What if communication was the most important clinical skill we have?

And what does communication have to do with wellbeing and job satisfaction?

How can we learn to improve our communication skills?

Find out the answer to these and more questions in our most recent episode on clinical communication! Host Petra Agthe and our guest Helen Øvregaard dive deep into the topic and touch on related themes such as trust, empathy, emotional intelligence, active listening, vulnerability, contextualised care and the power of a full and authentically expressed apology.

You can find more information about Helen and this fascinating topic below.

Communication techniques mentioned:

• The Four Habits Model
• Calgary-Cambridge Guide
• Motivational Interviewing

Books:
Skills for Communicating in Veterinary Medicine by Cindy L Adams and Suzanne Kurtz

Compassionomics by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli

Associations and Special Interest Groups:

Relationship-centred Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relationship-centred-veterinary-medicine-at-the-ontario-veterinary-college/posts/?feedView=all

Oslo Communication in Healthcare Education and Research https://ocher.no

Special Interest Group ‘Communication in Veterinary Healthcare’ as part of International Association for Communication in Healthcare: https://each.international/organisation/sigs/communication-in-veterinary-healthcare/

Where to find Helen:
Website: http://www.vettalk.no
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-øvregaard-31979151/

Previous episodes you may be interested in:

Active Listening with Mark Turner

Vulnerability with Megan Alderson

Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Mark Turner explore the power of an every day activity: listening. However, as so often, what seems a simple enough thing on the outside is actually a lot more difficult when we try to do it well.

And so it turns out that active listening is a skill that requires intention and sometimes a bit of practice. However, the benefits can be huge, because active listening is essential for building trust and psychological safety. But how can we get better at it? Listen in and you can find out more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books:
Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard by Megan Reitz and John Higgins https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51966260-speak-up

The Human Moment: The Positive Power of Compassion in the Workplace by Amy Bradley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51493034-the-human-moment

Podcast: Simon Sinek and Deeyah Khan about extreme listening https://simonsinek.com/podcast/episodes/extreme-listening-with-deeyah-khan/

Where to find Mark:
Website: https://vetqit.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-386a31111/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

My guest on this episode is Victoria Johnson. Victoria is the Founder and CEO of VET.CT. After graduating from Bristol Veterinary School, she worked in general practice before specialising in veterinary diagnostic imaging, becoming a European Diploma-holder in 2003. Founded in 2009, VET.CT provides remote specialist expertise in imaging reporting to veterinary teams across the word. Victoria has grown the company into an innovative veterinary teleradiology, specialist consultancy and education company with a global team of more than 280 people, striving to make the veterinary world a better place through its services. VET.CT recently attained B Corp status and is one of only 5 veterinary businesses in the world to have achieved this.

Victoria shares thoughts on her entrepreneurial character (inflatable pyjamas?!) and her 'busy brain'. We discuss the importance of working with, and not against, technology, responsibly, and with ever present focus on people, relationships and the team.

Resources:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Lencioni/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-to-Great/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Built-Last-Successful-Visionary-Companies/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In this episode, Clive Elwood hosts Amanda Boag. They discuss the similarities and the differences between leadership from the emergency room floor to the executive suite, and the importance of a unifying purpose. Amanda shares the important role models and how self-care and the support of others have been essential for her career.

Amanda graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1998 and subsequently completed further clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Pennsylvania, achieving board certification in both Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

She remained at the RVC, working as a Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care until 2008 when she joined Vets Now as Clinical Director, where she was responsible for clinical innovation, quality and veterinary professional development across 60 UK sites. She was subsequently appointed Chief Medical Officer at IVC Evidensia, where she led the learning and development and clinical leadership teams across the global business. In 2023 Amanda was appointed Vice Principal for Clinical Services at The Royal Veterinary College.

Amanda was an elected member of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council from 2012 to 2020 and served as its President from 2018 to 2019. She was also Founding President of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and is a Treasurer of the European Board of Veterinary Specialists. She is currently chair of Trustees for RCVS Knowledge.

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Megan Alderson are taking a deep dive into the fascinating topic of vulnerability. In their conversation they discuss what vulnerability means, how it relates to psychological safety and mental health, its role in leadership, importance of safe spaces, 'reading the room' and how to cultivate vulnerability as a skill.

