Veterinarians are mentally well but experience poor well-beingFebruary 17, 2018Veterinarians as a group don't experience psychological distress at significantly higher rates than the general population, according to a new mental health and well-being study by Brakke Consulting and Merck Animal Health. The Merck Animal Health Wellbeing Study, designed to definitively quantify the prevalence of mental illness and stress in the veterinary profession, compared findings to previous studies and to the U.S. population in general. The survey, which polled 3,540 American Veterinary Medical Association members (from a random sample of 20,000), is the first to measure well-being of such a large veterinary sample using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, which is widely used in assessing psychological distress among general and clinical populations. "This survey is unique in that, for the first time, a nationally representative sample of veterinarians in the U.S. were asked about their well-being, which is a broader measure of happiness and life satisfaction than mental health alone," said study investigator Linda Lord, Ph.D., DVM, academic and allied industry liaison lead for Merck Animal Health. One big takeaway is that 5 percent, or 1 in 20, of veterinarians struggle with serious psychological distress (roughly that of the employed general population). "The …
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MVS Pet Care becomes nation's first house call veterinarian franchiseFebruary 2, 2018A business team and a house call veterinarian have partnered to launch Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) Pet Care, the nation's first professional franchise network of house call veterinarians. MVS Pet Care offers general wellness care, vaccinations, and illness and injury care, as well as hospice care and in-home euthanasia. In addition to solving the longstanding problem for some owners of rustling up reluctant pets for the journey to the veterinary clinic, MVS Pet Care also provides veterinarians with new business opportunities. "Previously, upon earning their degrees, veterinarians' options were limited to either working in a vet's office or animal hospital, or starting their own brick-and-mortar practice, which is tough," said Todd Giatrelis, co-founder and CEO. "They're typically overworked and underpaid. With MVS Pet Care, they can get into business with significantly lower entry costs than a brick-and-mortar practice. They'll receive training and support, scheduling software and access to unmatched pricing for equipment and supplies through partnerships we've cemented with national pharmaceutical, diagnostic labs and supply companies." The mobile pet care franchise was developed by Giatrelis, Sarah Towne (president), and Ashley Shimabukuro (COO), whose previous franchises include Flip Flop Shops and Sugar Plum Parties, a themed children's party concept. Partnering …
Behavior basics for the emergency clinician and technicianJanuary 22, 2018Emergency and/or critical care workers are often faced with urgent cases and fast paced environments. Unfortunately, this setting is not always conducive to caring for patient's emotional needs. Here are some easy ways to help patients in even the most trying situations. 1. Keep patients with their owners as long as possible. Being in an unfamiliar environment can cause fear. Having a familiar person there is one way to help minimize fear, and therefore, anxiety and stress. 2. Control pain. Pain can contribute to fear, anxiety, and stress. (Remember, acepromazine is contraindicated for treating anxiety and aggression.1) 3. Provide a comfortable kennel. Providing adequate bedding goes a long way for patient comfort. Provide lots of padding for large dogs. Inexpensive bolster beds are easy to wash, and small dogs usually love them. Cats like to hide. Provide a box, or cover part of the kennel with a towel or blanket. Giving cats their own, quiet space in the clinic will help lower their stress levels.4 4. Keep things quiet. If there is a howler in the hospital, do something about it. Not only for the howler's sake, but for the rest of the hospital's sake, as well. Humans included. …
How veterinarians cope with patient deathJanuary 22, 2018Every veterinarian experiences occasional complications, sad outcomes, or patient deaths, but some have developed coping skills and strategies that help them manage the emotional impact and learn and grow from these events, according to a study authored by Sara White, DVM, MSc. The study will appear in the February 2018 issue of the journal Anthrozoös. The study questioned 32 shelter and spay-neuter veterinarians about their experiences, thoughts, and reactions as they coped with life-threatening complications or death related to spay-neuter. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify themes and patterns in the responses of veterinarians who were successful in coping with these adverse events. In the aftermath of a patient death or serious complication, veterinarians who were surveyed described feelings of guilt, sadness, anxiety, and self-doubt, and felt deep empathy for their clients. Some said they never recovered from the trauma of these events, while others were able to transform the incidents into learning experiences and opportunities for growth in their technical and emotional skills. The veterinarians who coped most effectively were those who were able to talk openly with colleagues about the events, and who were able to learn and improve protocols. Further, successful veterinarians had learned to place the loss into perspective, and had developed expertise in how to handle and support themselves through the event's …
Are you protecting your passion for veterinary medicine?January 5, 2018 Compassion fatigue and burnout—everyone is talking about it. Try picking up any veterinary publication or attending any conference without seeing this subject appear at least once. There is a reason the subject is everywhere—it's because they are real and our colleagues are suffering. I wish to continue the conversation based on recent experiences. We've all seen the stats and certainly agree they are alarming. I do not claim to be an expert in these matters, but I have made the commitment to learn about it so that I can help my team and peers stay rooted in the passion that first brought them to the profession that they love. Veterinary professionals are kind, compassionate, and selfless people. It's a double-edged sword when that selflessness turns into fatigue and anxiety from pushing too hard, too long without enough self-care. I recently participated in a six-week online course called Compassion Fatigue RX. Hosted by Julie Squires, certified compassion fatigue specialist and certified life coach, this course was part of her efforts to help individuals and teams thrive in the midst of challenging and stressful work environments. I found this course to be an incredibly helpful and enlightening …
A proud, enduring heritage of serviceDecember 20, 2017Looking ahead to possible US involvement in World War I, Congress and President Woodrow Wilson brought the National Defense Act of 1916 to fruition.
