How A Code of Conduct Can Help Resolve Toxicity In The Workplace
Following the rise of rudeness towards staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, many veterinary practices may be asking themselves how to dissuade their clients from engaging in this behavior.
A small animal veterinarian, Dr. Cyndie J. Courtney spoke on the topic of “How To Write A Client Code of Conduct” at the AVMA Convention 2022.
Dr. Courtney claims that the poor treatment of team members by clients results in a toxic workplace atmosphere between those team members and that the best way to resolve this issue is by creating a code of conduct outlining expectations regarding behavior.
By initially keeping this code of conduct to just three expectations from clients, and also detailing what they can expect from the practice, you will “show them that we are asking for these things because we value the underlying principle—not just because we can, not just because we have more power, not just because we can fire them—but because we care about the underlying principle, and so we’re willing to offer them the same thing that we are asking of them in turn,” Dr. Courtney said.
She states that a breach of the code of conduct should result in a reminder of said breach, with any following violations resulting in termination of the client-practice relationship.
“We all have the same interests at heart. We all want to help take care of these animals. And the more we can be on the same page, the more we can achieve those aims, and the less conflict we can have.”, says Dr. Courtney.
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RCVS Launches Online Book of Remembrance Following the Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the RCVS has invited veterinary surgeons to leave their condolences and respects in an online Book of Remembrance. This will be available until the third of October.
Dr. Melissa Donald MRCVS, President of the RCVS said “I, along with my colleagues in the Officer Team and on RCVS and VN Councils, were greatly saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty the Queen last week.
“As our Patron and benefactor since her accession to the throne 70 years ago, as a keen supporter of the veterinary professions who had many interactions with its members, and as an animal-lover, we were keen to give veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses the opportunity to leave messages of condolence, anecdotes about meeting Her Majesty, and tributes for her many years of duty and service to this country.
“After it closes, we plan to save a digital copy of the online book in the RCVS historical archives for posterity.”
Dr. Melissa Donald will be attending the funeral on behalf of the college.
If you would like to leave your condolences and have not yet received the email, you should contact communications@rcvs.org.uk for more information.
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Shaping The Education of Veterinary Science: How YOU Can Get Involved
For those in Australia and New Zealand, an independent expert review has been commissioned regarding the capability of veterinary science education in the region by The Veterinary Schools of Australia and New Zealand (VSANZ).
The discussion paper asks questions of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), as well as employers in veterinary practices and individual veterinarians. If you want to help shape the future of Veterinary Science Education as an individual vet, you should send an email to veteducationreview@vsanz.org by 28th October 2022, with your comments regarding the questions asked by the discussion paper. Likewise, if you are an employer (or a prospective employer), make sure to send your email to publicvetaffairs@ava.com.au by the 17th of October 2022.
It’s important that those of us who have been through the education process provide feedback so that the veterinarians of tomorrow can succeed and grow to the best of their ability and serve the market needs of the future!
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Save The Bees… Or We’re All Going To Get Stung!
As part of a series of grants awarded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), $250,000 has been provided to the Michigan State University project: ‘Taking the sting out of honey bee medicine: training and tools for veterinarians to increase access to care for beekeepers’.
This project will allow veterinary students and practitioners alike to learn how to care for honeybees, including hands-on training in handling and diagnostics, as well as to allow the university to develop a vocational program to provide practical experience in this field.
The project summary states that “This project has the potential to improve the health and care of an essential food-producing animal, reduce the spread of disease to native bee populations, improve the sustainability of beekeeping operations, and provide additional income streams for veterinarians in rural areas who are willing to expand their practices to include beekeeping clients.”
The bee population is declining fast, posing “a serious threat to a wide variety of plants critical to human well-being and livelihoods, and countries should do more to safeguard our key allies in the fight against hunger and malnutrition”, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). As such, it is important to ensure we look after their remaining populations as best as we can. Are you up to the challenge?
Read the full article here. To find out more about the decline of honeybees and how it will affect everyone around the globe, click here.
Can Personalised Canine Vaccine Plans Help Improve Owner Compliance?
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) in their updated 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, veterinary teams should look beyond “core” and “non-core” vaccine categories so as to form a deeper understanding of the factors that will have an impact on vaccine recommendations for dogs.
“The 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines are an important update to one of our most frequently referenced manuscripts,” says AAHA chief medical officer, Jessica Vogelsang, DVM. “The guidelines contain updates on recommended vaccination protocols based on age, lifestyle, and the increasing prevalence of certain diseases, such as leptospirosis.”
“Vaccines are an essential part of preventive canine healthcare for both individuals and populations, [and they] provide an important barrier to some infectious agents that can pass from dogs to humans,” says Dr. John Ellis, chair of the 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines Task Force. “In the 2022 guidelines, we’ve provided veterinarians with a blueprint for developing vaccine protocols for their patients that address individualized risk and ensure all dogs, no matter their lifestyle, are protected from disease, and that herd immunity is maintained.”
The resource includes creating a plan, bringing a veterinary team on board regarding protocols, and providing the said team with the necessary knowledge, and resources for client education.
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