What to do about growing stress in the veterinary professionNovember 30, 2017 Stress is an all-pervasive phenomenon in modern day societies and various professions, but the veterinary discipline suffers from the negative effects of stress and its sequelae at a troublingly disproportionate rate. A recent report, written by Richard W. Kim and his colleagues at the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Center for Animal and Human Health at Lincoln Memorial University, and School of Public Health at Jackson State University, published in the November 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, discusses the issue of negative stress in veterinarians and veterinary students and suggests a novel approach in combating this scourge. Pervasive problem with elusive effective change Negative stress, often called distress, is at the root of many mental health problems and dysfunctional behaviors. Surveys by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other researchers have found that veterinarians suffer two to three times the prevalence of serious mental illness and feelings of despair relative to the general population. According to a 2015 survey published by Nett et al in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, it has been reported that almost a third of veterinarians had experienced depression, with as high as …
SPONSORED CONTENTMore life to love for patients with certain types of canine CHF. See how different formulations help dog owners manage certain types of CHF in their pets. + Learn More
Avoid body language blundersNovember 22, 2017Doctors and technicians will talk to multiple clients today, tomorrow, and the next day about their pets’ dental diagnoses and treatments. Among those clients, how many will accept professional care recommendations? Your medical team can use teaching tools and persuasive body language to help guide pet owners’ decisions.
Ultrasound adviceNovember 16, 2017“An ultrasound machine that is a ‘must have’ for one practice may not hold the same status for another.” What seems like an obvious statement is testament to why veterinary practices must thoroughly evaluate exactly what equipment their practice needs.
Times and titles are changingNovember 15, 2017Over the past few years, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has stepped into a number of conversations that have spurred great debate in the community: transitioning from the term “veterinary technician” to “veterinary nurse.”
Next-gen clinicsNovember 14, 2017Today's veterinarians seek to create diverse hospital models that meet growing clinic and client demands. We look at how a progressive practice embraces facility upgrades and fosters an enhanced customer experience.
The case of the enforced noncompete clauseNovember 13, 2017The seller of a veterinary practice in Mount Pleasant, Pa., recently learned this the hard way. The case, Joseph v. O’Laughlin, illustrates the importance of noncompete agreements to buyers of veterinary practices—and the consequences of violating these pacts.
Jaguar Health receives AAVSB RACE approval for foal CENovember 13, 2017Jaguar Health Inc., a manufacturer of gastrointestinal products for both human prescription use and animals, announced today that the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) committee has reviewed and approved Jaguar's "Diarrhea in Foals" continuing education (CE) program as meeting the standards adopted by the AAVSB. The company's "Diarrhea in Foals" program has been approved by the AAVSB RACE committee to offer a total of 1.50 CE credits to each participating veterinarian or veterinary technician. The program may be repeated by Jaguar within the two-year program approval period at different locations and/or on different dates, with advance notice to AAVSB. "Participation in CE programs helps veterinarians and veterinary technicians remain apprised of current and cutting-edge veterinary care and helping veterinary professionals expand their clinical knowledge and learn about new technology helps them take better care of their patients," said Siobhan McAuliffe, MVB, DACVIM. Dr. McAuliffe served as the primary investigator for clinical studies conducted in 2015 for Neonorm™ Foal, Jaguar's plant-based antidiarrheal product for newborn horses.
Dispelling myths about entrepreneurship and practice ownershipNovember 7, 2017I had the rare opportunity to speak with Michael Gerber, management guru and best-selling author of The E-Myth Revisited and the E-Myth book collection, who recently co-wrote The E-Myth Veterinarian with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
Restrictive covenant: Mobile veterinarians and their vehiclesNovember 7, 2017 Like most domesticated animals, Maine coon cats require periodic care and treatment from a veterinarian. For my first Maine coon cat, I drove to the veterinarian's office, which was a stand-alone fixed brick-and-mortar location. However, for my second cat, my veterinarian brought her office to me in a vet mobile, a full-service veterinary hospital on wheels. This type of moving mobile practice can present some challenges when trying to construct and enforce reasonable and enforceable geographic restrictions for a noncompete or a nonsolicit. Wherever I may roam In Heiderich v. Florida Equine Veterinary Services Inc. (2012), an equine veterinarian entered into a one-year employment agreement that included a two-year post-termination noncompete. Dr. Heiderich was prohibited from owning, managing, being employed by, assisting, participating in, or having any material interest in any business or profession engaged in a general equine veterinary practice, located within a 30-mile radius of her former employer's place of business (a fixed, brick-and-mortar location). Heiderich resigned, opened her own office outside the 30-mile radius, but traveled to treat horses located within the 30-mile radius. The trial court issued a temporary injunction against her. It found that her office outside the 30-mile radius was of "no …
The hottest topic in veterinary medicine today: AffordabilityOctober 23, 2017It’s not the sexiest topic. Nevertheless, it has some attractive angles. That’s what I’ve learned about veterinary affordability-related issues over the past few years.
