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NEWS & TRENDS
How work overload leads to burnout
Employees who are constantly stretched beyond their capacity at work risk becoming more vulnerable to burnout. Factors like operational inefficiencies, production-based compensation and lack of teamwork at the practice can all contribute to staff burnout.
While workers have natural coping mechanisms—known as psychological capital—to prevent burnout, this can become depleted under an excessive workload.
In the latest article in their series on the issue, the Galaxy Vets team discusses how practice leaders can prevent burnout among staff by easing their workload. Organizations can take steps such as identifying inefficiencies, implementing telehealth, improving inventory management and creating opportunities for breaks and time off to improve work-life balance.
“Take pride in self-care and lead by example,” Galaxy Vets’ experts say. “Take vacations and days off and encourage your team members to do the same.”
> Read the full article here.
How can short-staffed practices keep their employees?
Jenn Galvin, co-owner and manager of Arizona-based Advanced Animal Care, discusses how short-staffed practices can hang on to their employees. While it is important to pay employees fairly and competitively, practice leaders need to offer other benefits, including growth opportunities and a culture of open communication where employees can voice their opinions without worrying they’ll be shut down, Galvin writes for the American Animal Hospital Association. She recommends conducting an employee satisfaction survey and showing appreciation in ways staff members will like.
> Read the full article here.
Opinion: To keep independent veterinary clinics in business, look to the dental profession
Veterinarian Mark Helfat believes small independently owned veterinary clinics are the soul of the profession, and he wants them to stay in business and avoid being purchased by corporate buyers. As prospective sellers find it increasingly difficult to get new independent buyers, veterinary medicine may be able to look to the dental profession for a model to follow, Helfat says. The American Dental Association’s ADA Practice Transitions initiative has a process to connect buyers and sellers, with advisers provided by the association. The AVMA could study the ADA initiative and create a counterpart for veterinary practice owners, Helfat writes for the VIN News Service.
> Read the full article here.
Under inflation pressure, pet owners cut back on everything from pet food to veterinary care
With pet food costs up 15% year-over-year and pet products up 12%, according to the January consumer price index, owners are cutting back on certain spending. Pet toy purchases are down 16% year-over-year as of February, according to a Jefferies Group analysis of NielsenIQ data, and sales of pet housing are down 21%. About half the 1,000 pet owners surveyed by consumer insights platform Zappi for The Wall Street Journal this month actively took steps to reduce pet care costs in the past year, like skipping or delaying a veterinary visit or routine medication, grooming their pet themselves or even giving their pet away.
> Read the full article here.
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