College Connection | Winter 2024
Team-based care is evolving with significant benefits
College Connection | Winter 2024
Team-based care is evolving with significant benefits
By Dr . Amanda MacDonald
As a DVM and clinic owner , I ’ ve spent my career on the front lines of animal health care and understand the challenges today ’ s teams are facing . In this workforce crisis , many of us have been doing more with less when instead we may want to optimize the resources we already have .
RVTs taking wellness appointments is an industry shift that is helping clinics thrive . By redirecting a portion of the daily caseload , clinics are easing the burden on doctors , opening up appointments , and increasing the amount of face-to-face time they spend with clients . DVMs are prioritized for surgery and higher-level medical cases , while improved job satisfaction is reducing staff turnover .
As highly trained and skilled professionals , RVTs are embracing these new roles by using their communication skills and building on their existing companion animal wellness knowledge .
As RVTs prepare for the change , how can you ensure the rest of your team and your practice culture is also ready ?
The process of integrating RVT wellness appointments into your clinic care delivery model takes forethought and planning , but the resulting longterm success is worth the effort .
What does integration look like ?
The prospect of integrating RVT wellness appointments into an existing practice leaves many clinic owners with more questions than answers . Change is exciting but can be daunting when you ’ re used to doing things a certain way . You may be unsure of where to start .
Reshaping your clinic to incorporate RVT wellness appointments is a process . These steps offer guidance :
• Understand your capacity to meet current wellness appointment demands
• Plan your future wellness schedule and analyze staffing needs
• Understand the regulations
• If you have associate DVMs , get them on-board
• Select your RVTs and provide any necessary additional training
• Assign a mentor DVM
• Practice , evaluate readiness , and showcase the new skills
• Make a communications plan for your clients
• Work with receptionists on messaging
• Measure your success through client feedback
A team-based approach to care enables veterinarians to leverage the extensive skills of their RVTs , and also address many of the day-to-day challenges . Mobilizing RVTs to take wellness appointments can potentially offer a range of benefits .
• Avoid burnout : Veterinarians need relief from 20-appointment days without lunch breaks and additional hours spent doing records . RVTs can take on a portion of this caseload .
Dr . Amanda MacDonald
• Stop the brain drain : RVTs want to apply their extensive skills and knowledge . Training RVTs to take on wellness exams keeps experienced team members engaged and strengthens the practice .
• Keep clients happy : In busy practices , clients will appreciate longer appointments offered with RVTs .
• Improve patient outcomes : Care providers can better understand their clients ’ needs and achieve more successful patient outcomes .
• Prepare for regulatory changes : Updated regulations are giving RVTs a broader opportunity to share practice outcomes and accountability .
• Embrace positive change : In Ontario , the veterinary care delivery model is evolving towards team-based medicine with an emphasis on the role of RVTs in wellness appointments .
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