Current Issues in Vet Med

Question 1

current issues in vet med

Answer 1

• workforce shortage
• legislative reform
• tech an innovation
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion
• your well being
• corporate consolidation

Question 2

what is OVMA?

Answer 2

A voluntary association representing interests of Ontario’s veterinary students and veterinarians in private practice, government, industry and academia.

Question 3

OVMA mission

Answer 3

supporting veterinarians’ personal well-being and professional growth to contribute to the advancement of animal and human health

Question 4

OVMA motto

Answer 4

we make veterinarians’ lives better

Question 5

workforce shortage issues in vet med:
- how long are current shortage issues projected to last?

Answer 5

until 2040

Question 6

workforce shortage issues potential solutions

Answer 6

• more veterinarians
• better utilization of vet techs and team (legislative reform) / dental clinic as example of better efficiency
• telemedecine and teletriage

Question 7

workforce shortage issues in underserviced areas
- grants for new grads, livestock and poultry

Answer 7

• grants for new grads (50,000 over 5 years) to veterinarians who provide care to livestock and poultry in northern and under-serviced communities

Question 8

the Veterinarians Act and associated regulations govern the practice of vet med in Ontario, including:

Answer 8

• CVO mandate and structure
• council composition
• registration / licensure
• clinic accreditation
• complaints and investigations + regulations and CVO policy = all the things

Question 9

Veterinarians Act took effect in 1990, without consideration of:

Answer 9

• advances in business models
• internet / telecommunications
• best practices in regulation
• role of full veterinary team > RVTs dont exist on paper

Question 10

challenges with legislative reform and the veterinarians act, currently

Answer 10

• complaints process outlines in act / currently two-year backlog of complaints
• overly prescriptive
• hinders innovation and advances in business models

Question 11

telehealth in vet med - how fast is it growing?

Answer 11

• twice the rate of the industry

Question 12

conclusions of 2022 OVMA survey about impact of bias and discrimination in vet med

Answer 12

• in general, while the profession is dominated by women, patriarchal elements remain and the profession is less diverse than society
• prevalence of discriminatory and retaliatory behaviour, lack of clear policies or avenues to address complaints

Question 13

OVMA brand refresh
- how old was previous brand? reflective of what?
- what did members think of it?
- new project

Answer 13

• previous brand >15 years old, stale, and reflective of an OVMA where members = male practice owners
• OVMA member survey (2021): OVMA = old boys club
• values and brand project kicked off in march 2022 with extensive discovery project
• new brand and values launched in 2023

Question 14

OVMA mental health and wellness - tends

Answer 14

• well-being continues to decline in the profession despite investment
• 2023 survey results will be released in 2024
  > mental health conditions and burnout are real factors affecting the profession, but people don’t have the time or comfort level to do something about it

Question 15

corporate consolidation in vet med
- trends

Answer 15

• in past 10 years, many players have entered the market
• rate of acquisitions picked up during the pandemic and is now slowing, still representing a small minority of clinics in the province
• OVMA works closely with corporate entities just as it does individual practices
  > industry remains healthy and competitive

Question 16

OVMA perks right now

Answer 16

• career options / counselling
• member’s assistance program
• free legal advice
• insurance discounts
• free CE