Meeting other vets

RE: Meeting other vets

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 10:13:11 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30497/meeting-other-vets/239978#239978"]

Nothing to do with Zoom?

I loathe it, having had the misfortune to use it maybe 7 times in lockdown, it's an awful medium. I now actively avoid it.

[/quote]

I love it and loathe it depending on what I'm using it for.

For example, for work meetings with editorial team at Improve, max two or three people, I really like it. I find it is very helpful to put a face to the voice in a situation where otherwise it would probably be a conference call.

But for large meetings, I find watching a powerpoint presentation alongside a sea of faces very unsatisfying.

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30497/meeting-other-vets/239985#239985"]I'm probably a bit of an odd one out, but I don't really understand why vets would need to seek out other vets for socialising.[/quote]

I rather agree. But I'm not sure if people really do seek each other out just because of a shared profession.

I think we tend to form friendships with people with whom we have other things in common. For me, bicycling is a good example. Made very good friends with a group of about ten people recently, none of whom edit websites for vets, or are vets, or work in practice. I think one or two might have a dog, but that's about as close as it gets.

Makes me think, a few years ago, I had some functionality built into this website which could connect people with shared interests, both clinical and outside work. Never really pushed it very hard, and I think it got switched off in one of the more recent upgrades. But I wonder if I should resurrect it.

RE: Meeting other vets

Rob Loxley — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 15:38:19 GMT

I do miss evening CPD sessions, either at one of our local referral centres or hosted by a drug company somewhere. The social interaction with colleagues (and not just the few vets I work with daily), with colleagues working in different practices with different challenges, was always stimulating. Sitting on a zoom call is rather stale. It's also interesting to chat with the speaker and/or drug company reps, and in the case of referral hospital CPD I could meet the specialists I was recommending to my clients for their pets.

And unlike Michael, I do think that an uninterruped break in the day from work (usually at lunchtime), to eat/sit quietly/go for a walk/ go to the shop/walk the dog, is there for good reason (beyond legal requirement), and a lunch/learn (or practice meeting, head office regional Teams meeting etc) should not replace it. I get that lunch break time is a convenient time to get everyone together for a meeting/CPD, but if it's important enough, then schedule it in the day AND give people their break.

RE: Meeting other vets

Julie Innes — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 10:23:22 GMT

I'm probably a bit of an odd one out, but I don't really understand why vets would need to seek out other vets for socialising. I have vets at my work I can talk to about vet stuff, but my social group is made up of a wider variety of people. Even at university I tended to socialise outside the veterinary group (which seemed to be not the norm even then) .

I love the fact that most CPD is now online, and I don't have to trail out, get lost, feel awkward among groups of people I don't know! (But I'm aware I'm probably a bit strange!) I do sometimes go out with my workmates- I'm not completely anti-vet! I just think there are so many interesting people out there, and only a small percentage of them are vets!

RE: Meeting other vets

Bob Russell — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:13:13 GMT

Before lockdown the BSAVA meetings were part of veterinary life. It was a disappointment to find fewer and fewer faces I knew. The youngsters clearly knew each other! Meetings briefly went toplaces it was not possible to get too!

Sign of the times I suppose.

RE: Meeting other vets

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 22:59:56 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30497/meeting-other-vets/239977#239977"]It is sad, but it seems the general feeling is that people are too tired/burnuot out to want to go out for work related stuff in an evening. [/quote]

I think there are two issues, and that seems to be one of them. The feeling that CPD is something to do in work time and when you are off you are off. Not that it's making you a better vet to give up a few evenings to learn and enjoy the social side. I read something recently on FB where young vets were unwilling to do a lunch and learn if they didn't ALSO get their lunch hour. Wow.

The second thing is - if you build it they will come. Put something on that people can get to, sounds interesting, has food and they will come. I have no doubt - even if the room not filled with many fresh young faces.

RE: Meeting other vets

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:24:36 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30497/meeting-other-vets/239977#239977"]However, since Covid, the meetings went to zoom, they have gradually fizzled out and we are on the point of disbanding[/quote]

Nothing to do with Zoom?

I loathe it, having had the misfortune to use it maybe 7 times in lockdown, it's an awful medium. I now actively avoid it.

I presented a talk to 150 people, I had no idea if any were listening, making the tea, or walking the dog

I've listened as well, well I had too in reality, as on most occasions it's been dominated by one person who doesn't know when to stop talking (not the speaker) and everyone was too polite to pull the plug out of their modem (metaphorically)

Neil

RE: Meeting other vets

Jill Butterworth — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:02:39 GMT

Have you ever been to your local BVA branch meeting? There used to be a very active Herts and Beds Veterinary Society, I organised the program for a few years: there would be a speaker for an hours free CPD, some snacks and networking/discussion afterwards, we met every month. However, since Covid, the meetings went to zoom, they have gradually fizzled out and we are on the point of disbanding. It is sad, but it seems the general feeling is that people are too tired/burnuot out to want to go out for work related stuff in an evening.