Characterization of Veterinarians’ Communication of the Companion Animal Physical Exam to Veterinary Clients

This thesis compromises two studies, the first identified the components of a baseline companion animal physical exam and the second described veterinarians’ communication of the companion animal physical exam. The Delphi Method of Consensus was used, involving a panel of 45 expert veterinarians, to identify 25 components of a baseline companion animal physical exam. These 25 components were reduced to 19 components included in a rubric to assess veterinarians use of 7 communication-linked parameters (i.e., the Talking Physical Exam) in relation to each component. During audio-video recordings of 376 veterinarian-client-patient interactions, involving 60 veterinarians, 56% of CAPE components examined were communicated as examined to clients. Gender of the veterinarian and type of appointment were found to be associated with veterinarians’ number of physical exam components conveyed. Results identify an opportunity for veterinarians to further communicate the companion animal physical exam to clients through use of the talking physical exam.