Practice Management

Employment contracts exist even if they are not in writing. The problem with oral contracts is in trying to enforce them. Contracts require a meeting of the minds of two persons followed by some form of payment for enforceability. Employees, although commonly intimidated, must realize they are on equal footing with the employer.

Whether an employee leaves by choice or at your request, turnover costs your practice. There's the obvious cost of advertising for a replacement and the time spent interviewing the various candidates. But there's also the cost of lost productivity during the interim when you're short-staffed.

In the mid 1970's, the National economy started to slow down while the number of veterinarians continued to increase. Concerns were expressed that too many veterinarians would be produced by the year 2000. In the late 1970's and 1980's some practices experienced reduced numbers of clients and no-growth or slow growth gross incomes resulting in declining net incomes.

Humans and animals have the instinctive ability to energetically interact with everything around them. As positive or negative energies interact with our energy fields, we are physically and emotionally affected. When the surroundings are stressful, this energy can cause anxiety, weaken the immune system and literally create negative situations for the patient. Procedures can be more difficult, untoward reactions can occur, and healing can be interrupted because of the energy of the people and surroundings. It is imperative that we keep gossip, anger, and drama out of the practice.

Ask Shawn: A better way to pass the torch between shifts

Overwhelmed by the thought of recommending pet insurance because of the administrative work involved? Don't fret. These tips can simplify the process and make pet insurance pay for your veterinary practice.

You need to modify your behavior to the situation and build power relationships that help, not hurt

Review patient records before appointments with this veterinary compliance review form.

A new profiling program adapted specifically for veterinary use recognizes veterinarians and team members' temperaments by color: blue, green, gold, and orange. Find out which one you are.

Download this employee consent form before you begin video-recording exam room visits.

Share your spooky veterinary story here.

Consider these facts before implementing a paperless system at your veterinary practice.

Veterinary professionals and pet owners can now log on to the same website to purchase veterinary directories and resources.

Could your veterinary team members be just as happy-and productive-as these who are attend off-site team-building retreats?

Know what to do when payment isn't received at appointments.

Print this sample for payment and accounts receivable policies for your veterinary practice.

Team-building retreats leave your veterinary team stronger, happier, and more efficient. Here's your guide to planning one.

In this season of change, plant the seeds of career growth with a mentoring program.

Contract reviews lead to better work relationships and bottom lines.

Cards for your veterinary practice can go where jewelry does.

There's really not much you can say after a client breaks wind.

How can open-book management help my succession planning strategy?

Annual reviews don't improve veterinary client and patient services. Get rid of them.

Female-dominated fields of medicine and education are still seeing growth.

A new study shows that flu shots do more than just prevent people from getting sick--they may also save lives.

War stories from the trenches that are veterinary clinics.

Organization urges equine doctors to prepare for hurricane season.

Start talking to your veterinary team to restore their faith and retention.