Communication Skills Training in Veterinary Education: A Scoping Review of Programs and Practices

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Communication Skills Training
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial in veterinary medicine, impacting client relationships, decision-making, and animal welfare.
• Current integration of communication training in veterinary curricula is inconsistent globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map and analyze educational programs for communication competencies in veterinary education and practice.
• To identify trends, target audiences, and effective strategies in veterinary communication training.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Systematic search of literature published between 2005 and 2024.
• Analysis of 37 eligible studies on veterinary communication education.

Main Results:

• Most studies originated from North America, focusing on veterinary students and practicing veterinarians.
• Active learning strategies like role-play and simulations were common, emphasizing empathy, active listening, and rapport building.
• Best practices included the Calgary-Cambridge model and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Conclusions:

• Clinical communication is increasingly emphasized in veterinary education through experiential methods.
• Significant gaps exist in Latin American representation and systematic curriculum integration.
• Addressing these gaps can enhance veterinary communication training's coherence and equity.