Implications of a Novel Method for Analyzing Communication in Routine Veterinary Patient Visits for Veterinary...

The patient-centered clinical method (PCCM), a model developed to characterize communication during patient-physician visits in the 1980s, identifies elements of patient-orientated, physician-orientated, and shared dialogue during the encounter. The model also includes elements that reflect the emotional aspects of these interactions, recognizing expressions of feelings and exchanges related to both personal and medical interests. Fifty-five routine veterinary patient visits in the United Kingdom and United States were analyzed using the novel application of a PCCM adapted for veterinary patient visits. The patient visits were video recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for frequency and proportion of PCCM elements observed. Elements representing the greatest proportion of patient visits were related to gathering information and shared decision making. Those representing the smallest proportion were related to signs of the presenting condition and effects of the condition on the clients' lives. Dialogue during the patient visits flowed iteratively and back and forth between the veterinarian and the client perspective. The findings suggest that patient visits are focused more on gathering information and planning rather than exploring effects of the health problem on the client's life, and that patient visits flow very iteratively and randomly between veterinarian and client perspectives. Both of these topics should be studied further and given emphasis in the way that communication models are developed and taught in order to enhance client-centeredness in veterinary patient visits.