Maximizing Communication

Good communication skills are a cornerstone of successful veterinary practice. While strong communication skills are of benefit in all aspects of veterinary medicine, they become even more critical in highly charged situations such as emergency room visits. Some clinicians express concern in regard to use of these skills due to the belief that they will increase the time spent with owners. However, while some aspects of core communication may be more time consuming, many aspects can save time during the visit and in the long run. The core skills of open-ended questions, reflective listening, empathy, and non-verbals can be applied in the ER setting for the benefit of the client, patient, and clinician.