m i c h i g a n v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i at i o n
Lessons Learned from a First-Year Veterinarian Jamie Peisel, DVM
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t’s hard to believe that my first year as a veterinarian has passed so quickly. In this article, I made a list of the top 10 pieces of advice that I would have given myself a year ago: n
in this issue . . . 2
Bovine Leukemia Virus
5
Power of Ten Leadership Academy
6
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The Unauthorized Practice of Veterinary Medicine
10
MAHF Funds Three Research Grants
12
Companion Animal Fund Success Stories
14
Legislative Update (Opioid Abuse)
16
Great Lakes Veterinary Conference
18
How to Correct Clients’ Bad Mobile Behavior
19
Will You Make a Difference by Donating to Vet-Pac?
20
Upcoming CE Opportunities
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Use a step-by-step approach. You don’t have to address every abnormality from the physical exam during the visit. Most clients do not want to do everything at once, either. You will gain their trust if you prioritize and outline your plan, using “if, then” statements. Spend your emotional energy on the clients who appreciate it and get the job done efficiently for those who don’t. Don’t be discouraged by the minority of clients who may just see you as a service. There are r plenty more who re are proud to call you their eir “veterinarian for life!” You don’t have to have all ll the answers, nor do you have to know w them right away. Make your assesss ssessment and plan and don’tt underestimate the valuee of consulting with a specialist whether that be a laboratory representative, your local emergency clinician, or specialists from your alma mater. Develop a professional
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niche. What is going to differentiate you as a veterinarian? You don’t have to determine this right away but as you gain experience, pay attention to the things that excite you. Learning is a life-long process. Learn from your cases that day and prepare for the ones tomorrow. And then leave your work at work. You’ve got the rest of your career to accomplish more “firsts.” Set self-care boundaries. Fresh air and walking your dog Romeo over lunch improves your quality of life and makes you more efficient when you return to work. Have the discipline to make sure you give yourself that. Breathe—it will get easier with time. “This too shall pass.” Euthanasia will be the most difficult thing since being empathic is emotionally draining. It will only become more so once you start to develop relationships with the pets and their owners. Develop a ritual to help cope. This will allow you to maintain being present in the moment while also desensitizing the event to minimize transference. Discover what brings you joy during your work day and make sure you consciously take to allow yourself that a moment mom least once a day. Muscle at le memory is so easy for you. mem Don’t allow yourself to become Don robot. Take off your doctor a ro hat for a minute to cuddle your patients or engage them in some patie behavioral training exercises. beha b n Treasure the people you work Tre with. The most effective leader witth. T makes maakes the t people around them feel appreciated and cared for. Nothing appr recia more valuable than your work enviis mor re va ronment adding to your happiness. ronmen nt ad Reprinted with p perm permission from the California Medical Association and Dr. Jamie Peisel Veterinary Medic cal Ass
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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS volume xi i · number
3 · fal l 20 2 01 017