New training initiative to focus on better communication skillsAugust 29, 2019The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and CareCredit are working together to help veterinarians develop advanced communication skills to improve the quality of care for pets and their families. Launching in 2020, the Advanced Clinician-Client Dynamics training initiative comprises workshops and courses to help veterinarians identify and address medical topics and concerns between clinicians, other veterinary team members, and clients early by recognizing pet owners' perspectives and goals. The goal of the three-year strategic partnership is to help participants use their knowledge to build greater trust with the pet owner, with the intended result of acceptance and follow through on medical recommendations, follow-up visits, and pursuit of advanced medical care for improved outcomes for the pet and family. By effectively connecting with team members and pet owners, veterinarians can work toward decreasing job-related stress and avoid burnout. "Traditionally, residency programs have focused on training for technical skills," says current ACVIM president-elect and incoming chief executive officer, Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM (oncology). "Along with a shifting demographic in our college, with many more ACVIM specialists working in private practice, there is greater recognition of the importance of professional skills in achieving better medical and business outcomes." The training initiative …
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Stoner news: Struvite diets for cats and dogsMarch 28, 2019While struvite uroliths may in some cases require surgical intervention, the recommended standard of care by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is medical dissolution with a therapeutic diet formulated to alter urine acidity and encourage water consumption. Dietary dissolution of struvite stones is both effective and inexpensive. Therapeutic diets limit calculogenic compounds (e.g. phosphorus and magnesium) and acidify urine. That makes the urine a less welcoming environment for stone formation and dissolves stones that are present. Concerns medical dissolution places pets at risk of urethral obstruction are not borne out by the literature, according to the ACVIM consensus statement, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (JVIM) in 2016. Dietary management itself has changed as well. The shift from struvite-only dissolution or prevention diets to combination struvite dissolution/prevention and calcium oxalate prevention diets is the biggest change in management of these uroliths, says Cailin Heinze, VMD, Dipl. ACVN, assistant professor of nutrition at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Causes differ Struvite uroliths occur in both dogs and cats, but have different causes. In dogs, struvite stones—the most common type seen—develop almost exclusively as a result of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by …
ACVIM, VetBloom partner to build elearning platformJune 13, 2018The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is partnering with VetBloom, the digital learning ecosystem from Ethos Veterinary Health, to create a virtual learning environment for ACVIM and its members. Also, VetBloom will develop an integrated online portal for tracking and reporting of data related to the Maintenance of Credential (MOC) program for ACVIM Diplomates, as well as for tracking of resident specialty training and credentials. Key aspects of the partnership include: A fully branded ACVIM learning site with custom resources for members Paperless, online, automated MOC and resident specialty tracking An ACVIM eCommerce portal for nonmembers Ongoing digital access to ACVIM events Access to curated education from VetBloom and other members of the VetBloom learning community "Both ACVIM and VetBloom bring rich and complementary knowledge and experience to the relationship, and this presents us with a synergistic opportunity to develop a learning ecosystem that creates tremendous benefit for a number of audiences," said Patrick Welch, DVM, MBA, DACVO, chief knowledge officer of Ethos Veterinary Health. "VetBloom is a trusted resource in the veterinary field," said Veronica Muñoz, ACVIM CEO. "We look forward to combining VetBloom's expertise in developing veterinary education …
ACVIM Foundation dissolves, gives funds to MAFJanuary 4, 2018 The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Foundation, as part of its planned dissolution, has selected Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) to receive its remaining funds to invest in animal health research. "We believe that partnering with Morris Animal Foundation is the best way to see execution on the ACVIM Foundation's mission," said Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM, president of the ACVIM Foundation. "Through a named fund at Morris Animal Foundation, we will continue to improve the health of animals worldwide." The ACVIM board of regents previously voted to dissolve the ACVIM Foundation on a recommendation from the foundation's board of directors. A transition task force was created to oversee distribution of remaining funds. Morris Animal Foundation has established the ACVIM Fund, while the ACVIM plans to support MAF by sharing MAF research findings with veterinary audiences. "We look forward to working collaboratively with ACVIM to use these funds in a manner that will best advance veterinary medicine and improve animal health and well-being," said John Reddington, DVM, Ph.D., president and CEO of MAF. The ACVIM Foundation has distributed remaining funds totaling nearly $424,000 to MAF. Grants awarded with these funds will recognize …
