I'm happy to see Veterinary Medicine openly explore the many facets of animal welfare in the August 2006 issue. And I'd like to thank Dr. Rollin for a thought-provoking opinion on animal welfare and the veterinary profession (Guest Commentary, "Now is the time to take a stand on animal welfare," August 2006).
In regard to legal troubles, expect it where you least expect it. As a veterinarian, I've had more than my share of employees, associate veterinarians and litigious clients.
Thank you for the very informative and thought-provoking article "Animal abuse: What practitioners need to know" (August 2006). I have become more aware of the possibility of abuse as I examine my patients.
Our office routinely has professional interaction with accountants and accounting firms across the country. As a result, it has been my pleasure to become professionally and often personally acquainted with numerous accountants, both certified and otherwise, who handle an extensive amount of work for veterinarians.
Undoubtedly, the major social issues confronting veterinary medicine today revolve around animal welfare--farm animal welfare; the legal status of animals, including the concept of guardianship; and the efficacy of alternative medicine modalities.
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As I write this month's submission, there is water streaming into the basement of my veterinary hospital.
You know there's more to paying team members than cutting a check. But are you sure you're keeping the right records?
Considered a high-risk factor for compassion fatigue, euthanasia takes an emotional toll on the entire hospital staff, an expert says.
My office routinely receives calls from frustrated or perplexed veterinarians who are wonder whether a specific matter or problem that they are involved with might require an attorney.
Kansas recently passed a law that's designed to help bring students to large animal practice. It establishes the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, which supports five students each year.
A lawyer rarely pursues a lawsuit against a veterinarian who apologizes.
You don't want your staff members sharing private practice information. Confidentiality agreements lay down the law-and keep your secrets from slipping out.
National Report - $1,451: It's the price most clients will stop treatment of a sick or injured animal, veterinarians report.
Equine InFocus 2006
National studies on victims of domestic violence show that abusers have threatened to harm or kill, or have actually harmed their pets as a means of keeping the victim from leaving the relationship, said Maine's Governor John Baldacci, as reported in The New York Times.
National Report - While many veterinarians shun convenience euthanasia, problems associated with pet relinquishment live on.
I think it is again time to remember the distinction between fairness and justice.
A complete patient record will help you collect full payment through collection, litigation or otherwise.
Gift-certificate medicine: Go crazy with diagnostics and treatment modalities as long as you don't go over $100.
Just because a complaint seems goofy or unfair, a practitioner still can shell out big bucks to defend a license.
You cannot successfully create or alter a practice culture by drafting documents.
A love note from the Empire State said it would seize the X-ray, ultrasound and Q-Tips to satisfy Oldtimer's sales tax obligations.
With eight career changes, this dean and CDC official has experienced the profession from many angles, and he believes that veterinary medicine is at a defining moment. "We need to commit to re-establishing our societal relevance and social responsibility."
A retainer agreement should include a statement of hourly billing rates.
Unlike human medicine where surgery is the exclusive domain of the specialist, general practitioners in veterinary medicine are often called upon to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures.
Never underestimate the potential liability associated with toxic-substance contamination.
There is a fundamental concept about contract law that students learn in their very first weeks of law school. It's a concept referred to as "meeting of the minds."
Employee theft is one of the most divisive events that can take place in a veterinary practice. The problem extends well beyond the loss of funds or product that characterize the criminality.
The legal rule: Without a conviction, there is no criminality shown. If there is no criminality shown, you cannot safely make public accusations of that crime.
