New Communication Skills Assessment Task Force Continues Research into Assessment Methods

Every 5-7 years the ICVA conducts a practice analysis to determine what veterinarians are asked to do once they first enter the profession in a clinical practice. From there an assessment strategy is created that serves as the blueprint for the NAVLE.

Communication Competency Assessment

The most recently NAVLE practice analysis revealed that communication is a very important competency for entry level veterinarians. The ICVA Board of Directors recognized a need to further explore how best to assess the competency of communications skills. They created the Communications Skills Task Force to identify methods of assessment that could provide sound scores for communication skills.  

The Communications Skills Assessment task force consists of six total members, all of whom teach communications skills in veterinary schools across North America and have in-depth experience assessing communications:

Co-Chairs:

Cindy L Adams MSW, PhD

Professor, Veterinary Clinical & Diagnostic Sciences

University of Calgary, Veterinary Medicine

Jack Wilson, DVM

Senior Professional Skills Instructor

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Calgary

Task Force Members:

Dr. Jason Coe – Ontario Veterinary College

Dr. Julie Cary – Washington State University

Dr. Jane Shaw – Colorado State University

Dr. Elpida Artemiou – Ross University