These client-friendly posts can be used as educational tools and for social media postings. We enjoyed the brushing and the nail trimming videos shared in this collection. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, July 2016. Many clients wanted to be veterinary team members at one time. Post behind the scenes content and satisfy their curiosity as vet-voyeurs. INSIGHTS: Sales … [Read more...]
Dogs and pot – more on marijuana
How marijuana affects pets is generating increased interest and educational efforts. Suzanne Smither, Tina Wismer, DVM, DABVT, DABT, ASPCA and Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, provide a comprehensive look at side effects of cannabis and its use as a medical treatment. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2016. As marijuana use expands among humans, marijuana toxicity is … [Read more...]
Career paths for client service representatives
Team members who want to grow personally and professionally in any role can help a practice thrive. Consider these tips and examples to help yourself or a staff member explore opportunities for advancement. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, March 2016. Many exceptional veterinary assistants, veterinary nurses, office managers, practice managers, and practice administrators … [Read more...]
Mixed messages diminish preventive care value
Consistent messages from each staff member that preventive care is fundamental to pets’ health is critical for preventive care successes. Consistency starts with setting and maintaining standards. The more veterinarians in a practice, the more important standards are as each vet may have his or her ideas and recommendations. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. The … [Read more...]
Live a less distracted life
Thirty percent of daily productivity is lost by checking email within the first 30 minutes of waking up. Read about The 4 P’s of managing for a less distracted life: psychology, physiology, performance and persuasiveness from Tracy Dowdy, CVPM. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. Research shows getting more than 8 hours of sleep a night improves memory, performance, … [Read more...]
Bullying, aggression prevalent in the veterinary profession
Destructive behavior, a complex combination of relational aggression, horizontal violence, or bullying, appears to be prevalent in the medical field, says Justin Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT VetGirl, St. Paul, Minnesota. Lee references studies from the medical field and relates the results to veterinary hospital team dynamics. Strong, proactive leadership is critical, she … [Read more...]
Quiz: Are You a Client Compliance Expert?
Compliance in veterinary medicine is defined as the patient receiving the care the veterinary team believes is best. The acronym CRAFT, where compliance = recommendation + acceptance + follow-through, can help the team remember this definition. It is important that the client accepts recommendations. Following the recommendations at home is just as important. Source: … [Read more...]
Exam room do’s and dont’s
Ensuring a positive experience for animals and the clients is critical for customer satisfaction and retention. This private space provides the ideal opportunity for veterinary team members to educate clients on preventatives and treatments. Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), Wamego, Kansas, identifies exam room disciplines that make exam room visits smooth and … [Read more...]
Handout helps determine pets’ quality of life
Veterinary hospital teams are often asked to help decide when it is time to euthanize. This reference includes a useful handout to help pet owners sift through choices. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2014. When evaluating quality of life, personalized patient and client information is needed to reach an educated, informed, and supported choice that fits not only the … [Read more...]
Top 5 Indications for fluid therapy
Lisa M. Powell, DVM, offers a great review of fluid therapies and when they’re critical. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January 26, 2016, weekly newsletter. Fluid therapy, a mainstay treatment, is indicated in a variety of disease states that may result in mild dehydration to severe hypovolemic shock. Depending on the disease and its severity, fluids administered either … [Read more...]
Setting the facts straight about leptospirosis
Vaccination is still the primary method of protection against leptospirosis. This short article helps veterinary hospital teams prepare for discussions about lepto and lepto vaccines with pet owners. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, 2015 must read summary. Leptospirosis is not limited to large-breed or outdoor dogs. If a dog goes outside, she could be exposed—all it takes is … [Read more...]
How to show clients sincere empathy
Actively listening is critical to effective person-to-person communications. The level of empathy needed when talking with clients is often determined by how much emotion is present. This is a good article for veterinary hospital teams to discuss during staff meetings. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, November/December 2015. Providing clients with sincere and genuine empathy … [Read more...]
The Online Client Education Survival Guide
Google has made the client education process a bit more immediate, for which many veterinary hospital teams are unprepared (think client searching terms on an iPhone during a post exam consultation). This article discusses options for veterinary practice teams to proactively prepare for on-the-spot client education. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, September 2015 page … [Read more...]