Where do we meet?
In the age of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin, many people try to create community virtually. It is nice to scroll and comment while waiting for the end of a soccer practice or with a glass of wine before bed. Why not save the cost of membership fees in a group and the hassle of driving to a meeting, if you can have an online conversation in your yoga pants on your couch?
A few weeks ago, I got off my couch, put on real clothes, and spent my Sunday attending a continuing education meeting put on by the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA). This meeting was entitled “Corporatization, Unions, and Your Veterinary Team.” The day was a great reminder about why our local VMAs (veterinary medical associations) are crucial to the well-being of our industry.
The problem with online groups is that they truly become echo chambers. We put out a comment, others support us, maybe someone rants, but we never create deep dialogue. You can’t do justice to issues as difficult as unionization, consolidation, and the shortage of veterinary technicians when you are typing on your phone. Online groups don’t allow you to read body language or facial expression to interpret comments. Our online groups often self select and thus lack diversity. While these groups provide a forum to let off steam, they are not designed to drive discovery of innovative solutions.
The VetMed Matters conference was a perfect example of the strength of having 70 smart, engaged veterinarians, technicians, and administrators from many parts of the industry – non-profit shelters, small independent practices and larger consolidators – together in the same room. Because the format encouraged open dialogue, multiple viewpoints were expressed directly, passionately, but also respectfully. There are no silver bullet solutions to the challenges facing our industry. However, I believe everyone came away from the meeting with new food for thought.
Some of the issues discussed:
- Did you know that 2000 veterinary technicians finish from AVMA accredited technician schools in the US every year but that there are currently almost 8000 jobs available? In Washington, only 140 technicians finish school every year but there are over 500 veterinarians just in the Puget Sound Region. No matter which part of the industry you are in, hiring and keeping veterinary technicians is a huge issue that we need to be working on together.
- While corporate buyouts are occurring at increasing speed, alternate structures are also emerging. MAVANA is a group of mixed animal veterinary practices with over 70 veterinary shareholders. Their model could inspire the development of other new business models that bring in more veterinary owners.
- Two talks on unions illuminated the complexity in understanding union formation and the governing legal protection framework. With increasing consolidation and now practices changing hands multiple times in quick succession, more discussion on unions should be expected in the years ahead.
Your Local VMA provides more than just CE
In this age of dramatic industry changes, your local vma is probably even more important in its role as a legislative and regulatory advocate for veterinarians. In Washington, the original prescription monitoring program, designed with physicians and pharmacists in mind, was incredibly burdensome to veterinarians. Thanks to our professional associations, revised rules decreased the number of reported prescriptions and the reporting frequency.
Local professional organizations are struggling in all industries to retain members. In busy lives, it often seems like it is too hard to make a meeting or read one more email. Our local VMAs developed in a time of one career families. Many have not fully adapted to members with dual career families and challenging child care. In addition, many practices used to cover local membership fees as a benefit for their associates. Now, larger consolidated practice groups often provide a yearly stipend and make associates choose between continuing education or local membership.
Despite these challenges, I believe that our local VMAs are more important than ever. Veterinarians are stronger when we talk directly but personally, when we work together, and when we convene on a local level. The issues facing our profession are hard with no simple answers. To find solutions and set a trajectory for success, we have to collaborate and engage. So, take today and instead of checking Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, join your local VMA.