Does your clinic's entrance frighten pets?June 27, 2018If you want to see first-hand one of the problems our profession faces, spend a couple of hours on a clinic stakeout. Park your car outside a couple of veterinary hospitals and watch pet owners enter the practice.
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5 tips for new veterinary clinic construction financingJune 26, 2018Whether you have outgrown your existing building, are expanding into new service areas, or are just ready to own your own space, you've made the decision to build a veterinary clinic from the ground up. The first step to turning your new dream clinic into a reality is to determine the type and amount of financing you require. This will lay the groundwork for everything you do moving forward, from site selection to equipment purchases. For veterinarians, it's important to speak with a lending expert who understands the unique needs of your practice. In addition to conventional loans, there are several Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to veterinary practices, each offering different benefits. A lender that specializes in veterinary financing will help you select the right loan and oversee all the financing details, so you can focus on the construction of your new clinic. When reaching out to a lender, there are several steps you can take to ensure the loan process goes smoothly so you can get the construction of your new veterinary clinic underway as quickly as possible: Establish a budget. Going to your lender with a comprehensive budget will save time and help curb potential …
What veterinary students want mostJune 25, 2018When considering improvements in veterinary students' education, veterinary colleges invariably focus on the subject matter of the veterinary medical curriculum. Everyone possesses some expertise in it and therefore believes he or she knows (arguably) what it should contain. However, to be an effective teacher, other attributes are necessary. Colleges should be giving more attention to the human dimensions of education. Recently, I participated in a study that allowed me to meet a number of current veterinary students and recent graduates and discuss their college experiences. This was not a statistically validated population survey; it was simply a collection of opinions. The results were interesting. Perceptions of the material content of the DVM curriculum and the professional and academic qualifications of the teaching faculty were pleasingly positive. However, respondents expressed concerns about rigid lecture formats, information overload, and the impersonal atmosphere of the classroom. What students wanted was a less homogeneous education that respected and accommodated them as individuals with unique backgrounds, needs, and prior learning experiences. Too often, students are persuaded that medical science is a set of hard facts, every detail of which must be memorized and recalled. However, scientific facts are seldom perfect or permanent; many in …
Why #metoo is for the vet professionJune 22, 2018It’s been 32 years since there was a 50-50 ratio of women to men entering the veterinary profession. Veterinary schools now report that more than 80 percent of their enrollees are female, and the percentage of women in the veterinary workforce tops 55 percent.
Future of wellness plansJune 21, 2018Wellness plans are not new; however, the uptick in popularity is fairy recent. Veterinary practices are now incorporating them into their business strategy instead of just casually offering them to their clients.
Four lessons from human dentistsJune 20, 2018Did you know only 38 percent of clients accept dental treatments for their pets? Poor case presentation skills may result in poor acceptance. Because dental and veterinary professions often mirror each other, I watch trends in dental practices and then adapt them for veterinary teams.
How the "crossover" speeds learning and increases incomeJune 15, 2018I recently heard about a fascinating concept called “the crossover.” I had never heard anything about it. There is no information online. I had never read a word in an article about it. Yet understanding this concept can dramatically accelerate your career—by several years.
Giving the gift of team feedbackJune 14, 2018For veterinary team members, giving and receiving feedback can be a tough row to hoe. I recently asked a room full of veterinarians, managers, as well as technicians, “By a show of hands, who is good at giving and receiving feedback?” One hand went up right away and one other hand lifted, slowly and reluctantly.
Fiduciary duties of practice ownersJune 13, 2018As a veterinary practice owner, do you owe fiduciary duties to the other co-owners of your practice? If so, do you understand the nature of these obligations?
Uniting clinical and business aspectsJune 7, 2018Even though most practice management software programs feature high-level configuration, clinics should demand even more from their practice management software, according to industry experts.
