Experiential Learning in Primary Care: Impact on Veterinary Students’ Communication Confidence

Abstract

Experiential learning is essential in medical and veterinary student education and can improve students’ communication with clients during medical appointments. There is limited research in veterinary education investigating the effectiveness of experiential learning environments to provide an integrative approach to teaching. The present study uses an experiential learning environment to introduce an integrative approach to communication skills training in veterinary clinical education. Participants were final year veterinary students whose self-confidence around 28 common clinical communication statements frequently discussed in clinical practice was assessed before and after a 3-week experiential learning rotation. Client and veterinary doctor ratings on students’ performance were also assessed. Students’ self-confidence in all but one of the clinical communication statements improved significantly ( p < .05). Veterinary doctor and clients’ ratings were overall positive. The results from this study supports the use of experiential learning to promote an integrated learning approach in veterinary education.