The effect of communication skills training in bovine veterinary medicine
Effective communication skills (CS) are increasingly recognized as a key component of herd health and production management (HHPM). Clear conversations about goals, treatment options, and management changes influence farmer satisfaction and adherence to veterinary advice. Despite this, formal communication training has historically played a limited role in veterinary education. A series of studies aimed to evaluate the effect of various communication skills training methodologies on interactions between veterinarians and farmers during HHPM visits.
An applicability study of a CS training using the Veterinary DialogueTrainer (VDT), an online serious game using ‘digital role-play’ with avatars, revealed veterinarians showed progress across repeated simulations. Initial scores were low, but with practice most achieved scores >80%, suggesting that communication behaviors can be practiced in a simulated setting. Participants valued the tool and would recommend it to colleagues.
Subsequently, veterinarians’ communication during HHPM visits was measured using audio recordings. Composite communication processes (CP) were assessed using the Calgary-Cambridge Guide (CCG). Twenty-seven participating veterinarians recorded 127 visits with 120 unique dairy farmers. CCG communication processes ‘History taking,’ ‘Presenting information’ and ‘Safety net and follow-up’ were most prevalent. Other CCG processes such as ‘Agenda setting’ and ‘Needs determination’ were often lacking.
Finally, participants received various communication training interventions: 1) control, no intervention; 2) webinar, 1.5-days live online webinar; 3) VDT, using the VDT asynchronously; and 4) blended, combining webinar and the VDT. Participants audio recorded 330 HHPM visits with 209 unique farmers. The CP the veterinarians improved on post-intervention were particularly in areas closely aligned with their pre-existing communication styles, such as “History taking” and “Presenting options and advice”, but not as much in CP like “Agenda setting” and “Needs determination”. The modified Motivational Interviewing global score on which most veterinarians were able to improve, was “Partnership”. However, fewer veterinarians improved in the “Empathy” global score. So, targeted communication interventions led to improvements in specific communication skills among veterinarians, particularly in fostering partnership and providing advice. However, more challenging aspects of a HHPM consultation visit, such as empathy and non-directive communication, likely require more intensive or prolonged interventions. The results suggest that a blended approach, consisting of a webinar series with multiple instances of participating in an online training tool, to training may be effective in enhancing certain CS.
These studies underscore the importance of ongoing professional development in communication for veterinarians with the goal to improve HHPM consultancy, foster collaboration and, ultimately, improve herd health and welfare.
Take home messages for dairy veterinarians
- Communication skills can be practiced and improved through structured training, including digital simulations.
- Simulation tools offer safe and flexible opportunities to rehearse consultations before applying them on farms.
- Skills learned in training do not automatically transfer into practice; reinforcement through reflection, feedback, and repeated use is essential.
- Strong communication contributes directly to herd health management by improving farmer understanding, satisfaction, and adherence to veterinary recommendations.
Linda Dorrestein, DVM, PhD, graduated as veterinarian from Utrecht University in 2015. As a researcher she specialized in veterinary communication; She obtained her PhD in this field at the University of Calgary, Canada in 2025. Currently she is assistant professor at Utrecht University, working with both veterinary students and practitioners in the field of veterinary communication and professional development. Her research interests include clinical communication, motivational interviewing, and the use of educational technologies in veterinary training. Through her work, she aims to strengthen the link between veterinary education and the realities of veterinary practice.
