1) (Try to answer without repeating someone else's answer) If you could change one thing about veterinary medicine, what would it be?
I know its been said, but owner education. Although it may not be possible, I think it is the job of vets to educate their clients. I know a lot of doctors who just get clients in and out and never take the time to explain anything to their clients, which results in ignorant clients. I know it can't happen because vet med is a business that needs to make profit, but wouldn't it be awesome if vets could take some time to teach their clients about animals?
In response to this, while the doctors I work with are very good about client education, in most cases the technician should be able to explain and answer most questions about parasites, vaccines, disease prevention and pathways, medications, etc. The doctor's time is more valuable from a monetary standpoint than a technician's so really the education should be passed on to the techs. That's what makes the most business sense. Now, if a client has in-depth questions or the doctor is just browsing VIN because it's a slow day, then yes the doctor should be able to take the time to educate the client. The problem then is an unrealistic sense of how much time the doctor has to spend with the client and patient for subsequent visits. I know that when I go to a doctor, the nurses spend significantly more time in the room with me than the doctor. The doctor does his exam, reviews the basics of the findings, then moves on to the next patient. Gaining the trust of a pet owner requires a little more than this kind of interaction, but overall the doctor's time with the client should not require a 30 minute discussion about heartworm infection, prevention, treatment when a technician is perfectly capable of reviewing that information.
Sorry, this was a rant. lol
1) (Try to answer without repeating someone else's answer) If you could change one thing about veterinary medicine, what would it be?
Since so many people already talked about compliance, insurance, owner responsibility, etc, I'll say the relationship between veterinarians and MD/DOs. I'm not saying that it's like the Montagues and the Capulets or the Jets and the Sharks, but I think that both sides look down on the other a little bit. Also, with so many zoonotic diseases and parasites out there, I feel like communication between vets and human doctors should be greater.
2) If you needed to pick a specialty, what would it be?
At this point, probably clinical pathology. Who knows, though
3) What has been your favorite/most interesting case you've seen (be as vague as possible)?
Cat who was lazy and gaining weight, coughed occasionally, radiographed to look for asthma 2 years after this started only to find a huge peritoneopericardial hernia. Cat had surgery and plays with the other cats now and is losing weight. Awesome rads! Happy ending! It was just fantastic!
4) What do you think is going to be the biggest ethical dilemma for you (ie, convenience euthanasias, declaws, etc.)?
People already said these, but being unable to treat animals due to financial constraints and ear cropping. I just love big floppy ears.
5) What is the biggest problem you think faces vet med today
Again, already said but, perceived vs actual value of the services and products we provide due to low-cost clinics, online pharmacies, feed store vaccines/dewormer.
6) What attracts you to vet med?
The detective work. I also have found that I absolutely love client education. Especially parasites!
7) If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I said penguin in my interview the other day, and I'm going to stick with it. Live in the cold, get to swim all the time, eat tons of fish, plus they're very family-oriented. I also have to say that those belly slides look pretty awesome
8) If you are applying soon or have recently applied to vet school, what is one thing you would change about your application if given the chance?
I don't believe in regret. Nothing. Sure there are things on my application that definitely work against me, but they're what made me work so hard to make the other aspects of my application stronger. The end