In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss concerns veterinary technicians face, announce the RCVS council and VN council elections, and remember the 2003 Canberra bushfires.  Veterinary Technicians Face Burnout, Wage, and Debt Concerns  Although the average veterinary technician is earning a 25% higher salary than those recorded in 2016, veterinary technicians are still facing concerns of debt, low wages, and burnout. The findings come from a recent 2022 survey by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) which looked at 1,886 qualified technician ..read more

In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss ways to address the rural veterinary shortage in Australia which might well work for lots of places around the world. Plus we raise concern for dog breeding in the UK, and learn about an update in care guidelines for shelter veterinarians in the US.  Vet Students Help Solve Regional Workforce Crisis (Aus) A recent survey, run by The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), has revealed that 100% of Australia’s veterinary students (who partook in the study) would consider working in rural or regional practices – where there is a current ve ..read more

At some point, we have all experienced this.  We notice a message in our column regarding a client that seems rather displeased—Mr. Smith called, and he wants to discuss his dog’s care. He doesn’t think he should have to pay for any more follow-ups.  He only wanted to talk to a doctor.  Cue the collective sigh, and slightly deflated posture, as you mentally note the message’s presence. You prepare to make the call at the end of the day, partially because you don’t have time for a lengthy discussion between appointments, but also because you just don’t want to deal with confro ..read more

In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss the UK’s relaxation on telemedicine rules and leading trends at VMX 2023, we celebrate a record number of AVE graduates in Australia and announce that the Mind Matters’ Sarah Brown research grant is open for applications. UK Relaxes Telemedicine Rules (UK) In a controversial decision, the UK has announced its relaxment of telemedicine rules. The decision, approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on Thursday, will allow veterinary professionals to prescribe medicines over the internet without first needing an in-person appointment ..read more

The calendar’s turn at year’s end prompts many to take time out for some reflection. Were your goals for 2022 achieved? If not, do you feel like all the blame belongs on your own shoulders? If you spend time beating yourself up regularly for your perceived shortcomings, or you just sit in your car outside the clinic before your shift starts, trying to summon the will to carry yourself through another day in a job that you once had a passion for but now seems like a rough slog, it could be time to for a reset.  If you find yourself feeling lost, empty, and dissatisfied with veterinary ..read more

In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss diversity in the veterinary industry, announce the BVA veterinary photographer of the year competition, share hope for Ukraine and celebrate 100 years of The New Zealand Veterinary Association. List of Black Diplomates Sparks Discussion and Action (USA) Dr. Coretta Patterson, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and group medical director for research development at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, recently took it upon herself to honor her fellow Black diplomates.  Historically, the A ..read more

In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss cyberbullying in veterinary workplaces, toolkits to improve mental health, and pet ownership in Australia, and we celebrate the new WSAVA president. The AVMA Combats Cyberbullying In The Veterinary Industry (US) The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recently launched a digital reputation management toolkit, aimed at veterinary teams to help combat cyberbullying. The toolkit was created after a recent AVMA survey revealed that 40% of their members said that either they or someone they work with had been a victim of cyberbullyin ..read more

When I reflect on the pivotal moments of my life, it is common to think about my marriage and the birth of my children. But truthfully, getting accepted into veterinary college is probably what changed the trajectory of my life.  At the young age of 19 years old, I decided to commit my youth to eight intense years of studies and decades of my working life to helping animals. I do not regret my decision to become a veterinarian and believe it is my life’s calling and purpose. After all, I am grateful to the men and women who have helped guide my career.  The first time I applied to v ..read more

In this week’s VetCrunch news roundup, we discuss the handover of Melbourne’s U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital to a private provider, congratulate the University of Nottingham on becoming AVMA-accredited, and share how you can become the next BVA president! Victoria’s Only Teaching Hospital Handed Over to Private Provider by Melbourne University (Aus) Following the proposed closure of the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital discussed in this edition of the VetCrunch newsletter, the University has now announced that it will hand over the hospital’s operation to the private p ..read more

“They’ll realize you’re not as skilled a surgeon as people think you are.” After doing numerous procedures for over eight years, I still occasionally question my ability as I scrub in for a simple, routine dog spay. I don’t always think of myself as good a vet as people think I am when they come to see me and trust me with their animals. This does occur from time to time.  No matter how experienced you are, we have all fallen victim to imposter syndrome.  Imposter syndrome alludes to the belief that you don’t deserve the things you have or the level of skill others attribute to you ..read more