We’re Talking About Practice

Robin Roque, DVM By

Wow, here we are, two months since graduation, practicing as full-fledged veterinarians. Finally, our dream has become a reality. To be completely honest, I was a little nervous about writing this second article because I’ve only been practicing for one month as of yesterday. Staring at this blank Word document, watching that cursor blink in anticipation, I thought, “Do I really have something worthy of sharing?” After all, I spent my first two weeks shadowing and taking the occasional urgent care case, and my last two finally taking on appointments. The slow but oppressive trickle of self-doubt crept in on me. “Compared to my other classmates, I’ve got nothing to offer.” Then it clicked. I can write about that doubt.

School does an amazing job teaching us the ins and outs of medicine, everything we need to know about the pathomechanisms of diseases, what we can do to treat them, and how to communicate effectively with our clients and colleagues. We are trained professionals with the knowledge to practice medicine. What no amount of schooling could ever prepare us for is the pressure of being the person that others go to for advice, be it a benign wellness exam or a pressing emergency. As a student in clinics, I was certainly intimidated by being the “primary” on a case. Forming my own differentials and a diagnostic plan was daunting; however, there was always the cushion of a preceptor guiding me every step of the way. When cases got too complicated, they’d sweep in to pick up the pace. Now, as a new graduate, I do find that I’m slow to make decisions managing cases, particularly endocrinology and renal patients. Sometimes, I take an inordinate amount of time researching every detail of working up and treating a disease, and once I reach my answer, I’m reluctant to move forward because of that little voice in my head that asks me, “Hey, Robin. What if you’re wrong?”

The fact is error is inevitable. It is bound to humble and humiliate us no matter how hard we try to avoid it. Truthfully, I have already made a couple mistakes. Thankfully, they were not at the expense of a patient’s life, but they were hard learning experiences nonetheless. It’s in these moments that I’ve finally understood what it means to “practice” medicine. This is not a game where we show up and execute every move with the perfection of a well-programmed machine—this is practice. The knowledge is there, but it’s going to take repeated efforts to understand and fine-tune which diagnostics to run, which drugs work best, and which anesthetic protocols we find most effective. As perfectionists, we strive to do the best we can for each and every patient, and as perfectionists we are so hard on ourselves when we don’t achieve that pristine outcome. But such is the name of our game; we are here to practice medicine, so let’s show up to practice every day better than we were the day before.

I want to end by saying that amidst the chaos of being a new graduate, I am happy to report that I have a very supportive hospital backing me. There are doctors to whom I relentlessly go for advice, and a team of outstanding technicians, kennel staff, and CSRs that work with me as a team. Not to mention, I text my veterinary school friends weekly to share cases and swap stories. Class of 2021, here’s to finding our confidence in this next chapter of our careers.

Let the CAVMRC Help with Your Disaster Preparedness

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, a time for people to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. With California already in the middle of a harsh wildfire season, it’s more important than ever for residents—including veterinary professionals—to develop a plan in the case of disaster. The California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps (CAVMRC) is providing a low-cost course on “Animals in Disasters – Common Medical Conditions” on November 7, 2021 in Santa Rosa, California that will help veterinary professionals prepare for disaster response. See page 22 for more information.

World Rabies Day Is September 28, 2021

Since 2007, World Rabies Day has been observed globally to raise awareness about rabies and to take collaborative action in strengthening prevention worldwide. World Rabies Day provides an opportunity for veterinarians, doctors, educators, policy makers, and other stakeholders to reflect on their efforts to control rabies—a fully preventable disease that nonetheless kills tens of thousands of people every year. Visit https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day for more information and to schedule your own World Rabies Day activities.

Thank You, Veterinary Technicians!

National Veterinary Technician Week recognizes the critical role of veterinary technicians in veterinary practices, as well as their contributions toward preserving animal welfare. An annual tradition since 1993, National Veterinary Technician Week will be celebrated this year during the week of October 17–23. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America is offering a media kit that provides suggestions and templates for celebrating the week. Visit https://www.navta. net/page/nat_vet_tech for more information.

Take the Member Benefits Survey

The CVMA is seeking input on which member benefits you find most useful and which additional benefits you would like to see offered in the future. A survey will be emailed out to all CVMA members on Monday, September 27. Please lend us your valued insight by completing this short survey when it arrives in your inbox. The survey will close on October 8.

Changing of the Guard at the SCVMA

Congratulations to Dr. Peter Weinstein, who is retiring as the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association’s (SCVMA) Executive Director, a position he has held since 2007. Dr. Weinstein has been an important member of the CVMA as well, having served as president in 2003–2004 and having participated on numerous task forces and committees. He will be handing the torch to Dr. Jennifer Hawkins, a past SCVMA President. The CVMA is fortunate to have a close working relationship with Dr. Hawkins, who is the CVMA’s current District II Governor and chairs the Access to Care Task Force. We wish Dr. Hawkins much success in the coming years and Dr. Weinstein a relaxing and happy retirement!