Will death do you part?July 7, 2018There’s an underlying expectation among pet owners that veterinarians understand the human-animal bond is everlasting. As such, how a veterinarian handles this end-of-life process can determine the client’s future relationship with the practice.
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Are small-town clinics on the way out?July 6, 2018Veterinary practice ownership, like the continental drift, is gradually moving and shifting across our time. The trend now points toward increased corporate ownership and practice consolidators, whereas previously there were more private, solo-owned practices.
Four steps to improved veterinary client complianceJuly 6, 2018Approaching veterinary client compliance is a multipronged process that includes determining who your client is, assessing your team, assessing the practice, and more. As a veterinary practice management consultant, I regularly meet veterinary professionals who struggle with client compliance. Why won't they accept our recommendations? Why don't they get it? How can I make them understand? They just don't want to pay. These are all common problems I am asked to help solve. Determine who your client is Before you attempt to increase client compliance, you have to figure out who your clients are. What does your target audience look like? What demographic are you serving? How does that compare to the mission and goal of the practice? If there is a disconnect between the type of pet owner coming in to your practice and what your practice is trying to deliver, success is going to be harder to achieve. Assess your team The second part of increasing client compliance is having a team that is well trained in interpersonal skills, communication styles, and fostering relationships with clients, pets, and each other. Creating a supportive culture and fostering comradery are the first two steps to having team members who …
Mission: Possible?July 5, 2018In the U.S., roughly 179 million households include pets. With the addition of 2.05 million U.S. farming operations and the millions of livestock being raised, the growing demand for veterinary services is a no-brainer.
10 pitfalls of an incomplete handbookJuly 4, 2018The employee handbook is an important tool for veterinary employers, yet many veterinary employers still do not have one, and those that do often have one that is outdated or inadequate.
Find a culture crush, not a culture clashJuly 2, 2018Veterinary hospitals employ many talented medical professionals, but it’s an establishment’s culture that really sets it apart. When applying for a position within a veterinary practice, will any job do or are you looking for the best long-term fit?
Patterson Veterinary, Cure Partners, launch NaVetor cloud-based PMSJune 28, 2018Patterson Veterinary and Cure Partners have formed a new business, Technology Partner Innovations LLC, which is launching a cloud-based practice management software, NaVetor. "NaVetor was designed to be beautifully easy," said Ali Hashmat, CEO of Cure Partners. "The software was created uniquely for veterinary practices to follow veterinary professionals' work day and workflow." NaVetor's features include: Quick-view dashboard – Important information consolidated into a single view Appointment calendar – Customizable display to quickly schedule or reschedule appointments Whiteboard – Snapshot view of everything happening in the veterinary practice Electronic medical records – Create and maintain paperless medical records for each patient Billing and financial management – Streamline administrative processes and easily manage the business side of practice Inventory – Manage inventory electronically to take the guesswork out of ordering and reordering Reporting – Manage the business and identify growth areas Conversion and training – Onboarding and support Visit navetor.com for more information.
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.
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 …
