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Over the millennia it’s incredible to think how sophisticated human communication has become. For the statisticians amongst you, there’s a wealth of data demonstrating the complexity of our various forms of communication too: Over a million words in the English language, >50,000 Chinese characters and - regardless of race - we commonly use 21 different facial expressions to express how we are feeling.

The area I find most fascinating is that of face-to-face communication where we unconsciously match and mirror the body language of those with whom we are in rapport and where words convey so little of the real meaning of a conversation. Tonality, gestures and movements at both the macro and micro level lead us to instinctively make judgments about someone’s sincerity or otherwise; subtle clues are rapidly processed as we draw visceral conclusions about what is really being said. Fascinating stuff.

Recently - very recently in human developmental terms - the advent of ever more sophisticated technology has facilitated a communication revolution where we can now make contact with multiple others, worldwide, at the touch of keypad. Yet whilst we are communicating during every waking moment, or so it would seem, one wonders if this can really be deemed progress when the nature of our interactions is limited to 140 characters or less, hashtags and mis-spelt, grammatically incorrect text-speak…even when a few emoticons are thrown in for good measure?

But if course it’s not all bad. Here in the veterinary world, technology has facilitated many improvements including the efficient transfer of patient information between geographically disparate facilities, better quality communication between practice staff and practice to client; the proliferation of social media has also helped raise the profile of the veterinary profession in a positive way, in addition to initiating and strengthening personal relationships with owners far and wide.

Technology has also made CPD both more affordable and more accessible to time-poor veterinary professionals. When Anthony Chadwick launched The Webinar Vet just 5 years ago, he took the veterinary world by storm and changed the learning landscape for ever. With more webinars than you can shake a stick at, The Webinar Vet now boasts more than 600 hours of quality, archived CPD all retrievable at the click of a mouse (and the relevant fees being paid, of course!)!

In this digital age it would be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that meetings may have had their day, but nothing could be further from the truth! Online communication for the transfer of knowledge and information is indeed booming in the veterinary world but it’s heart-warming to see that this is not happening at the cost of face-to face contact - certainly where vets are concerned it seems there is just no substitute for having a good old-fashioned get-together, chin-wag and perhaps the occasional beer!

Last week VetsNorth celebrated its 4th year as one of the newer ‘congress kids on the block’ and I had the pleasure of attending. The increase in delegates was more than matched this year by the growth of commercial stands (some 30 in total - in fact, some would-be exhibitors were even turned away!). That should come as no surprise with an agenda packed full of sessions ranging from in-practice pathology and forensics, pain management, dermatology, dentistry and more, including a small animal behaviour day. I looked in on lecture theatres that were quite literally “standing room only” despite the organisers arranging last-minute extra seating, following the arrival of unexpectedly high numbers of delegates on the day.

I came away from VetsNorth 2105 feeling ever so slightly chuffed. Face-to-face communication - which as a renowned chatterbox is comfortable territory for me! - is very much alive and kicking; in fact, the VDS were at Vets South running a session on these very skills which says something, doesn’t it?! For me the networking over lunch was as valuable as ever; there’s nothing better than sharing a joke with a friendly face for making a day out both memorable and enjoyable.

One can only conclude therefore that digital engagement has not put face-to-face on life support but instead is actually breathing new energy into our daily interactions on many different levels….

…and to make that very point, if you couldn’t attend VetsNorth this year then the lecture recordings are now available through The Webinar Vet. Hip hip hooray for technology!

Hooray too for the fact that technology will never be a substitute for meeting up with colleagues, it complements it, so if you wish to put next years’ date in your planner now, you can be sure to benefit from the CPD AND feel the buzz!

Vets North 2016 will be held on 22nd and 23rd June at the A.J. Bell Stadium, Manchester….keep a look out for further info to be published in Veterinary Practice. I hope to see you there!