Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The Talking Physical Exam: a communication tool for engaging clients during the companion animal physical exam.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Phillips, Erin et al.
- Affiliation:
- Ontario Veterinary College · Canada
Plain-English summary
A new approach called the Talking Physical Exam (TPE) has been developed to help veterinarians communicate better with pet owners during check-ups. This method involves the vet explaining what they are examining in the pet, whether it’s a dog or a cat, and sharing both normal and abnormal findings with the owner. The goal is to help pet owners feel more involved and understand what’s happening during the examination. This tool can make the experience more valuable for pet owners and improve their engagement with the vet. Overall, the TPE is a helpful way to enhance communication during physical exams.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To provide a video tutorial on the use of the Talking Physical Exam (TPE) in clinical practice. ANIMALS: Any dog or cat receiving a physical examination in the presence of a client. METHODS: The TPE consists of the veterinary professional verbally describing what is being examined on a patient during a companion animal physical examination and relaying normal and abnormal findings to veterinary clients. RESULTS: The TPE is a communication tool for supporting client engagement and enhancing client understanding during the companion animal physical examination. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The TPE is a practical tool that can assist veterinary professionals with engaging clients and has the potential to increase the value of the companion animal physical examination for veterinary clients in clinical practice.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40015241/