The Perception of the Concept of Communication Between Teacher and Student in Veterinary Education

Communication is acknowledged as an important factor in practicing veterinary medicine and is part of the “Day One Skills” of a graduate. OIE (The World Organization for Animal Health) and other organizations responsible for generating global education policies, recommend that communication courses are integrated within the curricula of veterinary medicine faculties. Additionally, effective communication between teachers and students is an essential factor in the achievement of a high quality veterinary medical education. In order to gather primary information about how communication is perceived in the community of teachers and students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania, a paper questionnaire with open questions was administered to 159 participants: 135 students and 24 teachers. Communication in the teacher-student relationship was rated as very important by 100% of the teachers and by 88% of the students. However, communication between teachers and students was considered poor by 18% of the respondents, the degree of dissatisfaction increasing as students approach the end of their studies. Our study highlights the need for communication training of all those involved in the teaching-learning process and a greater awareness of the role that communication plays in the teaching process, to ensure students develop the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a veterinary graduate. Using the questionnaire proved to be a simple and quick tool to capture the perception of the concept of communication between teachers and students.