The veterinary profession is witnessing a significant shift as more practitioners choose relief work over traditional full-time positions, creating both opportunities and challenges for veterinary hospitals across the country.
The Two Sides of Relief Veterinary Medicine
“It’s been both positive and negative for me,” explains Elaine Myers, MS, RVT, CVPM, hospital administrator at Orange County Emergency Pet Clinics, Inc. in California. “The positive is that I have a large pool of doctors who can fill shifts, even last minute. The negative is that it makes it more difficult to find full-time veterinarians because the supply interested in full-time employment is smaller.”
This growing trend presents a complex challenge for practice managers trying to balance staffing needs with consistency of care and financial considerations.
Why Veterinarians Choose Relief Work
Many veterinarians are drawn to relief work for several compelling reasons:
Greater flexibility for travel and family time
Ability to earn supplemental income to pay off student loans
Escape from office politics and daily workplace stress
Opportunity to experience different practice environments
Dana Tashjian, VMD, who worked as a relief veterinarian for five years before returning to associate status, appreciated “the flexibility in her schedule and the higher pay.” However, she also noted significant downsides including “dealing with paying taxes as an LLC or S Corp, not having medical insurance offered, and constantly feeling like I couldn’t say no.”
Financial Realities and Continuity of Care
The financial implications of hiring relief veterinarians can be substantial. Myers reports paying up to triple the standard fee during holiday weekends, with some overnight emergency shifts costing between $2,000-$3,500 for a 12- to 14-hour shift.
Leslie Boudreau, BASVT, RVTg, CVPM, SPHR, PHRca, hospital administrator at the AAHA-accredited Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, expressed concern about the economic impact: “I’ve seen practices pay 10 times the amount we paid just a few years ago. It’s crazy. There is no way a practice can stay profitable on the days when they hire a relief veterinarian.”
Beyond the financial considerations, continuity of care remains a significant concern. Staff veterinarians often report challenges following up on cases started by relief doctors due to differences in treatment approaches or documentation practices.
Potential for Positive Change
Dr. Lori Kogan, psychologist and professor of clinical sciences at Colorado State University, sees potential benefits in this shift: “I think that the increase in relief work could prompt veterinary hospitals to evaluate their workplace cultures and perhaps begin offering more flexible scheduling options to attract/retain veterinarians.”
Dr. Cindy Trice, founder of Relief Rover and current chief veterinary officer for Hound, emphasizes that relief veterinarians serve as “pollinators” bringing fresh ideas about products, services, and communication from other practices. They also allow practice owners and associates to take “guilt-free breaks,” preventing burnout among full-time staff.
A Changing Landscape
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the number of relief veterinarians increased 30% from 2008 to 2018. While Dr. Trice notes that “the winds are shifting” with fewer hospitals currently seeking relief help and a ceiling on compensation, she maintains that “there will always be a need for relief veterinarians because they are important to the health of the profession.”
As the veterinary industry continues to evolve, practices that adapt with innovative scheduling, compensation structures, and collaborative environments may find the best balance between staff and relief veterinarians, ultimately benefiting practitioners, practices, and patients alike.
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Source: https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/relief-veterinary-medicine-opportunities-and-challenges/