What vet medicine can take out of a military playbookMarch 20, 2024Over the past decade or so I've witnessed the rising popularity of a practice style I've snarkily termed "frogmarched" vet care; To force (someone) to walk forward by holding and pinning their arms from behind. In its most effective manifestation, clients are shuttled through a scripted process involving rapid-fire assessments and minimal human interaction. The goal is to increase productivity and maximize profitability by minimizing time-consuming client-staff interactions. In this way, patients are attended more quickly, and clients' wait times are curtailed. Here is how it works in emergency care settings, where it is most often employed: Upon presentation, receptionists immediately convey basic client and patient details to triage technicians, who then assess the patient, confer with the attending veterinarian, devise a plan, present it to the client (via vet or tech), and provide an estimate (via reception or tech). Reception will collect payment or ensure a quick AMA kiss-off if the client is unable or unwilling to comply with the terms proposed. This way, clients are effectively vetted for financial enthusiasm and capacity up front with minimal in-person interaction, so the clinic avoids unduly expending limited space and personnel resources on less profitable cases. When deployed to perfection, this …
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Veterinarians have a responsibility to speak out about human rightsMarch 11, 2024"That said, does the profession also have an obligation to look after the well-being of people? I’m talking about human rights, diversity, and equal opportunity."
Practicing a spectrum of careMarch 11, 2024This approach ensures patients receive care that improves their quality of life, within the constraints of the pet family, while allowing veterinary teams to uphold their moral, ethical, ad legal obligations.
Four mistakes conference goers makeMarch 11, 2024Your investment of the registration fee, travel, meals, and time away from your practice could be costly if you make these post-conference mistakes
Homeless animal crisis in Houston tackled at 'The State of Animal Welfare Address'February 26, 2024During the Houston PetSet-hosted event, Mayor John Whitmire shared the administration’s plan to make the City of Houston a leader in the animal welfare community
Are you prescribing aconite (Monkshood, Wolf's Bane, Queen of Poisons)?February 24, 2024In the Chemistry World article titled, “The dead of aconite,”4 we learn that aconitine, an aconite alkaloid, is 100 times more lethal than strychnine.
Euthanasia: Not the worst part of the jobJanuary 22, 2024"The biggest threat to the veterinary psyche is not over the death of animals. It has more to do with their humans."
Navigating caregiver burdensJanuary 3, 2024Addressing and reducing the numerous burdens associated with long-term care plan can help improve the quality of life of the owner, the pet, and the veterinarian involved.
Tech disrespect and the rise of unionsDecember 26, 2023This month's column discusses the systematic ways in which our über-hierarchical profession too often relegates veterinary nurses-slash-technicians to roles several rungs below their veterinary-degreed colleagues.
Physiotherapy: Pain relief firstNovember 27, 2023Patient pain relief and management are critical to prepare them to reap optimal benefits from their physiotherapy.
