AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Brad White from the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. White is also the chair of the AABP Veterinary Practice Sustainability Committee. In this episode, we discuss studies and surveys on the topic of rural food animal or mixed animal veterinarians, shortage situations, job outlook and factors that impact recruitment and retention of veterinarians in cattle practice. According to AVMA data, less than 10% of veterinarians in the U.S. are employed in food animal practice in some capacity. A survey of Kansas cow-calf producers revealed that 60% of the producers felt there was a shortage of veterinarians, even if a veterinarian was in their county. We also discuss the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas (VTPRK) which has resulted in retention of 80% of participants in food animal practice. Dr. Gabrielle Gilliam published a study in The Bovine Practitioner which evaluated factors that influence administrative personnel and veterinarian turnover and compensation packages. Relationships with colleagues, clients and owners, adequate feedback, a marketing plan, frequency of meetings and adequate time away from work were all factors that positively impacted job satisfaction and retention. Veterinary practice owners should have a long-range plan for recruiting veterinarians to their practice, which can include externships, adequate mentorship and feedback, comparable compensation packages and soliciting feedback from students to ensure their job offers are consistent with associate veterinarian needs. Gingrich suggests that practice owners and future owners should consider attending the AABP Manage Your Rural Practice for Success workshop series, which will be held October 27-29, 2022 in Ashland, Ohio.
Links:
Gilliam, G., White, B., & Dodd, C. C. (2021). Factors influencing administrative personnel and veterinarian turnover and compensation packages in rural mixed-animal practices over a 5-year period . The Bovine Practitioner, 55(2), 108-114. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol55no2p108-114
A survey to identify factors associated with veterinarian and administrative staff turnover in rural veterinary practices, Proceedings of the 2020 AABP Annual Conference.
AABP Manage Your Rural Practice for Success workshop registration
Post your student externship program at this link.