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GOOD communication makes for a more effective and contented veterinary surgeon, nurse, receptionist and practice manager, and the entire practice can benefit from improved communication skills. In this article, Liz Mossop and Carol Gray describe the Calgary-Cambridge guide, a consultation tool used to teach communication skills in veterinary schools. It lists the simple steps and techniques required for practitioners to communicate effectively with their clients, which ultimately results in a better outcome for patients and better business for the practice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

IN the wake of bad news, there is often the need for difficult decisions to be taken regarding the treatment of an animal. Following on from the recent article on breaking bad news (February 2004, pp 103-105), Cathy Jackson, a GP and lecturer in consultation skills, draws on her experience from the human field to give some pointers as to how vets can ease the decision-making process for their clients. In the box on page 224, Carol Gray, a veterinary surgeon and lecturer in communication skills, discusses how the principles of evidence-based medicine should be incorporated into decision-making in order to achieve the best, informed decision for clients and their animals. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A COMMON challenge facing veterinary surgeons and their counterparts in human medicine is the need to communicate effectively with clients and patients, respectively. The challenge is all the more acute when there is bad news to impart. In this article, Cathy Jackson, a GP who provides consultation skills training to the medical profession, gives some advice for making these difficult consultations as pain-free as possible; in doing so, she draws on her own experiences as a veterinary client. In the box on page 104, veterinary surgeon Carol Gray, a lecturer in veterinary communication skills, describes steps being taken to introduce communication skills training into the veterinary curriculum, and discusses some factors specific to veterinary consultations that have a bearing on this area of communication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The author comments on the article "Anaesthetic death: who pays?" by Anne Fawcett in the May 20113 issue. The author remarks that veterinarians cannot charge the client if the animal do not come through the procedure to maintain confidence and goodwill in the veterinary practice. The author also cites that veterinary surgeon involved in the anaesthetic death can use the incident as a focus for discussion and evaluation of adverse outcome.