30 September 2018
- Written by Michael Noah
- Tagged as Blog
The face of veterinary medicine is extremely different from what it used to be a decade ago. It isimperative for veterinary practices large and small to embrace these developments, to stay relevant inchanging times. Whether you are a veterinarian who is fresh out of college or a seasoned practitioner,these tips help you brace competition, improve your reputation, make your vet practice financiallystable, and ultimately grow your business so that you can reap better returns.
Today’s Veterinary Practice
As you may know veterinary science is not a new development, there is proof that veterinary medicine existed centuries ago and was very much prevalent in ancient times. However, veterinary practice has evolved over the decades into a thriving and ever-changing industry. Modern veterinarian practices have changed from the traditional family vets of decades ago; it is now so much more than just the medical treatment of animals.
Modern medicine, advanced medical technologies and newer therapeutic techniques, have all led to a vast and diverse group of veterinary practitioners in recent years. Multiple, intensive veterinary specializations like surgery, neurology, oncology among others, has created an extremely skilled pool of veterinarians and spawned numbers of veterinary practices, clinics, facilitators and hospitals. Veterinary knowledge nowadays is becoming extremely vital for forays into biological research as well as wildlife conservation objectives.
Changing ownership practices over the decades are reflected in the varied kinds of practices today like partnerships, joint venture ownerships, private practice, corporate practice etc. Specialized emergency practice, collaborations, the small and large animal sectors have culminated into new genres of veterinary practices. Many practices in rural and urban areas do extend their services to after hour treatments and have greatly helped in employment of new and emerging vets as well as strengthening their client bases.
Earlier, vets used to operate in individual units with each vet treating his or her set of pet patients or farm animal patients; now since the pet industry has grown tremendously and services are not limited to medical treatment of pets, the network is ever-widening. Services include behavioral treatment, therapy, nutrition plans, etc. Pet care has become an industry in itself. Facilities like X-ray rooms, pet therapy rooms, on-site kennels etc. have upped the game in modern veterinary practice. This has led to growing numbers of required staff like surgeons, supportive staff, nurses, managers etc. Relevant training for each group is vital for the entire system to function at its optimum and efficient management is a must.
Even veterinary management as a whole is heading on efficient and technologically advanced paths, as the years go by. Traditional practices like entering client data in log books and hand-written documents are slowly but surely giving way to modern technologies like management software and online documentation. The foundation to a successful veterinary practice today includes not only professional expertise, compassion and medical knowledge, but also powerful management skills and use of efficient veterinary practice software.
Best Practice for Veterinary Clinics
- Adopt technology
- Get accredited
- Gather feedback
- Pay attention to the pricing structure
- Invest in well-trained staff
- Improve the experience
- Give back to the vet community
1. Adopt technology
Being technologically advanced gives your practice a certain edge over the others. Not all practitionerscan afford state of the art equipment in their clinics, hospitals or care centers, but holding on toobsolete tools and treatment methods definitely can be a put-off for most clients. The key is to invest ingood quality equipment that is fairly modern and to use up to date techniques that are affordable to theclients and their animal friends who visit your practice.
Technology also encompasses taking the digital route in your practice. This means digitized medicalrecords, exams room, lab work, pharmacy, admission blocks etc. made possible through a veterinarypractice management software. Embracing technology improves your day to day functions andimpresses clients with the professionalism you display in handling your veterinary clinic or hospital.
Success in veterinary practice isn’t derived from a magical formula. What works for one kind ofveterinarian or clinic may not be equally relevant to another. However, these suggestions and bestpractices help you improve practice so that you can reap the fruits in the short term and over a longerperiod.
2. Get accredited
Any good veterinary practitioner needs to invest sufficient time and effort into staying abreast ofchanges in veterinary medicine and technology. Ongoing education through participation in seminars orcertification in recognized courses as well as accreditation show existing and prospective clients that youvalue care standards seriously and pay attention to best practices in animal care.
3. Gather feedback
Veterinary practitioners often lose business because they aren’t really ears for what their clients have tosay about them. When you and your staff pay attention to what pet owners like or dislike about yourclinic, it shows how much you care for them and their animal companions. Feedback is a great way tofine-tune your practice to meet or exceed the expectations of customers who visit your clinic. This canbe collected through a simple survey printed out on forms or be conducted through a veterinary PMS.
4. Pay attention to the pricing structure
Veterinary practice isn’t just about healing and caring for animal friends. People today considerveterinary practice equivalent to a service and expect adequate value for the money they put intokeeping their pets healthy and happy. For this reason, a clinic whose treatment options areinappropriately priced can soon fall out of the competition and suffer. To avoid this, compare yourveterinary offerings with that of other care providers in your area or locality to see how you can offeraffordable services to clients while paying off your bills and expenses on time, and making money foryourself. Do this from time to time to ensure that you stay competitive even when shifts occur.
5. Invest in well-trained staff
While you spend a considerable time treating, immunizing, and nursing sick animals back to health, allthese activities make up only a part of your practice. The interactions that the clients have with youradmin staff, technicians, nurses, and others in the clinic have an equally important impact on theperception of pet owners about your practice. Hiring the right staff and training them in best practicesmakes a huge difference in the way your clinic or hospital functions. This ensures that any interactionthat they have with clients is a pleasant one and that all needs of pet owners and their animal buddiesare adequately taken care of.
6. Improve the experience
Treatment constitutes just one part of veterinary care. The experience that customers and pets have atyour practice can leave a lasting impact. So, be sure to asses your clinic from time to time through theeyes, nose, and ears of not just the client but also the patient. Is the reception area welcoming? Does ithave enough space for patients who need to wait? Is there unused equipment lying around? Are thereservice bottlenecks? Check with the staff as well to see on what their thoughts and feedback are. Thingsthat skip your attention often garner that of the staff, who spend almost the same amount of time in thepractice area as you do.
You could also consider retailing pet and animal care products out of your clinic for an enhancedexperience. While not mandatory, clients appreciate it when you have snacks, toys, carriers, harnesses,and others stocked up in your clinic. Whatever you display on the shelves is an assurance that theproducts have been handpicked by you or your staff for the benefits that they offer to animalcompanions. So, be sure to pick and choose products with care.
7. Give back to the vet community
The years spent in to receiving veterinary education and treating sick animals equips you with loads ofexperience, which can be put to good use outside your practice. As a well-educated, well-trained,veterinary professional, you could put some time aside to pen down your thoughts and observations onveterinary medicine or the industry through blogs on websites, social media pages, or other directmarketing materials. You could utilize the platforms to also interact with pet owners or like-mindedprofessionals for greater outreach. The more omnipresent you are, the more your practice flourishes.
Alongside publishing, you could also involve yourself in charity work or social service by sponsoring non-profits, local veterinary events, animal welfare institutions etc. Not only are these good things to do butthey also establish respect for your practice among the community and drive referral businessexponentially.
Success in veterinary practice isn’t derived from a magical formula. What works for one kind ofveterinarian or clinic may not be equally relevant to another. However, these suggestions and bestpractices help you improve practice so that you can reap the fruits in the short term and over a longerperiod.
