Continuing educations for vets: A grinding week at Peppermill

I yawned as I pulled into the garage at 1 in the morning. I had just come home from a week in Reno, Nev., where I stayed at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.   Besides a large casino (and the ubiquitous slot machines scattered throughout the resort), there was a spa, two swimming pools, a large fitness center, three boutiques, 11 restaurants, and over a dozen lounges. 

But don’t ask me how much money I won gambling, how I enjoyed a relaxing massage, or even how the weather in Reno was, because I don’t know!  I was there for the Wild West Veterinary Conference. And though I did get to eat a couple of sandwiches poolside, the rest of the amenities unfortunately were wasted on me.  By the time the seminars were over for the day, my neurons were fatigued, and all I wanted to do was eat dinner and go to my room to watch something completely mindless on TV.  But for those who desired it, there was plenty to keep them busy besides the aforementioned perks, including hikes in the mountains, sunrise yoga, and golf.

To maintain a professional license in Illinois, veterinarians have to accumulate 40 hours of continuing education over two years.  Sitting through seminars all day earns about six hours, which means it takes about a week of full-time learnin’ to fulfill the educational requirements.  It doesn’t seem like a lot of time, really, and most of us at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital go well over our limit.  But attending at least one of these large seminars is usually necessary to attain our 40-hour goal.  We fill in the blanks with local seminars and online webcasts. 

Because many of the larger conferences are far away, improving one’s gray matter isn’t inexpensive.   These conventions are businesses unto themselves, and they need to have good attendance and make money.  They know that veterinarians and their staffs would rather go to Orlando or San Francisco than Chicago or Milwaukee ─ hence the trip to Reno.

 

My erudition for the week was heavy on dentistry and geriatric feline medicine, with some dermatology, cytology, and orthopedics thrown in the mix.   In addition to the seminars I attended, there were offerings in complementary, alternative, exotic, and equine medicines; business lectures; and a separate, comprehensive program for veterinary technicians.

 

Besides offering valuable learning experiences, these conferences are great way to connect with our colleagues, whether known or unfamiliar.  Due to his many speaking engagements and his involvement at the North American Veterinary Conference, Dr. Barten has a large network of friends and colleagues and is sure to always have a companionable group to socialize with at any given meeting.  Me?  Not so much, but it’s always interesting to sit next to another veterinarian or technician and hear about their experiences and opinions.  I’ve learned a lot from them over the years.

  

Another essential part of our ongoing education is learning about new drugs and technology, and the exhibition hall is the place to go for that.  Dozens of companies involved in veterinary medicine have exhibits where one can learn about and buy new equipment, services, gadgets, drugs, diets, software, and books.  It’s also a place to connect with the people who help you run certain aspects of your practice.  I finally got to meet Jose, a computer guru with eVetsites.com, the company that builds and hosts our website.  I have enlisted his help over the phone many times, and it was nice to finally meet the man who belongs to the voice!  

Continuing education (CE) is important for veterinarians and our staffs because it helps us deliver the best quality of medicine we possibly can.   It’s impossible to keep up with all aspects of our profession, even with dozens of hours of CE, but we certainly do our best.  Just as important, it helps us know when we need to refer a patient in order to make sure the pet gets the best care it deserves.   But CE is not glamorous; it’s work, albeit fun work.  And exhausting.  I’m used to running around the hospital and interacting with pets and clients, not sitting still for hours at a time and absorbing new knowledge. For me, staying awake during lectures requires multiple cups of coffee, and based on the lines at the conference coffee urns, I’m not alone!   But stay awake I did, and the reward was a revitalized frame of mind and the ability to incorporate some new ideas in our practice.