The Argus Institute in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is bringing back its FRANK workshop, designed to improve veterinary-to-client communication. The upcoming workshops are scheduled for June 10-11 and Aug. 5-6 at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
“Poor communication between veterinarians and their clients can cause stress to pet owners, veterinarians and the pets,” said Dr. Jane Shaw, Director of the Argus Institute. “To address the issue, FRANK, a communication training program for veterinarians, helps sharpen interpersonal skills, which ultimately improves animal health care and pet owner satisfaction.”
Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, Colorado State University and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, "FRANK: An Interactive Veterinarian-Client Communication Workshop" provides formal training in medical communication. FRANK helps veterinarians gather a more complete pet history, build collaboration with clients, encourage pet owners to be more involved in veterinary visits, and clearly communicate with the pet owner about expectations, next steps and limitations in care.
Taught in small groups, the 12-hour workshops feature one instructor per five veterinarians and simulated clients portrayed by real-world actors who act out scenarios based on real-life cases so veterinarians can practice communication skills with the instructor in the room.
Participants also work together and identify effective approaches to client communication. The group watches the interaction between a veterinarian who is participating in the workshop and actors through two-way windows into exam rooms. The group later provides suggestions about the veterinarian-client interaction. The sessions are videotaped for the participant's later review. Skills taught in the workshops are based on more than 40 years of medical communication research.
More information about FRANK workshops and registration is available at the Department of Clinical Sciences website at http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/clinsci/ce/frank%20workshop.html.
