tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post4096818263883102507..comments2023-10-01T10:50:05.348-04:00Comments on The Homeless Parrot: Stars burn brightest before they burn out...The Homeless Parrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566801733035183569noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-17034210882585367122011-01-30T19:01:18.380-05:002011-01-30T19:01:18.380-05:00I second Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers' quest...I second Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers' question: Why are you not doing regular practice? If you enjoy working with quality clients who really want the best for their pets, general practice (at a high quality practice) can be so rewarding. I love many of my clients as much as my patients. I certainly don't get bored. As vet blogger Dr. Shawn Finch says, "I love boring!" (ie. healthy animals with no serious problems). Best of luck to you as you explore your options.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-38380511087925805152011-01-30T12:59:38.262-05:002011-01-30T12:59:38.262-05:00In response to Megan's comment:
"I think ...In response to Megan's comment:<br />"I think they need to kick out some of the useless classes in vet school (parasitology?) and replace them with "How to Practice Medicine on a Shoestring Budget". Maybe if we start talking about it way back in vet school, it wouldn't be such a stressful thing to handle in practice?"<br /><br />Amen, sista! Fortunately our curriculum does a good job preparing us for client communication and dealing with stressful situations, but there's never enough. I suppose we'll have to learn via real experience, because there's no real way to teach these things, plus every case is different.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-15710342622827510422011-01-29T09:10:00.965-05:002011-01-29T09:10:00.965-05:00>>Why are you not doing regular practice? Y...>>Why are you not doing regular practice? You might benefit from spending time with the clients.>><br /><br />I am a veterinarian who realized several years in that as you said, the job wasn't going to change - but what I hated most was spending time with clients. It was exhausting, even though I was well-liked, received plenty of positive feedback, and had many great clients. Actually, I found it harder to say "no" or even charge appropriately when the client and I had history. I was drained.<br /><br />Now I am a different kind of veterinarian; I do not have any client contact, and am much happier. Mine is not the solution for all veterinarians in danger of burnout, though - just as working in general practice is not for everyone, either.<br /><br />There's nothing inherently dissatisfying about emergency work, but the situations are certainly more intense, with less personal history to draw upon and more potential for mutual misunderstanding and disappointment.<br /><br />I vote for self-care, now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-36661634098188389582011-01-28T18:51:57.271-05:002011-01-28T18:51:57.271-05:00From personal experience, you WILL burn out if you...From personal experience, you WILL burn out if you don't lighten up. You CAN'T take it all personally. You CAN't blame yourself for every case that didn't go well and you CAN'T save them all. <br /><br />Are you still going to question yourself sometimes? Yes, but that's normal. You can't question yourself all the time though.<br /><br />From reading your blog it seems you are a very smart, talented, competent vet-way better than I was at 2.5 years out! Just relax, you are doing a great job.<br /><br />As far as the level of care you can provide, yeah, it's dictated by how much owners are willing and able to spend. Get used to it, offer the best and adjust from there.<br /><br />If all else fails, find a new job in a different area or different clinic.<br /><br />Good luck!Nickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00547292170354458260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-21241653961921951222011-01-28T18:49:02.438-05:002011-01-28T18:49:02.438-05:00I feel like 90% of my stress on ER is trying to fi...I feel like 90% of my stress on ER is trying to figure out what to do when clients have no money. Then they get declined for CareCredit, and then they don't know anyone who might be willing to lend them money. Yes, it's terrible medicine to give SQ fluids and send a amoxicillin home with a vomiting puppy, but what else can you do when the owner can barely even pay for the exam? Once I have three or four cases like that in a row, I am so emotionally burned out for the night that I just want to go home :(<br /><br />Then I go to awesome conferences like NAVC and learn about all sorts of crazy procedures and I come back jazzed up, only to remember that the majority of my clients can hardly do the bare minimum. Sigh.<br /><br />I think they need to kick out some of the useless classes in vet school (parasitology?) and replace them with "How to Practice Medicine on a Shoestring Budget". Maybe if we start talking about it way back in vet school, it wouldn't be such a stressful thing to handle in practice?<br /><br />Good luck with your new gym and finding some balance!Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16500262565313489986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-55754674376314062442011-01-28T15:49:46.936-05:002011-01-28T15:49:46.936-05:00Since I am not a vet, I can't completely under...Since I am not a vet, I can't completely understand what you are going through, but I'm glad you're going to go to the gym.<br /><br />When my husband was deep in medical school/residency, I don't know what he would have done without running.<br /><br />Hard physical exertion made a huge difference in his mental state, and I hope it helps you out as well!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06645791926538907697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-17632229578515497332011-01-28T14:57:59.088-05:002011-01-28T14:57:59.088-05:00I think this is common in ER medicine.
Why are yo...I think this is common in ER medicine. <br />Why are you not doing regular practice?<br />You might benefit from spending time with the clients. <br />People first... <br />Your values might need adjusting. Ivory tower is excellent, but glad I am not paying for your work as I need to eat, live, repair my home, pay bills! <br />I guess the skill of selecting the right tests comes with time. Like can a doctor tell a person is having a stroke without doing an MRI?<br /> <br />Burnout, breakdowns, fatigue awaits you. <br />The work won't change.<br />You need to review your attitude. Professional yes, obsessive, no.<br />I found being a mother altered my priorities too. Not only in my workloads, but realizing that animals should not be put ahead of the needs of the family. Honest communication and talking about money is critical before thousands are spent. <br />Vets tend to be very poor at this!Fi from Four Paws and Whiskershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217307759511472654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-81768355147075009382011-01-28T12:37:15.357-05:002011-01-28T12:37:15.357-05:00I commented to you 12/24/10, and have nothing to a...I commented to you 12/24/10, and have nothing to add other than: take care of yourself, NOW. Focus on your life outside practice and develop effective coping skills. See if your local veterinary school employs a social worker skilled in working with veterinarians' burnout and compassion fatigue issues. Don't be like me; seek help before you hit bottom, 'cause I can tell you aren't even close to bottom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9212251348411401170.post-5798746003037187012011-01-28T11:19:47.181-05:002011-01-28T11:19:47.181-05:00You're at the start of a long journey in life ...You're at the start of a long journey in life and as a vet. I like your dedication and insightfulness. Learning balance and how to take care of yourself now will go a long way to prevent the burnout and the compassion fatigue that can come with the territory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com