What Veterinary Practice News readers loved in 2017December 15, 2017Another new year is upon us, but before we embrace 2018 and all it might have to offer veterinary professionals and the industry, let's recap Veterinary Practice News' 10 most-read features of 2017. 1. Canine influenza virus 2017: Beyond two show dogs 2. 10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy 3. University of Minnesota develops cancer drug that helps dogs with hemangiosarcoma 4. Study: Cats eating dry food have increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes 5. Zoetis earns license for Cytopoint skin therapy 6. Raising greyhound health awareness 7. American Association of Feline Practitioners revises declawing position 8. The 7 top challenges facing veterinary medicine in 2017 9. Petco officially enters the veterinary hospital ring with Thrive 10. The strangest things vet techs have heard clients say
Penn Foster offers veterinary practice management certificate programDecember 14, 2017Penn Foster College, a provider of online degree programs and individual courses, launched its Veterinary Practice Management Undergraduate Certificate program. The new program helps prepare students to become veterinary practice managers by providing them with education in the procedures, policies, and management skills needed in the daily operations of a veterinary business. The undergraduate certificate offers 19 college credits, covering skills including managerial and financial accounting, veterinary practice systems, planning and leadership, business ethics, and more. The program is offered through Penn Foster's technology-enabled learning platform, where interactive, mobile-friendly courses, progress-tracking and goal setting tools, and personal coaches help students complete the program while managing their busy lives. In addition to earning an undergraduate certificate, completion of the program satisfies the college semester hours required for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager exam offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. Penn Foster also offers veterinary training programs for its AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Associate Degree, NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Career Diploma, and Pet Grooming Certificate.
10 ways to protect your clinic's cash flowOctober 19, 2017 Veterinary clinic cash flow is challenged by several factors, but broken down, it's simple: how much comes in versus how much goes out. Here are 10 ways your practice can immediately take control of its cash flow. If your practice is hemorrhaging money, you must immediately staunch the flow. You cannot save your way to success, but you should still be conscious of what you are spending. By controlling your spending and saving on extraneous things, your practice will be able to spend more money where it counts, such as equipment and human resources. Plus, you must identify cash that is lost because it was never collected in the first place. The countdown to controlling clinic cash flow starts now. No. 10: Create a budget If you're like most, you just cringed a little when you read the word "budget." As much as they're disliked, budgets are a vital tool in your practice's path to success. Your accounting software and/or your accountant should be able to help you get started if you are unsure how to begin. Adhering to a budget allows you to project potential income and expenses, avoid shortcomings and build in a safety net …
The secret lives of vet techsOctober 6, 2017Veterinary technicians are dedicated professionals that possess very special sets of skills. However, in honor of National Technician Week, Oct. 15-21, I wanted to highlight several technicians who have developed skills well beyond those they display daily at their small animal practices. Veterinary technicians' work and personal lives run the gamut: some work in the pharmaceutical industry, for associations, and in the army. Others work at human hospitals, in journalism, and in startup businesses. Some are avid collectors or are obsessed with popular culture, and others have culinary skills impressive enough to compete on national television. Here, though, I chose to focus on a few veterinary techs who enjoy more physical hobbies. One would never guess at their passions upon first meeting them—they are humble in spite of their surprising and extreme skills. Here are their fascinating stories. Kerri "I'm very active outside of work. I gained interest in weight training about three years ago, initially as a means to get in better shape. But the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. Eventually, it turned into a passion. I don't see it as a chore—I looked forward to it. "I've learned a lot along the way, not …
