Book excerpt: Communicating ideas in veterinary medicine is a fundamental part of continuing veterinary research and building a career as a clinician. The purpose of this book is to help increasing efficiency and effectiveness in writing professional documents, e.g. writing a concise yet thorough discharge statement to avoid repeated client call-backs to clarify medical recommendations. The book also aims at improving the reader’s confidence in writing skills through guided and well-thought out “homework” or practice exercises. Useful for both veterinary students and practising vets, Writing Skills for Veterinarians addresses how to develop and hone veterinary medical and scientific writing techniques. The basics of veterinary writing and why it matters are covered before concentrating on specific written models expected of vets – creating medical documents, client and colleague communications, report writing, journal articles and research papers and presentations. At the end of the book is a resource-bank of additional exercises relating to each type of document. 5m Books