Teaching Tip: Improving Students' Email Communication through an Integrated Writing Assignment in a Third-Year...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Medical Education
• Health Communication

Background:

• Effective veterinarian-client communication is crucial for veterinary practice success.
• Written communication is a key method for sharing information between veterinarians and clients.
• Tailoring communication to client needs and health literacy levels is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the integration of a mock electronic mail assignment in a veterinary toxicology course.
• To assess veterinary students' written communication skills for client information sharing.
• To provide baseline data for developing future writing instruction modules.

Main Methods:

• A mock electronic mail assignment was implemented in a veterinary toxicology course.
• Student writing samples were analyzed by two independent raters.
• A coding scheme assessed adherence to effective written health communication guidelines.

Main Results:

• Most students performed satisfactorily or required further development in written health communication.
• Current student writing often needs improvement for optimal client understanding.
• Specific areas for development include the use of examples, metaphors, analogies, and visuals.

Conclusions:

• Veterinary students require additional instruction and practice in client-focused written communication.
• Emphasizing tools like examples and visuals can improve text comprehensibility and memorability for clients.
• Writing assignments should be effectively integrated into the veterinary medicine curriculum.