Veterinary medicine is evolving. The profession is searching for solutions for the growing demand for services, ongoing staff shortages, mental health concerns, and the financial strain that dominate our thoughts. However, in an industry historically change-resistant, innovation is the only path forward.
One innovation that is gaining traction is mobile veterinary care – a practice model that is going beyond ambulatory large animal care and expanding into general, hospice, and specialized niches.
Mobile veterinary services offer convenience and increased care access for clients with difficult pets or who can’t travel. In addition, veterinarians who choose this path have more control over their careers and can become small business owners without the enormous overhead associated with brick-and-mortar practices.
Here, we discuss the conditions that have led to a recent rise in mobile vet practices, and we offer tips on what is needed to get started.
Addressing burnout in vet med
Burnout and serious mental distress affect veterinary professionals more frequently than other professionals as a result of their long hours, emotional work, and stressful cases. Traditional brick-and-mortar practices need to operate at maximum capacity to accommodate existing clients and bring in revenue, so the schedule is often packed. Mobile veterinary practices offer an alternative to this “rat race” mentality.
Because most mobile veterinarians own their practices and schedules, they have flexibility and control over their working conditions. They decide how much or little they want to work, and they can easily adjust when their needs change because of children and family. The ability to set boundaries and develop autonomy can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction, keeping these vets in the profession longer.
💡 See also: How mobile practice MoVET ignited staff compassion and enthusiasm
Addressing staff shortages in vet med
Veterinary technicians and other skilled support staff can be hard to find and keep, but mobile veterinarians often practice alone or with a single technician. Smaller practices need fewer team members and they offer flexibility not only to the veterinarian owner, but also to the support team. Reduced stress and better working conditions encourage veterinary technicians to remain in the profession and to follow the career path best suited to their needs.
Balance and boundaries for veterinarians
The rise of mobile veterinary practices offers simultaneous relief and competition for traditional practices. Many mobile vets develop relationships with local brick-and-mortars, so they can send them patients who need imaging, surgery, dentistry, or other advanced care not possible in a mobile setting. The division of labor between a traditional and mobile practice can help spread out caseloads and ensure pets have more care options.
However, traditional clinics should understand that veterinarians and support team members who feel overworked or poorly treated will likely look for alternate arrangements, including mobile or relief practices, that offer flexible work that meets their needs. A JAVMA survey of veterinarians who left traditional practice for mobile work showed that 78% were satisfied with their work-life balance. Still, the threat of veterinarians seeking better opportunities could improve working conditions and benefits in traditional practices.
Empowering veterinarians with practice ownership
A mobile veterinary practice can offer young veterinarians a path to independence. Most vets graduate with astronomical debt, so buying a practice is often not possible. However, mobile vets require significantly lower overhead and startup costs, estimated to be only 25% of the amount required for a traditional practice.
Moreover, mobile care allows for direct interaction with clients and pets in their own environments, which helps to develop deeper connections. New graduates interested in practicing Fear Free® or low-stress medicine may find that they can uphold their ethical standards in a mobile practice, which is not always possible in a stationary practice setting.
Setting up a mobile veterinary practice
For veterinarians interested in mobile care, setting up a mobile practice involves much the same key logistical steps as opening any other business. New entrants in the veterinary ownership world should hire a lawyer, accountant, and practice consultant to navigate the process. Steps to acquire a mobile practice include:
- Forming a legal business entity, such as an LLC.
- Securing insurance and proper licenses, including DEA approvals to carry controlled drugs.
- Acquiring and outfitting a vehicle with necessary medical equipment.
- Partnering with local brick-and-mortar practices for advanced care or sick pet referrals.
- Setting up cloud-based practice management software and other technology to facilitate remote work, payment, and communication.
- Marketing the practice through social media, advertising, word-of-mouth, and community engagement.
Key takeaways
- Mobile veterinary practices accommodate clients seeking convenient, low-stress veterinary visits, and appeal to veterinary professionals facing burnout and workplace stress.
- Mobile practices can be an entry point into practice ownership for young, entrepreneurial veterinarians who can’t afford to purchase a brick-and-mortar practice.
- Surveys show that veterinarians had improved job satisfaction and work-life balance after leaving traditional practice and moving into relief or mobile veterinary practice.
Harnessing the power of cloud-based software
Mobile vet practice is a promising solution to several major veterinary industry problems, including burnout, stress, and barriers to practice ownership. Mobile practices can benefit from Provet Cloud software’s mobile-specific solutions, along with our standard features and myriad integrations.
Schedule a demo with our team to learn more and take the first step toward your dream practice life.
