{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,26]],"date-time":"2026-06-26T21:17:58Z","timestamp":1782508678150,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,9]],"date-time":"2026-01-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767916800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Effective communication is a fundamental competency in veterinary medicine that shapes the quality of veterinarian\u2013client relationships, shared decision-making, and animal welfare. However, consistent and systematic integration of communication training across veterinary curricula remains uneven worldwide. Methods: This scoping review mapped and analyzed educational programs aimed at developing communication competencies in veterinary education and professional practices. A systematic search was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying 37 eligible studies published between 2005 and 2024. Results: Most publications were in English and originated from North America, particularly Canada (n = 15) and the United States (n = 8). Regarding target populations, 15 studies (40.5%) focused on veterinary students, 12 (32.4%) on practicing veterinarians, 8 (21.6%) on animal owners or clients, and 2 on veterinary educators. 18 studies (48.7%) described structured programs that used active learning strategies such as role-play, clinical simulations, peer-assisted learning, and formative feedback. The competencies frequently emphasized include empathy, active listening, nonverbal communication, conflict resolution, and rapport building. Notable best practices included the Calgary\u2013Cambridge model, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and reflective video analysis. Conclusions: The available evidence indicates a growing emphasis on clinical communication within veterinary education, primarily implemented through experiential and practice-based approaches. However, substantial gaps persist in the representation of Latin American contexts and in the systematic, longitudinal integration of communication skills across veterinary curricula. Addressing these gaps may contribute to more coherent, equitable, and context-sensitive communication training in veterinary education.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci13010063","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,9]],"date-time":"2026-01-09T08:09:06Z","timestamp":1767946146000},"page":"63","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Communication Skills Training in Veterinary Education: A Scoping Review of Programs and Practices"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Ver\u00f3nica","family":"L\u00f3pez-L\u00f3pez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Departamento de Ciencias Cl\u00ednicas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Oficina de Educaci\u00f3n M\u00e9dica Veterinaria, Chill\u00e1n 3812120, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Montserrat","family":"Poblete Hormaz\u00e1bal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Departamento de Ciencias Cl\u00ednicas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Oficina de Educaci\u00f3n M\u00e9dica Veterinaria, Chill\u00e1n 3812120, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sergio","family":"Cofr\u00e9 Gonz\u00e1lez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Departamento de Ciencias Cl\u00ednicas, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Chill\u00e1n 3812120, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Constanza","family":"Sep\u00falveda P\u00e9rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oficina de Educaci\u00f3n M\u00e9dica Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Chill\u00e1n 3812120, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1556-4250","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carolina","family":"Mu\u00f1oz P\u00e9rez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Escuela de Educaci\u00f3n, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Los \u00c1ngeles 4451032, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rafael","family":"Zapata Lamana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Escuela de Kinesiolog\u00eda, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tom\u00e1s, Los \u00c1ngeles 4441171, Chile"},{"name":"Escuela de Educaci\u00f3n, Universidad de Concepci\u00f3n, Los \u00c1ngeles 4451032, Chile"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cvsm.2006.10.003","article-title":"It may be a dog\u2019s life but the relationship with her owners is also key to her health and wellbeing: Communication in veterinary medicine","volume":"37","author":"Adams","year":"2007","journal-title":"Vet. 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