Burnout Is Costing Veterinary Medicine 2 Billion USD 

According to research conducted by the Cornell Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship, workplace burnout is costing the veterinary industry 2 billion US Dollars per year.

Dr. Clinton Neill, an assistant professor of veterinary economics and lead researcher on the economic cost of burnout, said “Putting a price tag on how this very human issue affects veterinarians and technicians makes it tangible. Reality sinks in.”

Charlotte Hanson, economist and assistant director of statistical analysis at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), also spoke out on the matter, saying that “When we hear about burnout, we don’t often understand the cost of it. That’s what’s been missing in our literature.”

Find out more here. 

 

The AVA Calls on Government to Wipe HECS Debt For Regional Vets

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has called on the Federal Government to wipe the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) debts of veterinary graduates living and working in rural and remote areas.

The proposal aims to help reduce the workforce shortage of veterinary professionals in rural and regional areas.

In 2021, the AVA’s Workforce Survey revealed that 31% of practices had been advertising for a new veterinarian for upwards of a year (due to the shortages). With the shortages putting a large strain on the profession, the AVA has been working hard to receive help from the government. 

AVA president, Dr. Bronwyn Orr said:

“Vets play a critically important role in ensuring that commercial farms and their livestock remain healthy. In order to boost the attraction of working in the regions, we are calling on the Albanese Government to wipe the HECS debt for all graduates willing to live and work in the regions and use their skills to support agriculture,” said Dr. Orr.

Read more here. 

 

It’s Not Just Vet Med Struggling with Diversity 

Research published by the University of Minnesota has found that, similarly to veterinary medicine, there are a disproportionate number of wealthy students in U.S. medical schools, hindering attempts to improve diversity among U.S. doctors.

This is similar to findings found by Tom Kendall’s paper (Diversity and changing demographics: how they will affect veterinary medicine) which found that one of the reasons for the ‘whiteness’ of in veterinary medicine, boiled down to the cost of veterinary school.

The lead author of the study Arman Shahriar said:

“In recent years, there has been a significant focus on the diversity of medical students, but to date, most work has focused on ‘visible’ forms of diversity; such as race, ethnicity and gender. This paper is the first to describe the socioeconomic diversity of the medical student body in the U.S., which is a more hidden form of diversity”. 

The study revealed that wealthy students in medical school were overrepresented both overall and within each racial and ethnic group, whilst low-income students were underrepresented. 

Like in veterinary medicine, the data also found that Black and Hispanic students were still widely underrepresented in medical school within the US. 

Read more about it here. 

 

DVM360® Celebrates Veterinary Heroes 

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, DVM360 celebrated its annual Veterinary HeroesTM awards, celebrating the achievements of veterinary professionals who are advancing the field of veterinary medicine and making a difference in animal care. 

Winners celebrated included, Mary Beth LaBee (Client Service Representative), James Noxon, DVM, DACVIM (Dermatology), Jennifer Conrad, DVM (Feline Medicine), Donna M. Raditic, DVM, CVA, DACVIM (Nutrition), Andi Flory, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), Matt McGlasson, DVM, CVPM (Practice Management), and Alexandre Contreras, VT (Veterinary Paraprofessional). 

Veterinary heroes who could not attend the event, included Elizabeth Rozanski, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC (Emergency Medicine), Jessica Price, DVM (General Practitioner), Tammy Anderson, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), and Randy Acker, DVM, DACVS (Surgery).

Read more about it here. 

 

How to Build Relationships in The Workplace

Workplaces often hold a mismatch of employees from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Because of this, it may seem daunting to build relationships with people you may seem not to have much in common. However, building relationships with your colleagues can help create better teamwork, productivity, and even make the work day more fun. Plus, diversifying your friendship groups can help enrich your world, teach you new perspectives, open up more opportunities and make you into a more well-rounded human being!

So how can you build workplace relationships?

1. Ask for help: Asking for help from a colleague can open the door to working one-on-one with someone, allowing time to bond and make memories. It’ll also help show you’re a team player and that you trust and respect their opinion. 
2. Set boundaries: So perhaps you don’t want everyone at work to be your ‘best friend’, this is OK, after all, it’s important to strike a balance between a healthy work relationship and socializing constantly at work. Remember you’re still at work and communicate clearly when you need time to focus and not chat. 
3. Show gratitude: Showing appreciation for your work colleagues can go a long way. A simple compliment, thank you note, or a treat for the staff/break room won’t go unnoticed and can help build work relationships.
4. Skip the gossip: Sometimes at work, an ‘easy’ way to bond with someone can stem from workplace gossip, drama, or even a mutual dislike for another member of staff. However, gossip and office politics erode trust in the workplace. Whilst it’s perfectly normal for you not to get along with everyone, it’s important to skip the gossiping at work and save any ‘rants’ you might need for friends outside of work.