Intermountain Health’s Post

Have you ever been told that you care ‘too much’? It has certainly happened to me. In the veterinary profession, we are also often reminded of the high risk of ‘compassion fatigue’. But what does the evidence say? Interestingly, it shows something quite different - at least in human healthcare; the work of Stephen Trzeciak, MD as well as the UK-based The King's Fund shows that compassion has in fact a large number of benefits, ranging from better patient outcome over better team performance to greater mental health ,including lower burnout rates, of healthcare workers (links in the comments). So it turns out that compassion is not the issue. At the last Veterinary Human Factors Conference, Jenny Guyat gave one of the best talks on the misnamed compassion fatigue that I have ever listened to. In her presentation, she explained how it is not compassion which fatigues, but rather a certain aspect of empathy in which we emotionally resonate and identify with the other person. So it is more correct to talk about 'empathy fatigue' or 'empathic distress'. While compassion includes aspects of empathy, this happens without close identification with the other person, and importantly it includes the genuine intention to help. So, to some degree, it could be said that caring is an art. And Buddhist traditions have even cultivated the art of caring to a fine art. This is sadly not so much the case in our modern society and by extension in our professional lives. However, modern psychology and neuroscience have been confirming what Buddhists have known for over 2 millennia: that compassion and care is good for us as long as practiced with wisdom, an understanding that we cannot fix everything and everyone, and as long as we direct the compassion to ourselves as well as to others. What makes compassion so effective? There are many ways to explain it and I am by no means an expert. But to me, a lot comes down to the fact that it helps us not feeling alone when we are going through a difficult time, and being met with friendliness and kindness when experiencing physical or emotional discomfort or pain. Of course, sometimes we can be the cause of our own discomfort. We can engage in intense internal criticism and blame, sometimes out of the well-intentioned but unhelpful belief that this makes us a 'better' person or veterinary professional. However, science shows us here as well that caring for ourselves is a much more helpful strategy as Dan Harris explains in a wonderful (and funny!) TED talk, link also in the comments. What about doing 'don't not caring' more often? Do you agree that it can transform our lives? ___________________________ P.S.: I continue to love Ted Lasso and will continue to share quotes from the show, which so beautifully captures the themes of compassion, psychological safety and vulnerability. #veterinaryprofessionals #veterinarylife #veterinaryspecialists #compassionateleadership #vhfc2024 #ignitingchange VetLed

So many career pathways as an RN in the aged care sector!

Happy #VetTechWeek to the real MVPs 🎉 —Veterinary Technicians! You hold the fort in clinical settings, and we at Mascotte are here to help take off the administrative load. We're not here to replace you; we're here to make sure you shine brighter in what you do best. 🛡️ All Resources, Zero Catch-Up Mascotte acts as your operational SWAT team. From appointment reminders to proactive wellness checks, we keep the client communication wheel spinning so you don't have to break away from the consultation room. 🤓 Up-to-Date, No Late Hours Hate the end-of-day admin pile-up? We keep client and patient profiles organized for you, so you're not spending your post-shift hours playing catch-up. No more back-and-forths between the consultation room, front desk, and files—everything's ready when you need it. ✒️ Virtual Scribing for a Clear Mind Our virtual scribing services handle all documentation, letting you focus entirely on the pet and its owner. Forget scrambling between SOAP notes and syringes; we got the notes, you handle the care. 🤗 Focused, Meaningful Interactions Our proactive wellness checks mean you're stepping into an appointment where the client already knows what's up. No distractions, just quality time with the patient—like catching up with an old friend. 🎓 Educated Clients, Less Hassle for You We tackle preventative test education during reminder calls. Clients walk in prepared and better informed, making your interaction smoother and focused on action. 🎪 Your Stage, Not Your Circus By helping manage the front desk, we ensure you only have to shine on your stage—the consultation room. No more juggling between there, the front desk, and the phone. 🧘♀️ Zero Burnout, All Joy Free from the pull of admin duties, your job becomes more fulfilling. Less stress, less burnout, and more of those rewarding moments that remind you why you chose this profession. At Mascotte, we're not just support; we're your allies in elevating your impact. Your dedication and expertise deserve the spotlight, and we're here to clear the way for your brilliance. Consider us your trusted partners in making each day in the clinic more fulfilling and impactful. 🐾🌟

Let's talk wellness (for the humans) in veterinary medicine 💬 We all know that veterinary medicine is as rewarding as it is demanding. But how do we ensure our teams stay mentally and emotionally fit for the long haul? The answer: Integrate wellness right into the clinic setting. Here are some creative ways to do just that: 😊 Wellness Corner Create a cozy corner or room where team members can go when they're feeling overwhelmed. Stock it with comfy chairs, calming lighting, and maybe even some stress-relief toys. It's a safe space to breathe and reset. 🧘♀️ Mindfulness Minutes Start team meetings with a 'Mindfulness Minute.' A quick breathing exercise or moment of gratitude can set a positive tone for the rest of the meeting. 🚶♀️ Walking Meetings Who says meetings have to be in a stuffy conference room? Take a walk around the block or even just around the clinic. Fresh air and movement can spark fresh ideas. 🐶 Pet Therapy You're in a vet clinic, so why not take advantage of the furry friends around you? Schedule 'Pet Cuddle Breaks' where team members can spend a few minutes with a friendly clinic pet. 🍎 Healthy Snack Station Replace the candy bowl with a healthy snack station. Think fruits, nuts, and maybe some dark chocolate for those who still need a sweet fix. 💵 Financial Wellness Workshops Stress isn't always work-related. Offering occasional workshops on budgeting or retirement planning can alleviate financial stressors. ⏰ Flex Hours If possible, offer flexible work hours or remote work options for tasks that don't require physical presence. This can help team members balance work and personal life better. 🎉 Celebrate Small Wins Create a 'Victory Board' where team members can pin notes about small wins or shoutouts to colleagues. Celebrating achievements, no matter how small, boosts morale. Incorporating wellness into your clinic doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It's about creating a supportive environment where your team can thrive both professionally and personally. So, why not start today? Your team (and your future self) will thank you. 🙏 #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #vettech #animalhealth #veterinarians

