Communication challenges experienced by veterinary professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Health
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered global veterinary practices.
• Restrictions necessitated changes in client-animal-veterinarian interactions.
• Adapting to new protocols impacted the delivery of veterinary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of pandemic-related changes on communication within veterinary clinical practice.
• To identify specific communication challenges faced by veterinary professionals.
• To inform strategies for effective communication in altered practice environments.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of data from a global survey of 540 veterinary professionals.
• Focus on a subset of data detailing communication experiences during the pandemic.
• The study involved veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and animal health technicians.

Main Results:

• Veterinary teams reported difficulties with face-to-face client contact and general communication.
• Challenges included demonstrating physical exams, diagnostic findings, and treatment plans remotely.
• Wearing personal protective equipment and convincing clients of protocol importance were also significant issues.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic necessitated significant adaptations in veterinary communication strategies.
• Veterinary teams experienced increased miscommunication and challenges in client adherence to protocols.
• Developing new communication methods is crucial for effective practice under social distancing and noncontact conditions.