TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving dairy organizational communication from the veterinarian's perspective
T2 - Results of a continuing veterinary medical education pilot program
AU - Moore, Dale A.
AU - Sischo, William M.
AU - Kurtz, Suzanne
AU - Siler, Julie D.
AU - Pereira, Richard Van Vleck
AU - Warnick, Lorin D.
AU - Davis, Margaret A.
PY - 2016/3/1
Y1 - 2016/3/1
N2 - The increasing size and complexity of US dairy farms could make it more difficult for a veterinary practitioner to effectively communicate protocol recommendations for prevention or treatment on the farm. A continuing education workshop was set up based on the results of research on dairy organizational communication on dairy farms, which resulted in a tool to assess dairy communication structure and flow. The workshop specifically focused on communication structure and whom to talk to when implementing health care changes in calf rearing. In addition, modern methods of veterinary-client communication knowledge and skills were provided. Primary outcomes of the workshops were to obtain feedback from participants about research findings and the communication model, to improve awareness about the complexity of communication structures on dairy farms, and to change participants' knowledge and skills associated with on-farm communication by providing communication theory and skills and an approach to evaluate and improve dairy organizational communication. Of the 37 participants completing the pre-program assessment, most recognized a need for themselves or their practice to improve communication with clients and farm employees. After the program, most participants were confident in their new communication skills and would consider using them. They highlighted specific new ideas they could apply in practice, such as conducting a "communication audit." The results from the assessment of this communication workshop, focused on dairy veterinarians, highlighted the need for communication training in this sector of the profession and practitioners' desire to engage in this type of training.
AB - The increasing size and complexity of US dairy farms could make it more difficult for a veterinary practitioner to effectively communicate protocol recommendations for prevention or treatment on the farm. A continuing education workshop was set up based on the results of research on dairy organizational communication on dairy farms, which resulted in a tool to assess dairy communication structure and flow. The workshop specifically focused on communication structure and whom to talk to when implementing health care changes in calf rearing. In addition, modern methods of veterinary-client communication knowledge and skills were provided. Primary outcomes of the workshops were to obtain feedback from participants about research findings and the communication model, to improve awareness about the complexity of communication structures on dairy farms, and to change participants' knowledge and skills associated with on-farm communication by providing communication theory and skills and an approach to evaluate and improve dairy organizational communication. Of the 37 participants completing the pre-program assessment, most recognized a need for themselves or their practice to improve communication with clients and farm employees. After the program, most participants were confident in their new communication skills and would consider using them. They highlighted specific new ideas they could apply in practice, such as conducting a "communication audit." The results from the assessment of this communication workshop, focused on dairy veterinarians, highlighted the need for communication training in this sector of the profession and practitioners' desire to engage in this type of training.
KW - Communication
KW - Continuing education
KW - Dairy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84962394062&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84962394062&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3138/jvme.0215-028R
DO - 10.3138/jvme.0215-028R
M3 - Article
C2 - 26751909
AN - SCOPUS:84962394062
VL - 43
SP - 33
EP - 40
JO - Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
JF - Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
SN - 0748-321X
IS - 1
ER -