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Veterinarian-client-patient communication patterns used during clinical appointments in companion animal practice.
- Source :
-
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association [J Am Vet Med Assoc] 2006 Mar 01; Vol. 228 (5), pp. 714-21. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Objective: To identify communication patterns used by veterinarians during clinical appointments in companion animal practice.<br />Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.<br />Sample Population: A random sample of 50 companion animal practitioners in southern Ontario and a convenience sample of 300 clients and their pets.<br />Procedure: For each practitioner, 6 clinical appointments (3 wellness appointments and 3 appointments related to a health problem) were videotaped. The Roter interaction analysis system was used to analyze the resulting 300 videotapes, and cluster analysis was used to identify veterinarian communication patterns.<br />Results: 175 (58%) appointments were classified as having a biomedical communication pattern, and 125 (42%) were classified as having a biolifestyle-social communication pattern. None were classified as having a consumerist communication pattern. Twentythree (46%) veterinarians were classified as using a predominantly biomedical communication pattern, 19 (38%) were classified as using a mixed communication pattern, and 8 (16%) were classified as using a predominantly biolifestyle-social communication pattern. Pattern use was related to the type of appointment. Overall, 103 (69%) wellness appointments were classified as biolifestyle-social and 127 (85%) problem appointments were classified as biomedical. Appointments with a biomedical communication pattern (mean, 11.98 minutes) were significantly longer than appointments with a biolifestyle-social communication pattern (10.43 minutes). Median relationship-centered care score (ie, the ratio of client-centered talk to veterinarian-centered talk) was significantly higher during appointments with a biolifestyle-social communication pattern (1.10) than during appointments with a biomedical communication pattern (0.40).<br />Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Results suggest that veterinarians in companion animal practice use 2 distinct patterns of communication. Communication pattern was associated with duration of visit, type of appointment, and relationship-centeredness. Recognition of these communication patterns has implications for veterinary training and client and patient outcomes.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0003-1488
- Volume :
- 228
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16506932
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.5.714