Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Importance of psychological safety and appreciation at work discussed by experts
Team members do not engage with their work unless they feel safe, connected and valued
Alan Robinson and Ernie Ward discuss creating a vet and nurse friendly practice

The final afternoon at the virtual BSAVA Congress 2021 focused on recruitment and retention. It is no secret that the veterinary industry can struggle to recruit and retain talent, yet considering the psychological drivers for motivation and engagement at work does not always receive the consideration it deserves.

Alan Robinson, managing director of Vet Dynamics, and Ernie Ward, Chief Strategy Officer at Affordable Pet Labs, discussed the importance of safety and security at work and said that retention was “not just about perks”.

Alan explained how team members do not engage with their work unless they feel safe, connected and valued. “People need to be in a positive psychological and physiological state of flow” said Alan. “They need to be in a supportive and safe relationship with practice leaders and managers.”

Alan stated how, in order to be attractive as a place of work, employers need to create an environment where “people can look after themselves” and where “confidence and competence is encouraged”. He explained how we need to understand the veterinary mindset and to acknowledge how a practice environment can threaten resilience and psychological safety.

“Vets and nurses are ethically and morally driven individuals. We think of ourselves as highly resilient – until we’re not.”

Alan’s top tips for building a psychologically-safe workplace included:
  • allowing self-expression where team members can acknowledge their ‘best selves’ as well as their own fallibility
  • tolerating experimentation by modelling curiosity and encouraging failure with learning
  • encouraging purpose by making it matter and sharing personal stories.

Ernie Ward started his talk by explaining the "four Rs" in that all team members deserve “roles, responsibilities, recognition and rewards” – build it and they will come – and reflected on the importance of regular feedback. “Catch someone doing something good each day!”

Ernie stressed the importance of offering praise publicly, but saving constructive feedback for private environments – a behaviour that leaders need to consciously and consistently self-evaluate.

It was emphasised that the activity of showing appreciation to your team did not have to involve spending a lot of money. “A handwritten card is the most valuable way I have ever found to thank people in person” said Ernie, and noted his positive experience of finding out that a former employee had kept a card that he had written to her many years ago.

Alan recommended researching the concept of management by appreciation and learning the five different versions of appreciation. “Find out how people like to be appreciated and apply that individually.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.