Analysing how negative emotions emerge and are addressed in veterinary consultations, using the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES)

Abstract

Objective: To gain a deeper understanding of how clients’ expressions of negative emotion emerged during the veterinary consultation and how they were addressed by veterinarians. Methods: The Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences for client cues and concerns (VR-CoDES- CC) and health provider responses (VR-CoDES- P) were used to analyse 20 audiotaped veterinary consultations. Inter-rater reliability was established. The applicability of definitions of the VR-CoDES to veterinary consultations was identified, together with the need for specific modifications to suit veterinary consultations. Results: The VR-CoDES- CC and VR-CoDES- P generally applied to veterinary consultations. Cue and concern reliability was found satisfactory for most types of cues, but not for concerns. Response reliability was satisfactory for explicitness, and for providing and reducing space for further disclosure. Modifications to the original coding system were necessary to accurately reflect the veterinary context and included minor additions to the VR-CoDES-CC. Conclusion:.Using minor additions to the coding system it can be reliably adopted to assess clients’ implicit expressions of negative emotion and veterinarians’ responses in return. Practice implications: The modified VR-CoDES is of value as a tool for training veterinarians and others undertaking triadic consultations in recognizing and facilitating the expression of subtle and overt concerns by their clients.