Kathleen Alexander | Washington State University (original) (raw)
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Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2007
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it i... more Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead A team is like having a baby tiger given to you at Christmas. It does a wonderful job of keeping the mice away for about 12 months and then it starts to eat the kids. -Anonymous Team Leader, American President Lines C reating an effective medical team can be one of the major challenges of a veterinarian's professional life. As these two quotes illustrate, working with a team can be either (or both) an exhilarating or distressing undertaking.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2003
Rationale for the study: The Human-Animal Bond (HAB) is a construct that has received increased a... more Rationale for the study: The Human-Animal Bond (HAB) is a construct that has received increased attention in the field of veterinary medicine. However, it remains unclear how important the HAB is to veterinary students and how it may be related to their career choice.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2005
The KPMG ''Mega Study'' (Brown JP, Silverman JD. The current and future market for veterinarians ... more The KPMG ''Mega Study'' (Brown JP, Silverman JD. The current and future market for veterinarians and veterinary medical services in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 215:161-183, 1999) and other studies (Cron WL, Slocum JV, Goodnight DB, Volk JO. Impact of management practices and business behaviors on small animal veterinarians' incomes. J Am Vet Med Assoc 217:332-338, 1999; Lewis RE. Non-technical Competencies Underlying Career Success as a Veterinarian: A New Model for Selecting and Training Veterinary Students. Minneapolis: Personnel Decisions, 2002) concur that improvement in veterinary practitioner performance is necessary. Improvement in practitioners' non-technical competencies is considered most vital. Little research exists that identifies underlying psychological factors harbored by veterinary students that inhibit ability to achieve sustained maximum professional performance. Left unaddressed, these same characteristics may lead to coping behaviors that disrupt or, in the worst cases, lead to voluntary or involuntary termination of professional careers. Several performance-related characteristics and interpersonal dynamics are investigated in this study that provide preliminary evidence for the long-term shortcomings addressed in previous veterinary practice management literature. Pedagogical recommendations for addressing these student psychological characteristics are submitted for consideration.
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2004
To identify factors influencing satisfaction with procedures for small animal euthanasia and to c... more To identify factors influencing satisfaction with procedures for small animal euthanasia and to compare the relative importance of those factors among clients, staff, and students at a veterinary teaching hospital. Survey. 18 nonclinical hospital staff members, 13 clinical staff members, 10 veterinary technicians, 19 veterinary students, and 91 clients. Participants were asked to complete a survey that was designed to assess satisfaction with various aspects of the euthanasia procedure. Overall response rate was 48% (151/313). Respondents most strongly agreed with the statements that clients should have the option to be present, that having a private place was important, and that employees should be trained to attend to the emotional needs of the client. When asked to place factors in order of importance, those that were ranked the highest included compassionate and caring attitudes of the hospital employees, the option for the client to be present during the euthanasia, and the client being informed and well prepared. Overall, all groups (nonclinical staff, clinical staff, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and clients) identified the same factors as being important in the euthanasia of a pet. Results may help facilitate healthy euthanasia experiences.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2006
Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-tech... more Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-technical (professional) skills will result in a more satisfied and successful veterinary student or veterinary graduate. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University has devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to augmenting the non-technical aspects of its curriculum while maintaining the traditional strengths of its DVM program. Here we summarize pertinent research and best-practice recommendations from a variety of sources and outline the steps that have been taken, with the underlying rationales, to integrate the teaching and modeling of non-technical (professional) competence throughout a four-year course of veterinary study.
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2007
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it i... more Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead A team is like having a baby tiger given to you at Christmas. It does a wonderful job of keeping the mice away for about 12 months and then it starts to eat the kids. -Anonymous Team Leader, American President Lines C reating an effective medical team can be one of the major challenges of a veterinarian's professional life. As these two quotes illustrate, working with a team can be either (or both) an exhilarating or distressing undertaking.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2003
Rationale for the study: The Human-Animal Bond (HAB) is a construct that has received increased a... more Rationale for the study: The Human-Animal Bond (HAB) is a construct that has received increased attention in the field of veterinary medicine. However, it remains unclear how important the HAB is to veterinary students and how it may be related to their career choice.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2005
The KPMG ''Mega Study'' (Brown JP, Silverman JD. The current and future market for veterinarians ... more The KPMG ''Mega Study'' (Brown JP, Silverman JD. The current and future market for veterinarians and veterinary medical services in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc 215:161-183, 1999) and other studies (Cron WL, Slocum JV, Goodnight DB, Volk JO. Impact of management practices and business behaviors on small animal veterinarians' incomes. J Am Vet Med Assoc 217:332-338, 1999; Lewis RE. Non-technical Competencies Underlying Career Success as a Veterinarian: A New Model for Selecting and Training Veterinary Students. Minneapolis: Personnel Decisions, 2002) concur that improvement in veterinary practitioner performance is necessary. Improvement in practitioners' non-technical competencies is considered most vital. Little research exists that identifies underlying psychological factors harbored by veterinary students that inhibit ability to achieve sustained maximum professional performance. Left unaddressed, these same characteristics may lead to coping behaviors that disrupt or, in the worst cases, lead to voluntary or involuntary termination of professional careers. Several performance-related characteristics and interpersonal dynamics are investigated in this study that provide preliminary evidence for the long-term shortcomings addressed in previous veterinary practice management literature. Pedagogical recommendations for addressing these student psychological characteristics are submitted for consideration.
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2004
To identify factors influencing satisfaction with procedures for small animal euthanasia and to c... more To identify factors influencing satisfaction with procedures for small animal euthanasia and to compare the relative importance of those factors among clients, staff, and students at a veterinary teaching hospital. Survey. 18 nonclinical hospital staff members, 13 clinical staff members, 10 veterinary technicians, 19 veterinary students, and 91 clients. Participants were asked to complete a survey that was designed to assess satisfaction with various aspects of the euthanasia procedure. Overall response rate was 48% (151/313). Respondents most strongly agreed with the statements that clients should have the option to be present, that having a private place was important, and that employees should be trained to attend to the emotional needs of the client. When asked to place factors in order of importance, those that were ranked the highest included compassionate and caring attitudes of the hospital employees, the option for the client to be present during the euthanasia, and the client being informed and well prepared. Overall, all groups (nonclinical staff, clinical staff, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, and clients) identified the same factors as being important in the euthanasia of a pet. Results may help facilitate healthy euthanasia experiences.
Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 2006
Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-tech... more Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-technical (professional) skills will result in a more satisfied and successful veterinary student or veterinary graduate. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University has devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to augmenting the non-technical aspects of its curriculum while maintaining the traditional strengths of its DVM program. Here we summarize pertinent research and best-practice recommendations from a variety of sources and outline the steps that have been taken, with the underlying rationales, to integrate the teaching and modeling of non-technical (professional) competence throughout a four-year course of veterinary study.