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Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Advancing Clinical Communication in Veterinary Medicine: Research and Practical Applications
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Advancing Clinical Communication in Veterinary Medicine: Research and Practical Applications

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 July 2025) | Viewed by 1692

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Elpida Artemiou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
Interests: clinical communication; simulations and emerging technologies; Human–Animal Bond (HAB); human and animal wellbeing
Prof. Dr. Cindy Adams

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Interests: clinical communication; veterinary education; assessment; animal welfare; population health; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The International Conference on Communication in Veterinary Medicine (ICCVM) stands as the premier educational event dedicated to advancing veterinary communication skills on a global scale. Through evidence-based methodologies and skill development, the ICCVM fosters excellence in clinical communication and collaboration among veterinary professionals.

Since its inception in 2004, the ICCVM has been hosted internationally, uniting veterinary surgeons, researchers, and other related professionals from across the globe. Effective communication is widely recognized as a core clinical competency, essential not only for ensuring economic viability, but also for meeting the evolving demands of veterinary care delivery. Research consistently underscores the importance of communication as a foundational "day one" clinical competency. It is directly linked to enhanced patient outcomes, improved adherence to diagnostic and treatment plans, higher satisfaction levels among care providers and clients, reduced client complaints, fewer medical errors, and a diminished risk of legal disputes.

This Special Issue features cutting-edge research and clinical evidence presented at the 2024 ICCVM, as well as extending an invitation to a broader professional audience engaged in veterinary communications, veterinary practice, research, and client interactions. Broadly, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of advancements in veterinary communication, addressing practical applications across diverse aspects of communication competence. These include veterinary-client interactions, interdisciplinary professional collaboration, navigating complex and sensitive communication scenarios, and promoting health and prevention strategies. This publication also aims to bridge the gap between veterinary practitioners and researchers by incorporating the established and emerging literature to offer insights into effective communication practices.

By examining the latest evidence-based approaches, this Special Issue seeks to enhance understanding and foster practical applications that contribute to the success and sustainability of the veterinary profession.

We look forward to sharing the invaluable resources that highlight the pivotal role of communication in veterinary medicine and offer practical tools to navigate the challenges and opportunities of modern veterinary care.

Prof. Dr. Elpida Artemiou
Prof. Dr. Cindy Adams
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • clinical communication
  • communication skills
  • wellness and wellbeing
  • adherence
  • relationship-centered medicine

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 771 KB  
Article
Attitudes Towards Animals and Calf Disbudding Techniques: A Mixed Methods Study Using the Animal Attitude Scale (AAS-10)
by Andrea D. Calix, Pablo Lamino, Howard Rodríguez-Mori, Arlene Garcia and Elpida Artemiou
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100939 - 28 Sep 2025
Viewed by 420
Abstract
Calf disbudding is a routine practice in the dairy industry to prevent horn growth and reduce the risk of injury to animals and handlers. However, growing public concern about animal welfare has raised questions about the acceptability of common disbudding methods. This study [...] Read more.
Calf disbudding is a routine practice in the dairy industry to prevent horn growth and reduce the risk of injury to animals and handlers. However, growing public concern about animal welfare has raised questions about the acceptability of common disbudding methods. This study explored public perceptions of caustic paste and hot-iron disbudding using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative survey analyses captured measurable trends while iterative qualitative analysis explored the underlying reasons behind participant’s attitudes. A convenience sample with a total of 511 Texas resident participants completed a 44-item online survey that included demographic questions, the Animal Attitude Scale (AAS-10), and image-based evaluations of the two techniques. Quantitative analysis using factor analysis and multiple regression revealed that concern for animal welfare and justification for animal use were the most significant predictors (p < 0.001) of method acceptability, with caustic paste generally viewed as more humane. Qualitative responses reinforced these results, identifying themes of animal suffering, ethical concerns, and a widespread lack of public knowledge. While caustic paste was preferred, skepticism toward hot-iron disbudding was more pronounced among low-income participants. Nonetheless, when properly performed with pain control, hot-iron disbudding is often considered a more controlled and welfare-conscious method due to faster healing times and reduced risk of injury to other animals from paste exposure. These findings underscore the need for consumer education and transparent communication from the dairy industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Clinical Communication in Veterinary Medicine: Research and Practical Applications)
19 pages, 331 KB  
Article
My Workplace Is Not a Safe Place: Transgressive Behavior and Workplace Harassment in Veterinary Clinics in the Netherlands
by Jolanda Jansen, Quintie Stoel and Theo J. G. M. Lam
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090870 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Workplace harassment and transgressive behavior—including aggression, bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination—is a growing concern in society, including veterinary practice, worldwide. This study explores its prevalence in Dutch veterinary clinics serving different animal species, using an anonymous online survey conducted between December 2023 and [...] Read more.
Workplace harassment and transgressive behavior—including aggression, bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination—is a growing concern in society, including veterinary practice, worldwide. This study explores its prevalence in Dutch veterinary clinics serving different animal species, using an anonymous online survey conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. In total, 632 responses were included in the analyses. The respondents were grouped into veterinary support staff, i.e., nurses, technicians, and receptionists (54.1%), veterinarians (35.1%), practice managers (9.7%), and other (1.1%). The respondents mostly identified themselves as female (94.0%). The findings reveal that 69.6% of respondents experienced at least one form of transgressive behavior in 2023. Aggression was the most common (59.7%), followed by bullying (35.8%), discrimination (14.1%), and sexual harassment (5.9%). Younger professionals (aged ≤ 30) and veterinary support staff reported significantly more aggression and bullying than other groups (p < 0.005). Client-related incidents dominated aggression and bullying (p < 0.001), while colleagues and supervisors together accounted for most discrimination (p < 0.001). The results underscore an urgent need for interventions and cultural change in the veterinary sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Clinical Communication in Veterinary Medicine: Research and Practical Applications)
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