What Does It Mean to Practice Autonomous Medicine?

4 min read

Veterinarians go to work every day and do what they love: care for pets and help them live long, healthy lives. So, it can be frustrating to have to work within rigid care protocols that dictate your every professional decision. Some call this “cookbook medicine.” But one veterinary hospital network is working to change that by empowering veterinarians to practice autonomous medicine.

When looking for your next veterinary role, it’s important to consider whether the practice empowers its doctors to practice autonomous medicine. Vetco Total Care hospitals promote autonomous medicine for all of our doctors, creating a very different experience for doctors and – ultimately—pets. Michael Ogden-Schuette, DVM and Hospital Medical Leader at Vetco Total Care, had this to say about autonomous medicine:

“Autonomous medicine at Petco means that our area medical directors and hospital veterinarians determine the diagnostic and care protocols, decide on treatment plans, and select medications based on what is right for their patients, pet parents and the community in which they practice. Vetco Total Care offers our doctors fully autonomous medicine; we are free to utilize the most up-to-date treatment options from new continuing education courses as we deem appropriate. Our online ordering system allows us to make requests for medications not currently stocked and add them to the options for ALL clinics going forward. We are free to practice medicine our way—and allowing teams to build their own systems gives us all ownership of our clinic.”

Discover The Secret Benefits of Practicing Autonomous Veterinary Medicine

Ready to work in a thriving, full-service veterinary practice without running yourself into the ground? Working in a veterinary hospital where you and your team are empowered to practice autonomous medicine can have some surprising career, personal, and wellness benefits!

The Freedom to Call the Shots

One of the biggest perks of working at a hospital that empowers doctors to practice autonomous medicine is the ability to determine the best diagnostic and treatment plans, the right medications, and make the right decisions for patients and pet parents. We call it "freedom within a framework”—a set of parameters that enables you to use your expertise, knowledge, and skills while knowing that all major medical decisions are looked at from a medical perspective and you have the support of field medical leadership.

Less Stress and Veterinarian Burnout

Working long hours caring for pets (and anxious pet parents) can quickly lead to “veterinarian burnout” or compassion fatigue. It’s a problem many medical professionals face, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated everyone’s stress and anxiety. But working in a hospital where you’re empowered, trusted, and respected to make the right treatment decisions for your patients—and a hospital where you know you’re providing the best care possible—can help to alleviate stress. Further, it helps to know you’re supported and encouraged by hospital medical leaders and well-trained staff working together in a positive and collaborative environment.

Building a Team and a Hospital Culture

At Vetco Total Care, we support every partner’s right to bring their true and whole self to work every day and to feel safe being who they are in the workplace. As the de facto leader of a full-service veterinary hospital, you set the tone and help build an inclusive, professional, collaborative, and supportive hospital culture. Your values will guide the staff and ultimately deliver outstanding experiences for every patient and client. Plus, you get to nurture a work environment in which people are excited to come to work, willing to give it their all, and who genuinely care for and support each other.

Grow, Learn and Develop in Your Career

A hospital that empowers doctors to practice autonomous medicine also values continued education and lifelong learning. At Vetco Total Care, full-time veterinarians have access to a $3500 stipend for continued education, enabling you to expand your skillset and knowledge. As well, our vet techs and assistants also have access to continuing education stipends and licensure reimbursements, so you’re always working alongside well-trained and knowledgeable technical staff. Plus, Vetco Total Care offers many career growth and leadership opportunities often not found elsewhere.

More Time to Care and Make a Difference

At Vetco Total Care, it’s important that doctors, pets, and pet parents build a trusting, long-lasting relationship. That one-on-one time is as important to the standard of care you provide as the right diagnostics and medicine.You’ll also be supported by a team of trained paraprofessionals and hospital staff to support the best patient experience and client communications.

Knowing The Vetco Total Care Difference

It’s understandable why some veterinarians may feel hesitant to join a corporate hospital with rigid protocols or high-pressure sales tactics.

“Vetco Total Care values quality patient care as our primary concern, and everything else flows from that focus. Having the opportunity to speak with owners and build real relationships is wonderful. Vetco Total Care is making great strides to change the idea of 'corporate' medicine from a stigma to an indication of all the layers of support you will receive.” - Michael Ogden-Schuette, DVM, Vetco Total Care

Here are just a few things you can expect working as a Vetco Total Care veterinarian:

Being empowered to practice autonomous medicine—doctors set care protocols, determine treatment plans and have the freedom to do what is right for each patient.
The freedom to focus on patient care, not meeting unattainable sales metrics.
Vets have attainable goals and are not salespeople; they focus on patient care.
Access to the latest tools, resources, diagnostics, and support doctors need such as digital dental radiology, Butterfly IQ+ ultrasound, access to medications without a strict formulary, on-site labs, X-ray suites, and more.
Cloud-based veterinary management software for more efficient scheduling, less paperwork, instant access to accurate patient records, and an easy way to access and share patient records across the hospital network. As part of a collaborative network of hospitals, have easy access to other Vetco Total Care hospitals for questions and white-glove support from field medical leadership.