Carrie A. Wood, DVM, DACVIM (oncology): No relevant disclosure to display
Presentation Description / Summary: Mid-career veterinarians can often feel stale and lack enthusiasm when facing another long day of appointments. You begin to wonder if specialty medicine is as stimulating as you hoped when you are discussing epilepsy, Cushing's disease, lymphoma, or whatever has become the "vaccine and heartworm preventative talk" for your specialty. This is when we begin to think "Am I doing what I want to be doing right now?" Most veterinary specialists consider private practice the only practical career choice. Rewarding salaries and a fast pace are alluring, but the long hours and constant struggle to make production goals can be exhausting. Options considered by specialists are either industry, academia, or permanent locum work. These are all possibilities, but academia carries a unique set of challenges and rewards. Private practice allows a clinician to maximize financial production, foster strong bonds with owners and their pets, and offer shorter workweeks. Academic challenges include a lower salary, but most Universities offer enhanced benefits. The rewards of working in a teaching hospital include access to innovative care, student teaching, and mentoring residents. Supporting house officers and being on call can add to the workload, but time off-clinics can foster intellectual development and professional recognition. Exploration of these topics can offer a renewed sense of purpose to veterinary specialists.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, the participant will be able to differentiate the key differences in the practice of specialty veterinary medicine practice in academia and the private sector. Private practice can have a limited case variety, appointment time constraints, and a client-centered environment which can foster rewarding interactions. Academia focuses on a deep intellectual dive into cases, teaching, and mentorship of students, residents, and interns, opportunities for research, and access to novel treatments.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to compare what impacts career satisfaction in academia and private/corporate practice. Private practice offers limited opportunities for career advancement unless a veterinarian takes on an administrative role. Academic settings can offer diverse opportunities such as curriculum development, administration, and unit leadership, along with a defined review and advancement process that clearly outlines expectations.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to recognize the differences found in work-life balance between academia and private/corporate practice. In private practice, you can develop a community of referring veterinarians who rely on your ability and generally have a shorter work week with longer individual days. Academic institutions allow more autonomy as you gain seniority along with career advancement. Most veterinary teaching hospitals have defined times on and off clinics and generous vacation time. Off-clinic time allows for scholarly pursuit, training of house officers, and the ability to pursue research if chosen.
