Taking down the wall: overcoming communication barriers in the exam room

Authors: Coe JB
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Practice Management, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Within any human-to-human interaction, communication barriers will arise from time-to-time that need to be managed in order to maximize the outcomes of the interaction. Within veterinary practice, a number of potential barriers can exist for veterinarians during exam-room communication with a client. Time pressures within a clinical interaction, client misinformation,1 and client resistance2 are communication barriers that have been identified to exist during interactions between veterinarians and their clients. Given that a successful veterinarian-client interaction is at the crux of providing excellent client service and patient care, it becomes critically important that veterinarians are equipped with communication skills to manage effectively these barriers in the exam room.

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