Alcoholism and addiction in vet med: 6 myths on substance abuse in veterinariansMay 21, 2025Dr. Patty Khuly offers some helpful info on the 'pervasive' problem of alcoholism and addiction in the industry, including a brief list of myths regarding the average drug- and alcohol-addicted veterinarian.
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10 'old vet' tips for fledgling veterinariansFebruary 6, 2025This month, Dr. Patty Khuly offers guidance to help new vets navigate the transition from life as a student to that of a doctor.
What vet medicine can take out of a military playbookMarch 20, 2024Over the past decade or so I've witnessed the rising popularity of a practice style I've snarkily termed "frogmarched" vet care; To force (someone) to walk forward by holding and pinning their arms from behind. In its most effective manifestation, clients are shuttled through a scripted process involving rapid-fire assessments and minimal human interaction. The goal is to increase productivity and maximize profitability by minimizing time-consuming client-staff interactions. In this way, patients are attended more quickly, and clients' wait times are curtailed. Here is how it works in emergency care settings, where it is most often employed: Upon presentation, receptionists immediately convey basic client and patient details to triage technicians, who then assess the patient, confer with the attending veterinarian, devise a plan, present it to the client (via vet or tech), and provide an estimate (via reception or tech). Reception will collect payment or ensure a quick AMA kiss-off if the client is unable or unwilling to comply with the terms proposed. This way, clients are effectively vetted for financial enthusiasm and capacity up front with minimal in-person interaction, so the clinic avoids unduly expending limited space and personnel resources on less profitable cases. When deployed to perfection, this …
Euthanasia: Not the worst part of the jobJanuary 22, 2024"The biggest threat to the veterinary psyche is not over the death of animals. It has more to do with their humans."
Tech disrespect and the rise of unionsDecember 26, 2023This month's column discusses the systematic ways in which our über-hierarchical profession too often relegates veterinary nurses-slash-technicians to roles several rungs below their veterinary-degreed colleagues.
Handling 'snowflake' clients (not a 'how to' guide)November 27, 2023The most widely accepted definition for the slang term, “snowflake” is: “A very sensitive person. Someone who is easily hurt or offended by the statements or actions of others..."
How best to survive a license complaintSeptember 22, 2023Although a license complaint from their state’s veterinary board is among the few things every veterinarian fears more than almost any other professional calamity, it is rare for veterinarians to lose licensure as a result of a complaint.
Unleash your own 'virtual vet assistant'July 28, 2023“Virtual vet assistant” has come to mean something vastly different to those of us using an online tool called ChatGPT.
Do you need a practice culture makeover?June 14, 2023How is the culture in your practice? If you are not sure, try this simple exercise: Select five words that best describe your workplace and how it feels to work there (Be fair!). Then think about the words themselves: Are they positive, negative, or neutral?
Grading our profession's job satisfactionMay 17, 2023Have you ever wondered whether your chosen profession has met your needs in offering a meaningful line of work? Is veterinary medicine sufficiently fulfilling?
