The problem-free consult
Earlier this month, I closed a big chapter of my career when I sold my shares in the emergency clinic I started almost a decade ago. Any big change lends itself to a period of reflection, and I’m...
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Trust: the second key feeling
Welcome back to the series on the CTR-C method for complaint-free consults. My previous post covered the first essential step in perfect consults – establishing a connection. Now, let’s look at the...
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And so it begins…
Initially, I thought my neighbour was creating some sort of musical out of putting her bins out. However, it soon became clear I was, in fact, “enjoying” the first local fireworks display of the season...
View ArticleTrust, part 2: competence
The previous post wrapped up with tips to help you build confidence, keeping in mind that we’re not focusing on confidence just for our own sake – we’re using confidence as a building block towards...
View ArticleJakob or Justin?
Following on from my recent Archers post, now seems as good a time as any to explore the differences between pragmatic and contextualised thinking (stick with me here…). First, I will say that neither...
View ArticleTrust, part 3: communication
Most complaints you’ll face in your career will not be about something you did, but about something you said. Or didn’t say, or because of how you said it, or how it was heard, perceived or...
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How running has helped my life as a new graduate
There are very few things that can force the off switch in my brain. When it comes to my spare time outside of practice, it is very easy to find my mind drifting back towards work. There are even...
View ArticleLearn to teach (to learn)
It has been proven that you learn better and recall more information when you are expected to teach someone, compared to when you are expecting to be examined on it. So, how can you take advantage of...
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Pulling up a seat at the table
VN Times welcomes a student-specific seat on the editorial board each year to ensure student voices are heard loudly and clearly and to encourage wider participation across the community. Following...
View Article4 quick tips to improve ultrasound guided aspirates
The ultrasound is an incredibly useful diagnostic tool that is increasingly being used in general practice. Other than for diagnostic imaging, the ultrasound is also very useful for diagnostic...
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Nominative determinism and novel names
As we reach the end of 2024 and I am reaching the end of my veterinary history PhD, I thought it was time for a light-hearted look at some of the fun things from my research. Yes, a PhD is a serious...
View ArticleWorking over Christmas
Well, Christmas 2024 is coming. If bluetongue and bird flu don’t get us, I imagine it will be another busy Christmas for everyone in practice. Over the years I have heard several veterinary Christmas...
View ArticleBoxes of Christmas past…
January. Nothing more to say on that front. It too will pass. What’s on my mind is the annual chocolate box disappointment. Yes, the economic situation as demonstrated by Quality Street et al. The size...
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Cost Rica Wildlife – animal-related injuries versus human-related injuries
In January of this year, I took myself (and my factor 100 sunscreen) to the beautiful country of Costa Rica – specifically to Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, where I completed a month-long wildlife...
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Luckiest unlucky girl
Out of hours is often regarded as a law unto itself, bringing with it a wide range of weird and wonderful cases you might not normally see on your regular 9 to 5. Even with this in mind, as a new...
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Cat distribution network
Billy entered Jane’s life – and her house – this time last year. I fear that 2024 will be the year I recall as the year I broke the cat distribution network (CDN). As I enter 2025, with no pets, it is...
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