When veterinarians make mistakesAugust 26, 2016As I have confessed in this column many times before, I’m no poster child for veterinary practice. No one in their right mind would nominate me for clinician of the year. In fact, I’m prone to thinking my bad habits alone should probably disqualify me for any kind of a mentorship role.
SPONSORED CONTENTA new way to offer multi-organ supportNEW Hill's Prescription Diet Multi-Organ offers therapeutic nutrition for pets that may have conflicting nutritional needs. + Learn More
How the 'gig economy' affects the future of veterinary industryAugust 26, 2016In 2001, author Daniel H. Pink published Free Agent Nation: How Americans New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We Live. The term 'Free Agent Nation,' was one he coined back in 1997 to predict the trend in the workforce toward freelancing, temporary work, self-employment and the rise of independent contractors.
Study: Vets hold key to growing pet insuranceAugust 19, 2016Practitioners looking for a reason to actively recommend pet health insurance should consider this: The average policyholder spends $73 more a year on veterinary care for a dog and $118 more for a cat.
How is your veterinary practice business doing?August 18, 2016You might think that the answer to this question has to do with how up-to-date you are with the latest advances in veterinary medicine. Do you have the top-of-the-line equipment? Are your staff members trained in the latest specialties?
I'm terrified of conducting job interviewsAugust 17, 2016I am the owner and sole practitioner of a small animal hospital. Over the past 20 years, I have conducted dozens, maybe hundreds of interviews, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it or that I’m good at it. Actually, managing employees is one of my least favorite aspects of practice ownership.
Discover the silver lining in cloud-based PMSAugust 15, 2016We all know the lifeblood of any veterinary practice is the medical team and office staff. But remove the human component and what is the one aspect that enhances patient care and drives continuity and connectivity? The practice management system (PMS) serves that role and grounds the health care team.
Why you should offer day admissions at your vet practiceAugust 11, 2016A panicked pet owner calls you after cleaning up vomit and diarrhea. His dog devoured a platter of hamburgers and hotdogs during a backyard barbeque. Communicate your eagerness to help. Tell the caller, “I’m sorry to hear that your pet is sick. Let me see how we can help you today.”
Why is it so hard for veterinarians to say, "I don't know?"August 11, 2016Why is it so hard for us to say, “I don’t know”? As veterinarians, we’ve studied for 19 years or more. We’re highly educated, trained and experienced. We have to make critical calculations for medication dosages, or where and what to cut in surgery.
10 things you need to purge from your vet hospital right nowAugust 9, 2016As I travel around, performing surgery at different clinics, I am sometimes surprised to see things with a fresh pair of eyes that the owner and the staff don’t seem to notice at all. Keep in mind that I work with smart doctors, so the list below does not reflect their quality as clinicians.
Assessing your veterinary practice's leadershipAugust 3, 2016Alongside the importance of your expertise in veterinary medicine is your ability to lead and manage a well-run business. I was recently reviewing Karen Parker’s book “A Practical Guide to Performance Appraisals,” which is about performance appraisals for veterinary practice employees.
