• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Terminating team turf wars

October 1, 2009
Debbie Gair, CVPM

If your practice faces rivalries between doctors and staff and older and younger generations, read this.

Team members vs. veterinarians

One of the associate doctors flaunts medical jargon and talks over the staff. This leaves employees confused and hesitant to ask questions at the risk of seeming ignorant. The veterinarian doesn't see the need to “dumb it down” and believes team members need to learn their stuff. The overall outcome is that pet owners don't get the information they need. What's the solution?

When you have a problem with a doctor-or any team member-you must take the initiative to solve it. In the situation of a veterinarian who doesn't communicate effectively, it's time to engage that doctor in a conversation that starts like this: “Could you say that statement in a way I could more easily understand so I can be most effective in working with you and communicating your recommendations to clients.” By focusing on the idea of better serving clients and patients, you're more likely to reach a better understanding.

Remember that some veterinarians might not even realize their word choice is a challenge-medical terminology seems natural to them. They'll appreciate you bringing the issue to light.

What you shouldn't do: Worry about whether the doctor thinks you lack knowledge. In this case, that concern isn't part of the equation. After all, you can't win that battle immediately-even learning all the jargon will take weeks or years. Instead, focus on what's important, and that's doing the best job for pets and their owners.

Advertisement

Baby Boomers vs. Generation  Y

Older generations complain that younger generations are lazy, while the younger set moans about the older generation's inflexibility. Team members in their 50s respect authority, and those in their teens and 20s seem to question it. When these two groups work side by side, friction can start.

Rather than trying to change behaviors ingrained in each generation, move on to looking at the bright side: Each set of employees offers unique strengths. Such as members of Generation Y, who grew up with technology and use it as naturally as if they were breathing. Don't assume every young person wants to be the next Bill Gates, but it's safe to guess that if your practice needs someone to be in charge of texting clients with reminders, a Gen Y employee could easily handle the job. That's not to say a Baby Boomer couldn't, especially since one of that generation's greatest strengths is encouraging change. This just means that an older person's adaptability might be more readily put to use organizing team problem-solving sessions.

The real key to bridging the generation gap, though, is realizing that your way isn't the only way. Someone who values work-life balance can still be dedicated to the practice without logging 12-hour shifts. And mature employees who value respect over the opportunity to exert their personal opinions can still generate solid ideas and engage clients and other employees in rousing discussion. The lesson: Step back and take a look at what you can learn from someone who's on the other side of the generational divide.

Insider scoop: Keep your eyes peeled for the October issue of Firstline for more common practice rivalries, along with ideas on how to bury the hatchets.

Related Content:

Practice ManagerRoles
Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship
Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship
Proper praise for a flourishing team environment
Proper praise for a flourishing team environment
3 tips for selling your practice
3 tips for selling your practice

Advertisement

Latest News

News wrap-up: This week’s headlines, plus dvm360® launches its first CE podcast

Educating clients on brachycephalic breeds

Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship

Unusual parasite strain kills 4 California sea otters

View More Latest News
Advertisement