Changing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine

The practice of veterinary medicine is ripe for a major revolution. I believe the catalyst for that change will be a joint effort by pet owners and like-minded animal care professionals. For both consumers and professionals, the first step is a major shift in perception.

Many vets have bought into the assumption that if a client can sue for pain and suffering, the vet’s malpractice insurance costs will go through the roof, driving them out of business. In reality, that is not true. Recent studies have proven that a modest increase in fees – maybe an additional $10 per visit – would cover the additional expense of full malpractice insurance. What client wouldn’t pay an additional ten dollars a visit to ensure they have the power to call the vet to account if somethim getting goes wrong?

The threat of litigation is scary and it is understandable why vets might want to avoid it! But the truth is, vets who aren’t doing the right things are bringing down the reputation of those that do. Ultimately this devalues our professional as a whole. I believe that’s one of the reasons why we are among the lowest paid medical professionals. The average starting salary in veterinary medicine is $50,000 a year, much lower than that for a dentist, medical doctor or chiropractor. Therefore, vets are already paying a substantial financial cost for the lack of accountability. If you are practicing excellent animal medicine, the rewards greatly outweigh the risks. Why not welcome the change and the improvement in professional stature, respect and compensation that would come with it?