I took a dry eraser and wiped the patient’s name off the whiteboard. I neatly filed their treatment sheet in their medical record. Moments before I heard the owners sobbing in the exam room down the hall. Hours before I had changed my patients bedding, pet them and kindly syringe-fed them. I knew they were… Read More
Blog
Why Shared Work Never Feels Equal
In the veterinary clinic, there are a ton of jobs that require a collaborative effort. It’s no news to you that in order to keep the day running smoothly, you can’t do it all alone and you need help from your teammates. So, why is it that even with technicians, assistants, receptionists and doctors it… Read More
I’m Still Here Fighting, and You Should Be, Too
This article contains detailed discussion of suicide and suicide methods. If you are having thoughts of suicide, text 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor right away or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) The topic of suicide is a potential trigger for those struggling with feelings of guilt after the loss… Read More
Do I Give it a Go or Just Say No?
Here’s the scenario: you are in general practice and you have a patient that needs surgery. It is not a surgery that you have ever done, nor do you feel comfortable doing it. You recommend referral to a specialist. The owners don’t have the money for the referral. In fact, they have about $800 to… Read More
Drug Restriction Doesn’t Address the Causes of Suicide… and Seat Belts Don’t Address the Causes of Auto Accidents
Suicide in veterinary medicine is rampant, and one of the two most common means of suicide among veterinarians is pharmaceutical poisoning1. In cases where suicide is an impulsive decision [in one study, 48% of suicide attempt survivors said they made an attempt within 10 minutes of making the suicide decision2], restricting access to lethal medications… Read More
Stop Dumping On Your Receptionists
“The job isn’t hard, why can’t they do it right?” I’ve heard it time and time again. Receptionists get dumped on by veterinarians, managers and sometimes by one of their own. We take our frustrations out on them because of poor scheduling, client messages and even the inability to decipher what a client meant on… Read More