The 4th Annual International Conference on Communication in Veterinary Medicine
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We thank the delegates who attended ICCVM in Banff November 13-16, 2008!
What an incredible experience at the Banff Centre for Management, nestled in the heart of the spectacular Rocky Mountains. The main meeting room had a wall of windows overlooking the mountains which provided inspiration and energy all through the conference!
We learned, shared, networked and enjoyed the camaraderie of meeting with colleagues from around the world. ICCVM delegates this year were from across Canada, USA, the UK, Australia, Japan, and the Caribbean! This provided a rare opportunity to share ideas with people who are passionate about communications in veterinary medicine and network with many experts from around the world.
Many of the conference presentations are now posted on the website in addition to some memorable photos.
Thank you to the speakers for their commitment to ICCVM by providing the most current information to improve communications in veterinary medicine.
As Tony Suchman eloquently stated in his opening keynote address, veterinary medicine is all about relationships. We now know how to be better reflective listeners and are on the road to ensure that communications is a core competency in animal health. “We can’t take for granted that people know how to show that they care. Thinking isn’t enough. It’s the motor behaviours that we put into expression which will help us b better communicators. We can’t leave it to chance, this needs to be recognized as a core competency”.
Dr. Suchman reminded us all of the PEARLS in relationships: partnerships, empathy, acknowledgement, respect, legitimization and support. We must believe in the capacity of the other person and to always respond with empathy in our clinics and our work. We leave here knowing three important steps in relationship building: show up and invite partner to do so; speak your truth and listen to understand the truths of others; value differences as a resource. (For more information on Dr. Suchman’s work, visit the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare – www.aachonline.org)
We spent Friday evening with world renowned bear specialist Charlie Russell who showed his award winning BBC documentary on his life working with bears in Russia. A fascinating individual, there were tears and a lot of laughter as we shared Charlie’s dream.
Saturday evening was a total Alberta experience with a barbecue dinner and line dancing around a mammoth fire pit on a mountain top! A special treat for everyone and especially the international delegates!
The conference wrapped up on Sunday with an energizing drumming workshop lead by master drummer David Thiaw of Calgary. Using our hands and music to create communications without words, this inspiring workshop shows how to express ourselves in a creative manner.
People loved the quaint village of Banff with wonderful dining and shopping. The weather was perfect with a giant snow fall on the final day so that everyone could get a taste of Banff in winter! Some people even enjoyed the opening weekend of skiing at nearby Sunshine Village.
The response to the ICCVM program was passionate. People loved the interactive workshops and these will be expanded in the future. The simulated clients and role playing provide a highly effective learning environment.
Lastly we would like to thank the ICCVM sponsors, without whom we could not hold this conference. We are grateful to the University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine School, Medi-Cal/Royal Canin, Bayer Animal Health, Nestle Purina, Novartis and Washington State University. These sponsors are dedicated to providing first class education for improving communications in veterinary medicine. We applaud your leading edge participation.
If you did not have the opportunity to fill out an evaluation on-site, please send your comments to us via email. Together we will create the next ICCVM.
