Week 2: Alcatraz Sharkfest, Jumping off Trees, and Prologue Part 2

Just like that Week 2 has come to an end. This week was the second part of the Prologue curriculum which included our first round of problem-based learning (PBL) with our small group. When I initially found out that we had one more week focused on learning about the logistics of vet school before actually STARTING the material, I felt like our time was being wasted. After reflecting on the past week, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We had multiple seminars on communication, financial literacy, and mental health and I can guarantee some things mentioned last week will stick with me throughout my whole career as a veterinarian.

On Monday the first PBL topic was introduced. The theme was centered around veterinary professionalism and we were given two videos to analyze. After watching these videos, we compared the different styles of communication, attire, and overall demeanor of the veterinarian. The purpose of this session was to come up with five topics that we could go out and research with the ultimate goal of creating a list of recommendations for a new veterinarian entering into the workforce. This group met for two hours Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and was periodically observed by one of the faculty to assess teamwork and problem-solving skills. By the time Friday rolled around my team had collected over 40 different resources that addressed our main ideas surrounding veterinary professionalism and we were able to create a list of evidence-based recommendations for the new graduate.

For those of you that were interested in some of our findings, here is the quick and dirty summary:

1. Professional attire does matter to some degree, but a white coat is not necessary and may even be intimidating to some clients and pets.

2. When given a list of treatment options, compared to a single solution, clients feel more invested in the care of their animal which leads to a higher chance of compliance.

3. Using open-ended questioning while taking a medical history leads to a more comprehensive picture of what is actually going on with the pet. *It is also important to fully listen to the client and resist interrupting in attempt to limit conformation bias.

4. Building rapport early on can make a huge difference in patient compliance and satisfaction.

Churro sleeping peacefully knowing that he will never have to worry about debt...

The next major aspect of this week was learning about the financial reality of vet school. The fact that vet school is expensive is nothing new. These presentations provided information on the veterinary industry as a whole, broke down the corporate vs private practice ownership realities, and gave some insight as what to expect regarding your salary straight out of vet school, depending on the path that you choose to pursue. Finances are never the most interesting thing to talk about, but this information was extremely helpful, and it was also interesting to see that the debt-to-income ratio is slowly dropping down to 1.0 which is more similar to that of our medical school collogues. It was also mentioned that the starting salary of those that did an internship, but chose not to specialize, was not significantly different than someone that did not

complete an internship and went straight into practice after graduating. Just some food for thought...

The week wrapped up with a mental health seminar which ended up being my favorite lecture of the week. The amount of work that UC Davis has done to support their students and make sure that everyone has access to the help they need is phenomenal. This presentation was given by two of our faculty mentors and the level vulnerability that they spoke with was eye opening. They shared about their own mental health struggles and one mentor shared two key signs that he now recognizes as an indication that he needs to take to step back and take a break. While these may not relate to everyone, they are good ways to check-in with yourself when things get crazy.

1. You start referring to your patients solely by their issues. There is so much going on that each case begins to become something to be ticked off a checklist and the animals lose their individualism. The connection aspect is lost, and the treatment seems to be on autopilot.

2. A euthanasia appointment is seen as a “short record” or easy break. The emotion of this situation has been eliminated and it is just another thing to get done. It is also seen as a slight break because the medical record is less involved.

Both of these stuck out to me because I think that it is so common for everyone in a clinic setting to get overwhelmed by the business and start seeing the day as steps to just get through. Taking a moment to step back and realize that behind each one of those furry, scaly, and slimy faces is an owner that is deeply connected to their baby.

One other thing that stuck with me from that presentation was the question, “who gets your best?

No one can be 100% all of the time so if you are always 100% while at your job, odds are by the time you get home you are exhausted. It’s easy to snap at a family member, housemate, or friend just because you have nothing left to give. I think the reason I took this to heart was because I have done this countless times, not just in a work setting, but also in a school setting. Asking this question gives you a chance to recoup and determine who you want to actually get your best. Most of us probably fall into the category of “people pleasers” so this may be a challenge, but an awesome area for growth! You can still show up and be amazing at your job, but you do not have to give absolutely everything you have, leaving nothing left for the people that you care about the most. Most importantly, checking-in ensures that you take time to take care of yourself. We can’t help others if we are run ragged and are neglecting our own needs.

The week wrapped up with our first veterinary ethics lecture. Not so “fun” little fact, Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, had the belief that animals were machines devoid of souls and justified live vivisection!!!

My sister and I after the Alcatraz swim!

This week wrapped up with a slammed weekend! On Saturday I raced the Alcatraz Sharkfest which was a 1.4 mile open-water swim from the Alcatraz Island to shore. The water has always been my “happy place,” so it was extremely nice to be back in my element after these past few weeks of change!

Nicole and I before doing the partner climb!

On Sunday, a bunch of my classmates and I spent the day climbing trees, jumping off platforms, and ziplining. UC Davis sponsored a trip to a high ropes course in Sonoma as a way to initiate class bonding. This was an amazing way to get to know fellow classmates and challenge yourself physically and mentally.

With all of that said, Prologue has officially come to an end and tomorrow we hit the books! I am incredibly grateful that UC Davis has placed such an emphasis on being transparent about the hard parts of vet school along with reminding all of us that it is necessary to take time to play!

See you next week,

Izzy

Also Happiest of Birthdays to Mad back at VCVC <3