2024 veterinary news in review: #16

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The dvm360 editorial team is counting down our Top 20 news stories and articles of the year, from January 1, 2024, to November 15, 2024. Rank was determined by measurable audience interest and engagement.

A spotlight is shining on 1 article each day through New Year’s Eve, when the No. 1 dvm360 story of the year will be shared. The following article is No. 16 on this list:

Save time in dermatology appointments by utilizing your technicans

written by Sydney Yankowicz

Originally published May 17, 2024

For any dermatology case, a comprehensive and thorough history is crucial to getting a complete picture of the patient and what might be going on. Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, star of television's "Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya" on Nat Geo Wild, explained that these histories can take some time since they include several questions for the client. However, to free up some time for veterinarians and veterinary dermatologists, veterinary technicians can perform these tasks and allow the full team to be properly utilized. “These histories are really important in dermatology, and I think our histories are very specific,” Griffin stated during her session at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.¹

Important questions to gather from dermatology histories:

• When did it start? What is the age of onset?
• Did the pet initially present with lesions or did pruritis precede the lesions and then from the pet itching, scratching, and biting, did the lesions develop and a secondary infection?
• Are the medications that have been used that have worked or medications that haven't been tried yet?
• Was there a particular seasonality of onset?

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Griffin explained that technicians can take on this role of asking the client about the patient’s history, and then the veterinarian can come in to perform the complete body check and physical examination. Following the physical exam, Griffin said, “I'm going to do some cytology and collect my samples. Then, I'm going to look at them under the scope. You'll hear a dermatologist say over and over and over again, ‘cytology, cytology, cytology,’ it's easier said than done, for sure, and it takes a lot of time. Doing it to really feel confident and comfortable and knowing what you're seeing, I really recommend starting to get used to that. There's some ways that you can try to train your staff to help them do this for you and that'll speed things up as well.”

For information on this story, including more tips for improving consultations and client satisfaction, continue reading the full article: https://www.dvm360.com/view/save-time-in-dermatology-appointments-by-utilizing-your-technicians