*This episode includes references to mental health conditions and trauma*

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Online:
TED Talk with Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown's worksheets on values
Psych Health and Safety Podcast
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: https://mbsrtraining.com/

Books:
The Awakening Brain by Lisa Miller: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/313885/the-awakened-brain-by-miller-lisa/9780141991030
How to Take a Breath by Tania Clifton-Smith: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Take-Breath-performance-breathing-ebook/dp/B095HCZNLZ
Books by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books

Where to find Megan and the Vet Thrive Program:
Megan's email: megan@thestrandvet.co.nz
Vet Thrive Limited: https://www.vetthrive.org/
Vet Thrive Podcast on Spotify
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-alderson/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetthrive

More information and free resources on psychological safety:
Psych Safety by Iterum: https://psychsafety.com/psychological-safety-resources/
LeaderFactor based on 4 Stages of Psychological Safety Framework by Timothy R Clark: https://www.leaderfactor.com/resources

Previous Vet Mind Works podcast episodes you may be interested in:
Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Amy Martin is a registered veterinary nurse with over 20 years’ experience in clinical veterinary practice including 17 years in leadership. She has a keen interest in the mental health and welfare of the veterinary team becoming recently published on the subject. Amy is a Schwartz Rounds facilitator and mentor for The Point of Care Foundation, which has led her to an interest in compassion and team dynamics. Amy currently works as a Practice Director in a busy multi-site first opinion and referral group. Alongside this Amy coaches’ individuals and teams and is currently undertaking a Masters in People and Organisation Development.

Links

Amy can be reached via her website: www.magnoliacoaching.co.uk or hello@magnoliacoaching.co.uk

Link to publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6545-6285

Resources

Susan Cain: Quiet https://amzn.eu/d/5H7n529

Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart https://amzn.eu/d/9tacE5H

VetVoices 'Navigating conversations around suicide and the impact of social media' https://open.spotify.com/episode/51fnaSV8KNfTaVjbonVJb3?si=5d162f3c8c764294

VetLife https://www.vetlife.org.uk/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Ian Battersby became a RCVS and European Specialist in Small animal medicine in 2005 and subsequent worked within a large referral centre (Davies Veterinary Specialists UK) in which he held a number of positions including head of service and director. Alongside his clinical work, Ian participates in projects in which the companion animal sector can contribute to One Health. Of note, in 2012 he conceptualised and developed the BSAVA " Are you PROTECTING Antibiotics scheme " for which he received the BSAVA Melton Award and was awarded the RCVS Fellowship. Ian has served for 10 years as Chairman of the Trustees for the Charity Mission Rabies which specialises in Rabies prevention in underdeveloped countries. Ian is currently a Trustee of The Worldwide Veterinary service and Mission Rabies, a specialist advisor for the charity Street Vet and a member of the Defra (UK Government) CORE Rabies Group. In 2022 he was appointed as the Global Pharmaceutical Stewardship lead for Mars
Veterinary Health,
to facilitate the development of responsible prescribing initiatives across the group.

In this episode Clive and Ian discuss how episodes of adversity triggered action and change, leadership in a range of scenarios, imposter syndrome, the importance of recognising your strengths, complementing, and collaborating with others, meaningful wins, seeing, and seizing opportunities. Ian discusses the impact of dyslexia, struggles from a head injury sustained whilst riding his bike and the importance of sleep.

Ian mentions 'Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In this episode, host Clive Elwood is joined by Daniella Dos Santos. Together, they explore Daniella’s journey into, and experience of, veterinary leadership through a tumultuous period for the world. They discuss the importance of seizing opportunities, holding to principles and developing self-understanding, as well as acknowledging the toll taken on leaders during times of crisis. And tortoises come into it too!

Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012, having previously obtained a degree in molecular genetics due to a slightly longer than usual route to vet school. She practiced across the South-East of England in first opinion small animal practice, with an interest in exotics and latterly dentistry. In 2019 she became the youngest ever BVA President, guiding the profession through Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021 she became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession and was awarded the RCVS Inspiration Award for her leadership through the pandemic. She has been a trustee of various animal welfare charities and is currently a trustee for the Pet Plan Charitable Trust. In 2022 she joined IVC Evidensia as the Director of Professional Culture.

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay