What Type of Veterinary Professional Are You?

As veterinary professionals, when is our quest for medical knowledge ever enough? I am constantly reading books and articles about the cases I see—reviewing the pathophysiology, causes, treatments, and overall prognosis of the various conditions. I recently received an email from a family member that said, “You should be through most of the NEW stuff by now and have it all figured out…right?”—I laughed and rolled my eyes at this comment. I am sure every vet would say they did not have it all “figured out” only 5 months into their careers. In fact, I hope that no vet would say they ever have it all figured out. How could you ever feel you have a handle on everything in veterinary medicine?

Most of the doctors at my practice are on a lifelong quest for knowledge. They’re hungry for information and passionate about their patients. Yet this is not always the case with some the senior clinicians. Some of our older associates take the attitude of “Oh, I already know all that” while other veteran associates are incredibly inquisitive—asking to borrow articles, or requesting my opinion on tricky cases and new technology. This divide begs the question: How do you keep your passion for veterinary medicine alive? How do you keep the thirst for knowledge like you did when you first graduated?

I remember working as an undergraduate student in a small animal practice for an older veterinarian. He introduced me to veterinary medicine, and I have much to thank him for. But I only found myself at his clinic for a short time because of his overall attitude and energy. I remember visiting a different emergency clinic on a volunteer basis and coming back to his clinic excited about what I had learned. Bursting at the seams, I asked him some follow-up questions since I was fascinated by the new therapies I had learned. It was then that he told me: “They come out with all this new stuff—but in the end they always go back to the old ways—that is why I don’t even bother changing.”

Even as an undergraduate I realized how erroneous this statement was. He complained about having to attend continuing education lectures to keep his license current. Not exactly the kind of doctor you’d want to take your pet to. I often reflect back on my experiences with him and wonder: How did he get this way? He graduated with honors from a prestigious veterinary school. I like to think that at some point, veterinary medicine was fun and exciting for him too. But when I worked with him, that sense of wonder never came across—he practiced medicine like a robot with zero excitement or passion.

Right now I can’t ever imagine myself being like that—but it scares me that I have seen some veterinarians end up that way. So tell me, how do you keep your passion for learning? Do you ever feel yourself slipping into complacency and have to pull yourself back?

You don’t have to answer me right now (although I hope you do). But at the very least, answer them to yourself. I am going to print this article out and place it on my desk. My hope is if I ever feel myself slipping into complacency reading this article and my personal statement will bring me back. What will you do?