Introduction:
Veterinarians struggle to disclose medical errors. Lack of communication training is one barrier to disclosure. The Bayer Animal Health Communication Project has a module that trains veterinarians and veterinary students in effectively communicating medical errors. Experiencing the module in a classroom setting offers some training on disclosing medical errors; we hypothesized putting these skills to practice in a simulated situation would further improve students’ confidence and competence disclosing medical errors.

Objective:
The objective was to improve veterinary students’ confidence and competence in disclosing medical errors.

Methods:
Second year veterinary students completed the Disclosing Medical Errors module (Bayer Animal Health Communication Project) in a classroom setting. Students then came to the veterinary teaching hospital and experienced a simulated client exercise where they were video recorded. Students entered exam rooms and took a history from a simulant client and then left the room. Upon leaving the room the student was given a scenario with the procedure performed and the medical error that had occurred. They were then given 10-15 minutes to prepare to communicate the error to the client. When they were prepared they entered the room again and disclosed the error to the client. The students received verbal feedback from the client and watched their video with 6-7 peers and one trained communications coach and received their feedback.

Findings:
Student verbal feedback indicated they felt more prepared to disclose a medical error in the future.

Discussion:
Objective assessment is being sought through evaluation of students with and without simulant training.     



Authors:
GILLIAM, LYNDI1*, LYON, SHANE, NAFE, LAURA, DEMARS, PAUL, HOLYOAK, REED
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States of America