Good communication skills provide better clinical outcomes and help avoid minor as well as major mistakes. Approximately 60-80% of negligence claims against vets are related to poor communication, with new graduates especially vulnerable. Communication skills are a growing part of the curriculum in veterinary schools, recognising how fundamental clear communication is to good practice. A Guide to Oral Communication in Veterinary Medicine covers why communication skills are important, the structure of typical communications and suggested approaches, veterinary specific communication pathways and sample scripts between vet and client. Scenarios covered include everyday communication, dealing with challenging situations, different species, different settings, and communication within the veterinary team. The aim is to instil confidence and competence, build professionalism and avoid problems. Most current teaching is based on a toolbox approach developed from the human medicine model. However, there is no set standard for teaching methodology which is why this is primarily a book for students but also includes a section for educators to provide guidance in this nascent subject. 5m Books

This is the first definitive textbook on veterinary communication, written specifically for students and veterinary professionals by a group of international experts. Communication is a core clinical skill, and is now taught as a compulsory part of most veterinary degree courses. Good communication is crucial to the veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to patient health and ultimately to the success of any veterinary business. The book covers all the key areas of communication including: the basic framework for the veterinary consultation; professional, ethical and legal aspects; communication with clients and colleagues; and coping with end-of-life and other difficult situations. It combines the most up-to-date research with a wealth of practical information, such as: Real-life case studies to help you apply your learning to real scenarios Simple step-by-step guidelines showing you how to deal with specific situations Examples of written resources you can use in practice This valuable textbook has been written and edited by a carefully chosen group of specialists, comprising veterinary communication lecturers, veterinary practitioners, training managers and counsellors.

This workbook is intended to be a bridge between classroom learning and clinical training; to improve patient care and clinician confidence in practice. Common presentations in small animal practice are presented as real-world case studies while the reader is guided through work-up, critical thinking and problem solving to run the consultation efficiently. Key concepts of anatomy, physiology, radiology, clinical pathology, medicine and surgery are covered and readers are guided through history-taking and diagnostics to perform an effective consultation. Cases discussed include vaccinating the new kitten, castrating the new puppy, the puppy with diarrhoea, the blind cat, the head-shaking dog, the itchy dog. Categories of complaints covered include body weight, urinary problems, the digestive system, respiratory issues, eye problems, skin and soft tissue complaints, cardiovascular, reproductive, aural and neurological complaints. The aim is to present a problem-first approach and to encourage readers to think like clinicians rather than students by instilling a case-based problem solving approach. 5m Books

Communicating ideas in veterinary medicine is a fundamental part of continuing veterinary research and building a career as a clinician. The purpose of this book is to help increasing efficiency and effectiveness in writing professional documents, e.g. writing a concise yet thorough discharge statement to avoid repeated client call-backs to clarify medical recommendations. The book also aims at improving the reader’s confidence in writing skills through guided and well-thought out “homework” or practice exercises. Useful for both veterinary students and practising vets, Writing Skills for Veterinarians addresses how to develop and hone veterinary medical and scientific writing techniques. The basics of veterinary writing and why it matters are covered before concentrating on specific written models expected of vets – creating medical documents, client and colleague communications, report writing, journal articles and research papers and presentations. At the end of the book is a resource-bank of additional exercises relating to each type of document. 5m Books