Communication Models: Integrating Theory Into Practice

This chapter introduces a variety of communication models as the means by which to structure consultations. In the absence of structure, healthcare providers may fail to acknowledge or address key concerns raised by the human patient or veterinary client. When concerns are not addressed, shared understanding may not be reached, and the resulting management plan may be unclear (at best) or not adhered to (at worst). The following models are named in this chapter and explored: the Balint model, the Byrne–Long model, Pendleton's model, Neighbour's model, and the Calgary–Cambridge model. The Calgary–Cambridge model is a skills-based, patient-centered framework for veterinary consults that has been adapted by the author and her colleague Teresa Graham Brett. Seven variations of the model (feline, canine, equine, caprine, avian, porcine, and reptilian) were designed to pair with species-specific content and strategically highlight key areas of focus for each class session within the context of the greater whole. These models are provided for reference in Appendix B.