Running a veterinary clinic is a demanding task that goes beyond a regular full-time job.
It’s no surprise that finding time within your busy schedule to meet the basic obligations of annual continuing education, let alone pursuing additional learning opportunities each year, can be quite challenging. But investing a little more time and resources into this area could be well worth the sacrifice in terms of the dividends you’ll enjoy down the road.
In Volume 2 of myVETgroup’s Owner’s Report, we dive into the top trends we’re seeing in continuing education and why it matters.
Management Courses:
Canada’s continuing education guidelines only pertain to medicine and patient care, yet there is more to running a successful clinic than the clinical side of the equation. Management courses can provide essential knowledge and skills in areas such as strategic planning, financial management, human resources and leadership, all of which are vital for effectively managing and growing a medical practice.
Most veterinarians are driven by a genuine compassion for animals, an interest in health and science, and a desire to make a difference in clients’ and patients’ lives. But managing a business? That’s pretty far down the list of things that get you out of bed in the morning.
Clinic management and practice ownership can feel more enjoyable. Prioritizing management capabilities makes it easier for you, the clinic owner, to foster a positive work environment, stay ahead of a constantly evolving healthcare landscape, attract and retain top talent, and ultimately improve the overall efficiency, profitability and success of your practice.
And, it’s not just the client experience that counts. Your employees’ experience also matters, which is why the overall human experience at your practice is paramount. Human resources deficiencies and veterinarian retention is tougher than ever, so it is certainly in your best interest to create a positive environment where all humans feel welcomed and want to stay a while.
Continuing education for your whole team:
It takes an entire team to ensure your clinic’s success. Showing front-of-house and support staff that they are as integral to the business as doctors and technicians is essential to building a healthy practice.
Extend continuing education opportunities to support staff and differentiate yourself from competitors. Empowering people with relevant training and education helps them develop new skills, expand their knowledge and take on additional responsibilities, resulting in a more well-rounded and capable team.
This inclusive approach boosts morale, retention and shows you care about everyone’s career trajectories. What’s more, continuing education sets your clinic apart from competitors by creating a supportive and thriving workplace culture where happy employees provide an all-around superior customer experience.
Internal Specialization:
We encourage all veterinarians to take up “special interests” within medicine. Rather than spending all of your allotted continuing education time at general veterinarian conferences, why not take a specialized course in a concentration like ultrasonography, laparoscopy or orthopedics? Expanding your skill set means you can provide more comprehensive and in-depth care to patients. Naturally, this expertise translates into encouraging potential clients to choose you over a nearby clinic.
Be sure to share internal specialization learnings among team members. A collaborative approach fosters a wider culture of continuous learning and professional development.
And remember – You don’t have to go back to university to acquire an internal specialization, but you will have to pay for the privilege of continuous learning and invest some time, too. However, the sacrifice is well worth it.
