Demand for veterinary care has spiked in recent years, because of increased pet ownership and deeper human-pet bonds. Specialty care demand also has sharply increased, because younger generations want the same care level for their pets as their human family members. The JAVMA published a pre-pandemic article detailing a veterinary specialist supply problem, and we [...]
All veterinarians and support staff share a common goal—improving the health and welfare of the animals in their care. Achieving this shared goal requires collaboration from veterinarians across all disciplines, and requires primary care and specialty veterinarians to work closely together to support their clients’ and patients’ best interests. Despite this, some general practice veterinarians [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives in ways that can’t be undone—our entire outlook and attitudes toward relationships with coworkers, friends, and family, and the value of our time changed tremendously as we faced ongoing danger. In veterinary medicine, we experienced sharply increased demand, decreased ability to meet that demand, and concerned, distressed, and angry [...]
Decades ago, the general practice veterinarian was a jack-of-all-trades who provided comprehensive care across all disciplines. Since that time, many veterinary specialties have rapidly emerged to offer pets an advanced care level similar to human health care. With all the specialty care now available, today’s pet owners, who are much more invested in their pets, [...]
Clients usually are stressed when their pet needs specialty care for a serious or chronic condition, and their experience with your practice can determine whether they return, and whether their primary veterinarian will continue to refer new cases. In addition to ensuring that clients are happy with their pet’s care, feel they received good value [...]
General practice veterinarians see a huge case variety each day, from puppies and kittens, to sick pets, to surgeries, to preventive care, and everything in between. You were trained to handle everything that walks through your practice door, but sometimes you need a little extra help. Determining some cases that need referral, such as specialized [...]
Nothing is more important for a veterinary specialist than fostering good, lasting relationships with their referral partners. We all know relationships take work, but focusing on a few key strategies can help you build and maintain your referral network without feeling overstretched. A good first step is joining VESPECON’s specialist network—we can connect you directly [...]
General practice veterinarians form close relationships over the years and come to know their clients and patients well. This trusting bond is key to providing the best possible care for pets. Sometimes, this standard of care requires referral to and collaboration with a specialist for the best outcomes for complex cases, rather than the primary [...]
The past few years have been challenging for the entire veterinary profession, because the global pandemic has exacerbated staffing and burnout issues, hampered efficiency, and skyrocketed the demand for care. While many pandemic-era precautions have now been retired, increased appointment demand remains. General practice veterinarians are overwhelmed, leading them to refer more cases to emergency [...]
In 2018, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discussed the veterinary specialist shortage, citing growing demand and lack of sufficient residency programs as the causes. Between 2010 and 2017, an additional 47% of specialists joined the workforce, but the percentage was not enough to fill the available openings in universities and private practices. Of the [...]
