Discover insights on managing veterinary board complaints in this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360.
Board complaints are a source of anxiety for many practitioners, but they don't have to be. In this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sits down with Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, chief veterinary officer of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, to shed more light on the process. From debunking common misconceptions to exploring possible reasons why complaints are increasing, Venit shares essential insights on what to expect and how to navigate the common pitfalls of the profession.
Below is a partial transcript.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: Is there any advice that you would give to those [who] maybe have [received] a complaint against them, just to help maintain their own mental health as they're going through this process?
Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM: Yeah, I know it hurts so bad, especially [because] it's usually the client you spent the most time with [and who] you really bent over backward for. It really does hurt. It hurts a lot. The advice that I would give is just to remember that it doesn't say anything about you as a clinician. It doesn't say anything about you as a veterinarian or as a person. A lot of this…could just be a way that the client is dealing with their own grief or regret, and just remember that they have feelings. You have feelings. There are a lot of really big feelings involved.
In terms of stress about going through this event, the board is there to have an objective eye and…is not there to take away the license. They're there to correct any deficiencies. So even if you go through the process and they do determine that there is a deficiency or you could have done something better…the most likely outcome…is [continuing education] and a fine.
Ultimately, you will get on the other side of this. In only very extreme cases do they suspend a license or…revoke a license. And extreme cases are [when] you have continued repeated complaints that you're just not addressing…or you actually commit a felony. I don't think anybody will accidentally commit a felony. I think we're OK there. If they're listening to this podcast, I don't think we have to worry about that. Those extreme cases are one side, but for the most part, it's a fine, it's continuing education, [and] it's making you a better veterinarian. That's the main thing that I would say to just keep in mind.