TWENTY years ago I was one of many in our state VMA who fought for title protection and scope of practice in our Veterinary Practice Act that would differentiate licensed professionals from on the job trained staff. UGH it feels SO STUPID to have to write that there was/is a need to differentiate! They are after all LICENSED PROFESSIONALS!!!! My point is that 4 out of 5 licensed techs were leaving clinical practice within 5 years in 2003. The arguments stated in Kenichiro Yagi's post in addition to "there are not enough of them for every practice to have one" were argued so strongly at the time that we couldn't even get a state rep to introduce our rewritten Practice Act without removing title protection and scope of practice. There is not a single thing that a CVT does in PA that requires them to be licensed. NOT ONE! So now 20 years later we are having the same STUPID argument and GUESS WHAT! 4 out of 5 CVTs leave clinical practice within 5 years!!!! Gee I wonder why practice who actually require CVT to induce and monitor anesthesia can't find enough CVTs? I am a vet and I am beyond frustrated. I really can't imagine how I would feel if I had spent multiple years and 10s of thousands of $$$ then sat for a national exam. #hiring #hiringcvts #hiringCVTmanagers

The Nurse Practitioner Will See You Now ___________________________________ You’re likelier than ever to get care from a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. By Keren Landman, MD / Jan 29, 2024 Americans seeking health care are increasingly likely to get it from people who aren’t doctors. The reasons are partly related to supply and demand: A nationwide physician shortage has been mounting for decades. And while the pipeline for producing more doctors hasn’t widened — something that would literally require an act of Congress — schools that train nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) have proliferated. As a result, nurse practitioner numbers have tripled since 2010, and there are nearly twice as many physician assistants now as then. In primary care clinics, emergency departments, operating rooms, and medical specialty offices, these medical professionals are now doing a lot of the same tasks doctors do. https://lnkd.in/gBdGESqa stevenlmaycvj.com http://sdbslm.com #animalhealth #vetnews #veterinary #veterinarymedicine #vetlife #veterinarian #vetmed  #veterinarycareers #stevenlmaycvj #dvm360 #humanityfirst #MJHLifeSciences #ignitevet #vgpvet #marspetcare #emergencyvet #vetlife  #canine #canines #veg #vgpvet #dvm360 #zoetis #zoetisequine #dog #dogs #petowners #pethospital #petparents #customerservicerepresentative #customercareteam #mentalawareness #DEI #physician #doctorsonlinkedin #veterinarytechnician #animaltechnician #diversity #equity #inclusiveness #medicaldoctor #doctors #healthcare  #meditation #mentalhealth #mentalawareness #podcast #podcaster

🙌 Hands up for dietitians making serious cheddar. Like SERIOUS dough-ray-mee! Are you tired of making shitty money? 💸 🙋♀️ I know I was. You see I worked a clinical job as an outpatient specialist for about 7 years before I took the plunge into a full-time private practice dietitian 👩⚕️ 😊 The weird part about leaving my clinical job is that I liked it: I worked with awesome, super-smart RDs, I liked my boss, I didn’t work weekends, and I had good insurance, but I was making no money. And quite frankly, I could do my job in my sleep 🥱 🧐 Sis, are you feeling me here? Can you relate? 🤪 ➡️ Do you like your current job but know you are capable of MUCH more? More freedom 🦅 💼 More responsibility. And certainly MORE $$$ 💰 😎 If this sounds like you, apply for my reimbursement coaching program. Accepting insurance in my practice was an absolute game-changer 💯 👯♀️ And it can be for you, too! I’ve got you on this one 👏 🥳 For the last decade, I have easily generated a MULTI 6 FIGURE salary virtually working part-time. Making killer $$$ is possible. And I can show you EXACTLY how 🤗 👉 Click the link in my PROFILE to apply to my reimbursement coaching program, where I take you from overwhelmed & broke to confident & profitable in running the insurance-based private practice of your dreams. Get it, girl. Get it! 💃

🐾 True or False: Social workers and other human health care and social service professionals regularly encounter clients/patients who are struggling with pet-related concerns. In my experience, and from experiences shared with me, the answer is “true”! (I’d love to hear any related thoughts and experiences in comments!) To help equip social workers and other human healthcare and social service providers to effectively provide support to people experiencing stress and/or barriers to care related to their animal family members, I am creating a free open access resource page for Open Door Veterinary Collective’s website, working title is “Social Work Hub”! I’d love any thoughts/feedback on what folks think is most needed/would be most helpful! Please feel free to comment or message me. For immediate help finding resources to support people with pet-related concerns - such as crisis fostering for pets, pet food banks, and accessible veterinary care - check out pethelpfinder.org! Connecting people to such supports helps keep human-animal families together and healthy. 🐾 (Pictured below is my pup Henderson approaching me in our woods; he is a huge fan of being with his family!) #humananimalbond #socialwork #socialworkers #publichealth #healthcare #health #family #families #community #primarycare #nurse #nursing #innovation #onehealth #onewelfare #socialdeterminantsofhealth #socialdeterminants #mentalhealth #behavioralhealth #casemanager #casemanagement #medicine #familymedicine