Career Development
Growth or decline: What makes the difference in a veterinary practice?
September 1st 2014Here's a hint: It's not the economy, clients' desire for good care, or your level of competition.Depending on what you read, we are either in need of more veterinary schools or dealing with an overcapacity of veterinarians. We're either seeing an increase in pet ownership or a decline in pet ownership, serving a greater number of clients or fewer clients than ever. The failings of our profession are likely to be caused by any or all of these issues; it just depends on the color of your glasses.
Going up against a veterinary giant
August 1st 2014You left your job to open your own clinic, and now your former employer wants to sue. Don't panic yet-it's time to look at the facts.I recently received the following request from a veterinarian: "I'm planning on leaving my associate position with a large veterinary corporation to open my own clinic. I'd like you to review my employment contract to make sure that I can't be sued."
What dentists know about fear freeand how the veterinary profession can use it
August 1st 2014Dentists and DVMs are tied together by their independent spirit and a willingness to fight for better patient healthcare. Can you learn something from dentists about creating a friendlier, less painful patient experience?
What we can learn from "other" doctors
July 18th 2014In the last year, I've spent a considerable amount of time in doctor visits with my aging mom. We saw the oncologist and oncology surgeon for colon cancer, the orthopedic surgeon for her fractured pelvis, arthritic shoulder and hands, the list goes on. Thankfully, Mom is doing better, the fractured pelvis healed and no other surgeries planned yet. But I spent time in these visits paying special attention to the care she received, and I learned some things along the way.
Change up your communication style and benefit your veterinary practice
July 15th 2014A weekly newsletter took the place of team meetings and got people talking at this veterinary practice.I work in a small animal practice with two full-time veterinarians on staff and 10 other team members. In the past few years, we've had a lot of turnover, with long-time employees changing careers or moving away. I realized during that time, and with the hiring of new team members, that we had gotten complacent and our communication skills were lacking. No one knew what had or hadn't been done in the practice.
How our veterinary hospital survived an employee mismatch
July 14th 2014Why one DVM's style didn't fit-and what we did about it.This was written by one of 10 finalists for the Veterinary Economics Practice Manager of the Year award, sponsored by VPI. For more from each finalist and a slideshow of the nominees, visit dvm306.com/PMOY.