Turning a blind eye: How lack of communication with ER nurses nearly cost a patient permanent vision loss

This narrative presents a case in which a patient was treated for conjunctivitis, but a breakdown in several layers of communication (between the hospital and the patient, and between hospital personnel) resulted in multiple medical errors that nearly costs the patient permanent vision loss. This real-life case underscores how simple communication errors may lead to life-altering consequences. Recommendations for improving communication to ensure similar errors do not happen to others are provided

Evaluating veterinary practitioner perceptions of communication skills and training

A survey was conducted among veterinary practitioners in the UK and the USA in 2012/2013. Thematic analysis was used to identify underlying reasons behind answers to questions about the importance of communication skills and the desire to participate in postgraduate communication skills training. Lack of training among more experienced veterinary surgeons, incomplete preparation of younger practitioners and differences in ability to communicate all contribute to gaps in communication competency. Barriers to participating in further communication training include time, cost and doubts in the ability of training to provide value. To help enhance communication ability, communication skills should be assessed in veterinary school applicants, and communication skills training should be more thoroughly integrated into veterinary curricula. Continuing education/professional development in communication should be part of all postgraduate education and should be targeted to learning style preferences and communication needs and challenges through an entire career in practice

Fostering Students' Collaborative Learning Competencies and Professional Conduct in the Context of Two Gross Anatomy Courses in Veterinary Medicine

Peer reviewe

The impact of a research mentoring program on graduate trainees’ perceptions of mentoring competencies

Abstract This project explored the impact of a research mentoring program on the development of graduate trainees’ mentoring competencies. Graduate students participating in a research mentoring program completed the Mentoring Competency Assessment at the beginning and end of the program. Undergraduate students also provided an evaluation of their mentors’ competencies. Results show that graduate students’ perceptions of mentoring competencies increased from beginning to end of the program for 13 out of 26 competencies with mentors exhibiting moderate skill levels across all competencies as indicated by their self-report and undergraduate mentees’ perceptions of their mentors’ skills. These results provide support for the impact the research mentoring program has on graduate students’ perceptions of mentoring competencies over time

A Comparison of Public Perceptions of Physicians and Veterinarians in the United States

Veterinary medicine consists of virtually the same medical specialties as human medicine, with veterinarians performing similar roles as medical doctors, albeit with different species. Despite these similarities, anecdotally, some perceptions of veterinarians as not “real doctors” persist. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare public perceptions of physicians and veterinarians. Participants were provided brief definitions of a physician and a veterinarian and then asked to provide a rating that best describes their perception with respect to 25 different personality characteristics/traits. A sample of 606 participants (unweighted) in the United States completed the survey. The results of this research show that the public tends to perceive veterinarians more favorably than physicians. More specifically, veterinarians were viewed as more approachable, sensitive, sympathetic, patient and understanding, while physicians were viewed as more proud, arrogant and overconfident. These results point to the favorable public perceptions of veterinarians. These findings are particularly relevant for veterinary educators who train the future workforce and have a significant role both in how the profession is portrayed and emphasizing the relationship between the public trust and social responsibility. Reinforcing the public’s strong trust in the veterinary profession throughout students’ education could enhance their own self-concept, self-esteem and overall mental health and well-being

Increasing Team Effectiveness Through Experiential Team Training: An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Study of First-Year Veterinary Students’ Team Experiences

This article explores the impact of experiential team communication training on student team effectiveness. First-year veterinary students were concurrently enrolled in the Group Communication in Veterinary Medicine course and applied their knowledge to their authentic team experiences in the Veterinary Anatomy and Introduction to Clinical Problem Solving courses. All students completed a modified team effectiveness instrument and a team self-reflection at the end of the semester. Results show that students experienced a high level of team effectiveness. Although students experienced challenges with respect to staying on task and distributing roles and responsibilities, team coordination and communication improved over time, due in part to the team activities associated with the team training intervention. This research provides support for the impact of experiential team training to the development of team process skills and team effectiveness. </jats:p

Professional identity on the Web: Engineering blogs and public engagement

Blogs offer a space where engineers can engage with public audiences about engineering topics, challenging and surpassing a deficit model of science communication. Communication that is adapted for a broad audience, discusses topics that are socially relevant, and facilitates participation and dialogue is more likely to be engaging. We examined 14 top engineering blogs to see how engineers present themselves and how they communicate with the public. A qualitative content analysis of the communication, with an eye toward professional identity management, uncovered common themes associated with identity and self-presentation, leading to better understanding of how this unique communication genre serves to reinforce, question, and/or challenge popular representations of engineering identities and ideologies. Our analysis shows that despite the potential of blogs to facilitate engagement, engineers' reliance on an engineering style of communication may fail to engage public readers

Survey of Diplomates of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology Regarding Perceptions of the Value of This Certification

An anonymous, online questionnaire was sent to active diplomates of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology (DABVTs; n = 95) to determine the attitudes of veterinary toxicologists toward their ABVT certification and the adequacy of the training programs in this discipline. We gathered information related to demographics, educational and work history, and other specialty board membership. Ten questions sought the respondent’s opinion related to the economic value of the specialty, whether workforce shortages for DABVT exist, and whether DABVTs should complete a residency or graduate program. Fifty-one (54%) DABVTs responded. Their mean age was 58 and most (88%) held a graduate degree. When respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement (strongly disagree = 1; strongly agree = 5), most (73%) agreed or strongly agreed (median = 4) that there was a shortage of DABVTs. Fourteen (27%) participants strongly disagreed that the ABVT certification was required for their position, while 15 (29%) strongly agreed with this statement (median = 3). Most respondents agreed that the ABVT certification has been critical to their career (median = 4), in addition to a financial benefit to being a DABVT (median = 4). Most (67%) participants strongly or somewhat disagreed that current training programs are adequate to meet the shortage of DABVT (median = 2). Our findings indicate there is concern about the number of DABVTs and the adequacy of training programs to meet this perceived need. These findings improve our understanding of current attitudes of DABVTs toward their specialty. </jats:p