VN June 2023

Vetnews | Junie 2023 27 It is becoming very clear to us on the SAVA and other Helplines that one of the biggest factors in our profession’s exceedingly high level of burnout, anxiety, depression and even suicide is YOUR attitude! I was there, so while I am pointing at you, three of my fingers are definitely pointing back at me! The seniors in practices are wanting (expecting, demanding) their pound of flesh, believing the“youngsters”should handle a lot of the load and can/should stoically face the learning experiences of disappointments and failures;“after all, WE went through that fiery furnace and look at us now!” It is nonsense to compare“our days”with“today’s times”. Situations, pressures, and expectations CHANGE! Do you know the inevitabilities? Death, taxes and change. One thing that does not change is a young colleague needing and receiving mentoring … and especially being complimented. An author I know exceptionally well once penned this: An undeserved compliment given is a tragedy; however, a deserved compliment NOT given is a sin! That thirsting for some recognition that you’re doing OK as a young vet is insatiable. There was a new graduate who was desperate to receive even a crumb of guidance, a compliment, or even after a mistake to be shown some compassion, then shown how he/she should do it on the next occasion such a situation occurred. But this new grad received never a word, one way or the other! Neither a kick on the backside or a pat on the back. After six months, that crestfallen youngster left the practice and sought greener pastures wherein to get to grips with, and steered into, the real vet world. During his/her gaining experience elsewhere, the original practice owner offered him/her a permanent position. The reply was a non-negotiable middle finger! So that’s simply what this short letter of appeal is about … “Seniors, cut our new colleagues some slack. PLEASE?” And, I almost forgot, the above appeal, wake-up call, refers to your staff too. You won’t believe how many appeals for help we field from the good folk that right under your noses, hold your ship together! Are the original noble“we’re one happy dynamic team here”principles on which your practices were founded suffering from“procedural drift”or “normalization of deviants?”Perhaps it’s time to step back dispassionately, with a checklist…… Tod Collins Underberg 14 May 2023 LETTERTOPRACTICEPRINCIPALSAND/ORMANAGERS Letters “TheSouthAfricanVeterinaryAssociationaims to serve itsmembers and to further thestatus and imageof theveterinarian. Wearecommitted toupholding thehighest professional andscientific standardsbyutilising theprofessional knowledge, skill and resources of ourmembers, to foster close tieswith the communityand thuspromote thehealthand welfareof animals andmankind”. MISSION STATEMENT SAVA-CVCsupportsvets thatprovideprimary Servicing and enhancing the veterinary community since 1920! Tel: 012 346 1150 E-mail: vethouse@sava.co.za www.sava.co.za