Connecting with Clients

This Verbal Communication in a Clinical Setting blog is the second part of a two-part blog series on Clinical Communication. To learn more about Nonverbal Communication in a Clinical Setting, read our blog posted earlier this month. Verbal Communication With verbal communication, what you say is not as important as how you say it. The context in which your words are spoken has the greatest impact on the message you are trying to convey. The effectiveness of verbal communication is affected by the words you choose, your grammar, and the tone, volume, and pitch of your voice. Effectiveness is also… Continue Reading

The general consensus is that clinical nonverbal communication skills and relationship building techniques can be taught — and learned! The following skills are proven essentials for building relationships. They can be used to implement your communication protocols. Before using these skills, identify the outcome you want to achieve and the skills that are most likely to help you meet your goals. Keep in mind that several skills can be used simultaneously. Nonverbal Communication You may be surprised to learn that the majority of messages sent between people are conveyed nonverbally. In fact, psychologist Albert Mehrabian says that only 7 percent… Continue Reading

Just as there are many kinds of veterinary medical care–like routine, palliative, and emergency–there are also many types of clinical communication. For example, one set of interview skills may be required to elicit information from a client during a wellness appointment. However, the skills needed to facilitate a problem appointment or to comfort a client whose pet has just died may be quite different. Why You Need A Communication Plan When cases involve special circumstances or human emotions, they require a communication plan that aims toward building caring client relationships as well as conveying medical information. A communication plan or… Continue Reading

Veterinary communication has come a long way since the first publication of my book Connecting with Clients in 1998. Even a couple decades ago, communication was considered a “soft science” topic. It was taught only occasionally through seminars and conference workshops. Today, several professional veterinary medical schools conduct research in the subject matter. Coursework in clinical communication skills is included as part of their core curriculum. In addition, training in health-care communication is sponsored by both corporate and professional veterinary medical groups. It is offered nationwide, as well as online. At long last, learning to connect or communicate effectively is recognized… Continue Reading