VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHow to service a mixed-demographic clienteleOctober 1, 2020 It should go without saying, not all veterinary practices are alike. Not all regions of the country are alike. Not all communities are homogeneous. Not all clients have unlimited resources to devote to the care of their pets. Yet, over the years, we have found ourselves frequently confronted with opinion pieces, written by practice management "experts" whose advice may be distilled down to one catchy phrase: "Charge what you're worth." Those of us who have been doing this for a while know things aren't always quite that simple. My practice of 27 years was a good example. We were located equidistant from million-dollar homes and Section-8 housing. The former group of clients appreciated the fact we kept our pricing under control, the latter group absolutely required it, and we serviced every demographic group in between. The real cost of treatment A litany of very good reasons is always advanced for raising prices, including the rising debt-to-income ratios of our newer veterinarians, the need to attract skilled support staff into our clinics, and the overall rising cost of doing business, which always seems to exceed the rate of inflation. None of this is disputed; nevertheless, …
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveFood is love—So why is nutrition a problem area for veterinarians?September 29, 2020By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAAs a child, I was a big fan of the Peanuts cartoons. One of my favorite characters was Snoopy, a suave, bipedal beagle who wrote novels and engaged in breathtaking aerial combat with his nemesis, the Red Baron. Though Snoopy was unlike most other beagles I have known, he had one characteristic in common to others of his breed, and indeed most dogs. When suppertime arrived, all other activities were forgotten, and he often launched into an exuberant, joyful, food-induced dance. Every feeding was a celebration for Snoopy, not only of food but of the bond between dog and owner. Few subjects generate the same intensity of emotion in pet owners as the question of what to feed our animal companions. Feeding our pets is the quintessential act of caring and love. And based on how most dogs and cats act at feeding time, it certainly seems like a highlight of the relationship for them. There is also a deep sense in most pet owners that choosing a pet food has tremendous significance for the health and well-being of their pets. Everyone wants to give their pets the "best" food that will keep them active and happy and prevent illness …
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveBest practices for managing part-time clinicians at multidoctor practicesSeptember 22, 2020 Veterinary practice is a team effort, requiring commitment and dedication from all staff members to provide optimal care for each pet, keep clients happy, and maintain profitability. Within a multidoctor practice, this team effort can be put to the test when some of the clinicians work part-time. Why choose part-time? Veterinarians who choose to work part-time do so for a variety of reasons, such as pursuing a second career. Laura Hoffman, DVM, who works as the sole part-time veterinarian in a multidoctor practice and teaches in the pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology department at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., knew full-time veterinary practice was not for her. Doing part-time veterinary work gave her "the ability to have another career while staying current with medicines, treatments, and diagnostics in veterinary medicine," says Dr. Hoffman. Karen Todd-Jenkins, VMD, who works as a part-time veterinarian at two veterinary practices and is a medical writer, has been doing relief and part-time veterinary work for more than 15 years. This type of work "gives me the variety and schedule flexibility I need," she says. "I don't think I'd be nearly as happy or fulfilled working full-time." Other reasons veterinarians choose part-time work include raising …
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe muzzling of science and the veterinarian's roleSeptember 16, 2020By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAAn acceptance of “un-science” is happening despite the fact most of us carry the bulk of this planet’s available information on our person at all times. The facts are literally at our fingertips.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe corporatization of veterinary practices in America—Will you be a part of it?September 15, 2020While the corporatization of veterinary medicine might be a cause of concern for you as an independent practice owner, the right guidance can help you succeed in this rapidly changing marketplace.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHow AI is helping get veterinary radiology results fasterSeptember 10, 2020 It's no secret most veterinarians are swamped with more work than they can complete in a day. Specialty radiologists face the same problem. As more and more veterinarians send radiographs to specialists for interpretation, the workload keeps growing and there aren't enough specialists in the field to handle it. In fact, one study predicted by 2022, 66 percent of the teleradiology caseloads won't be met.1 What if computers could be trained to think like humans, creating an extension of the veterinary team to get more done in less time? That's the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Why add AI to veterinary medicine? AI is increasingly being used in other industries to get more done with less, so we see the same promise for veterinary medicine. Having an AI-based tool in the veterinary practice to assist with radiology reads is like having a personal radiologist on staff to review cases in real-time and provide analysis and recommendations within five minutes. How does AI work? What makes it exciting? Today, when veterinarians take radiographs, they typically send out for results and receive analyses back in 10 to 15 days or more – sometimes up to 30 days. Treatment is delayed – if …
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveWhy unions matter to the veterinary professionAugust 25, 2020 Liz Hughston: President, National Veterinary Professionals Union, explains why unions have a role to play in the veterinary industry. The topic of unions has always been a controversial one in the veterinary practice community and beyond. In America, the first unions were organized in the late 1700s and the first recorded worker strike occurred in 1768, when journeymen tailors protested wage reductions. Since then, employees and employers have been debating wages, working conditions, workers' rights, and much more, but consensus has been hard to reach. We sat down with Liz Hughston, president, National Veterinary Professionals Union (NVPU), and asked her why the time has come for the veterinary profession to join the union movement.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveIn the Navy: How veterinarians are keeping military-trained mammals healthyAugust 18, 2020For six decades, the Navy has relied on trained marine mammals to assist and protect its personnel and assets in the water.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveRemoving blind spots: Conflict resolution in veterinary practicesAugust 11, 2020Conflict is a natural part of the human condition and occurs in any environment where people spend an extended amount of time together. It arises as a result of unmet needs and expectations, when one person’s desires, wishes, and feelings do not match another’s.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveA gentle rant on medical infantilization and the "pet parent" trapAugust 6, 2020By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBASmack in the thick of Miami's COVID spike, I had to have minor surgery to correct a bony defect caused by Rottweiler skull-induced trauma to my nose. The timing was technically elective. It needed to be done eventually, but the sooner the better, cosmetically speaking. I chose vanity over safety weeks in advance, not knowing my zip code would zoom to the top of COVID's bell curve of casualties on that exact day. At least it was an excuse to test myself ($350 for a 24-hour "concierge" negative) and take a much-needed mental break––a two-week staycation––after powering through the first full half of 2020 without so much as one whole day off (Sundays included). Despite the pain I anticipated, and the unsightly bruising, I was looking forward to the propofol and midazolam. Sweet, medically sanctioned oblivion! Sadly, I suffered a rough night during my required stay at the surgical center. The food was inedible, the meds made me vomit, and the nurse was on my case. Let's just say I wouldn't wish her on anyone. Among other transgressions, she blamed me for vomiting on my blankets when she didn't lift a finger to bring me a receptacle, constantly woke me …
