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Introduction in Studies. Applied Psychology II

Course developer

Prior knowledge

VeteB005, Introduction to studies. Applied psychology I

Replaced course

Psih1013 [GPSI1013] Introduction in Studies. Applied Psychology II

Course abstract

Students evaluate the possibilities of using scientifically proven theories and methods of health and social psychology in veterinary practice and improve the knowledge and skills necessary for maintaining their mental and emotional wellbeing and successful communication with the client.
The aim of the study course is to improve students' understanding of the importance of mental and emotional well-being in the professional career of a veterinarian, to promote awareness of psychosocial risks and their prevention factors, as well as to improve students' professional communication skills as one of the factors of their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
- understands the psychosocial risk factors of the veterinarian's work environment and their impact on a successful career – 1st independent task;
- understands the advantages and disadvantages of various conflict resolution strategies - 4th independent task;
- understands the advantages and disadvantages of using non-violent communication methods - 5th independent task;
Skills:
- knows how to use elements of the Calgary-Cambridge communication guidelines in consulting – group work during practical classes;
- knows how to evaluate the subjective suitability of findings gathered in the scientific literature about the grieving experience of clients and specialists in cases of animal death – 3rd independent task;
Competence:
- able to justify decision-making experience using decision-making theories - 2nd independent task;
- able to use the knowledge and skills developed during the course to create an individual resilience strategy – 6th independent task.

Course Content(Calendar)

In full-time face-to-face studies:
1. The impact of a veterinarian’s mental and emotional well-being on a successful career - 1h
2. Attachment theories and models. Human and animal roles in mutual relations - 1h
3. Doctor-client relationship models in cases of planned and emergency (urgent) care in veterinary medicine – 1h
4. Basic principles of consultation management in veterinary consultation. Use of Calgary-Cambridge communication guidelines in veterinary medicine – 1h
5. Creating the first impression in the relationship-oriented client-veterinarian interaction, the influence of the physical and psychological environment on the first impression - 2h
6. Active (reflective) listening – 2h
7. Questioning the client in the veterinary practice: use of open and closed questions - 2h
8. Providing feedback to the client: paraphrasing and summarizing – 1h
9. Peculiarities of communication in counselling stages – 1h
10. Decision-making theories and methods. Communication between the veterinarian and the client when deciding on the euthanasia of the animal - 2h
11. Informing the client about adverse health dynamics of the patient (“bad news”). Support for clients in mourning related to the loss of an animal - 2h
12. "Difficult" clients in veterinary practices. Strategies for overcoming conflicts in dealing with "difficult" clients - 2h
13. Use of non-violent communication techniques in conflict situations - 1h
14. Empathy in veterinary practice, burnout syndrome and compassion fatigue – 2h
15. Preventive measures in maintaining the mental and emotional well-being of the veterinarian - 1h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Formal Test A formal test by summing up a student‘s performance during a semester without an additional examination or test at the end of a study course. To successfully pass the course, and award credit points, it is mandatory:
1. Participation in at least 75% of lectures.
2. Participation in at least 75% of practical classes, active participation in group work, engaging in situation analysis.
3. All independent work has been submitted on time and assessed as passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1st independent task. Evaluation of the psychosocial risk factors of the veterinarian's work environment.
2nd independent work. Evaluation of decision-making experience (e.g. the decision to start veterinary medicine studies) according to one of the decision-making theories.
3rd independent work. Analysis of 2 scientific articles on the experience of bereavement in an animal shelter and in veterinary practice.
4th independent work. Identification and evaluating of conflict resolution strategy.
5th independent work. Evaluation of the possibilities of using non-violent communication methods in the work of a veterinarian.
6th independent work. Creation of an individual resilience promotion strategy.
All independent work must be done in writing and must be submitted electronically in the e-study platform (MOODLE) within the deadlines set by the instructor.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Each independent work is assessed as passed or failed in accordance with the criteria laid down there in.

Compulsory reading

1. Englar, R.E. (2020). A Guide to Oral Communication in Veterinary Medicine. Sheffield : 5M Publishing.
2. Vaine I. (2019). Veselības aprūpes un sociālajā jomā iesaistītā personāla un pacienta komunikācijas prasmju pilnveidošana. Metodiskais materiāls. Rīga: Veselības ministrija https://www.talakizglitiba.lv/sites/default/files/2020-01/65_Komunikacija_21.10.2019.pdf
3. Vaine I. (2019). Psihoemocionālā labklājība darba vietā un stresa menedžments. Metodiskais materiāls. Rīga: Veselības ministrija https://www.talakizglitiba.lv/sites/default/files/2020-01/66_Stresa%20menedzm_21.10.2019.pdf
4. Radford, A., Stockley, P., Silverman, J., Taylor, I., Turner, R., & Gray, C. (2006). Development, Teaching, and Evaluation of a Consultation Structure Model for Use in Veterinary Education. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 33(1), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.33.1.38
5. Shaw J.R., & Lagoni L. (2007). End-of-Life Communication in Veterinary Medicine: Delivering Bad News and Euthanasia Decision Making, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 37(1), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2006.09.010

Further reading

1. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE formerly OIE) (2015) Paris, France. Communication Handbook; Veterinary Services. https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Media_Center/docs/pdf/EN_Guide_de_Communication_FINAL.pdf
2. Olson, S.A. (2022). Creating Wellbeing and Building Resilience in the Veterinary Profession: A Call to Life. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
3. DeMello M. (2016). Mourning Animals: Rituals and Practices Surrounding Animal Death. Michigan: Michigan State University
4. Mārtinsone K., Miltuze A. (Red). (2015) Psiholoģija 2: Personība, grupa, sabiedrība, kultūra. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC
5. Rosenberg, M.B. (2015). Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Encinitas, CA : PuddleDancer Press

Periodicals and other sources

dvm360® magazine, https://www.dvm360.com/publication/dvm360-magazine

Notes

Compulsory course in the second cycle Vocational Higher Education Study Programme “Veterinary Medicine”