#141: From FOMO to Pro: How I Use AI in the Clinic (And How You Can Too). With Dr Hubert Hiemstra
In this solo episode Hugh tackles a bold idea: if you're not currently using AI in your clinical veterinary work, you may be falling behind. And if/when artificial intelligence gets to the point where it reliably has access to all the most up to date information for managing your patients, will you be negligent if you DON’T use it? Hubert shares how artificial intelligence is quietly but powerfully reshaping veterinary practice. He paints a vivid picture of an AI-powered clinic, shows you practical tools you can start using immediately, and challenges you to rethink the future of your role as a vet.What you'll discover:A demo showing how to use ChatGPT for clinical reasoning, how to build your own custom AI assistants, and how to set up a personal knowledge library with free tools like Google's NotebookLM.How to spot and handle AI hallucinations — and why your human skills like empathy and ethical judgment are still your unique superpowers.The business opportunities of AI for your practice, and why clinics that embrace AI may thrive while others struggle.How AI could reshape veterinary education and open doors to a more sustainable, fulfilling career.Hubert doesn’t just speculate — he shows you how AI can work in clinics today, and how you can lead instead of lagging behind.Tune in if you're ready to future-proof your practice, sharpen your skills, and unlock a better way to be a vet.Try out our AI Blood Gas AssistantJoin us at Vets on Tour Wānaka, NZ, for the most fun CE event you’ll attend this year. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com.Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space.Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.Topics and time stamps03:08 What could the future of clinical practice look like with AI?12:48 Can I trust it? What does the data say?18:22 Where does Ai get its information from?25:20 How I use it: Using 'general' models for clinical decision making33:29 Building your own Ai tools34:06 Google Notebook LM40:58 MyGPT - your own assistant54:49 What might the role of the future veterinarian look like?
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#140: Science vs Profit: Navigating Medicine, Money, and Morals. With Dr Brennen McKenzie
Join us for the Vet Vault's own conference in the snow: Vets On Tour Wānaka, New Zealand, 10-15 August 2025!Have you ever felt pressured, as a vet, to do more 'stuff' - diagnostics, procedures, and sell more, even when you can’t quite see the clinical justification for it? In this episode we welcome Dr. Brennen McKenzie-veterinarian, researcher, creator of the SkeptVet blog, author of Placebos for Pets? The Truth About Alternative Medicine in Animals, and all-round lover of science-based thinking. And who better to help us draw the line between solid science and revenue-driven decision making than someone who is known for their scepticism? Dr. McKenzie brings real-world wisdom and refreshing honesty to the debate. Together we explore the often-unspoken pressures of profit-driven care, commission-based pay, and what happens when business incentives conflict with good science. Brennen shares lessons from two decades in practice on how to use Spectrum of care reasoning to make clinical decisions that respect science, client resources, and the needs of your employer. A must-listen for any vet who’s ever questioned the system—and their place in it.Find out more about Brennen's current work in longevity at loyal.com.Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com.Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space.Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.Episode Topics and Timestamps08:11 The Shift to Profit Driven Veterinary Practice09:46 A Guide to Evidence-Based Decision Making12:00 Client Communication and Financial Constraints17:31 Spectrum of Care: A New Approach32:15 Overdiagnosis and Screening: A Critical Look39:09 Cognitive Psychology in Veterinary Decision Making42:45 The Power of Checklists in Medical Practice43:18 Balancing Autonomy and Systematic Decision Making45:52 Clinical Audits: Improving Practice Through Data48:36 Intuitive vs. Algorithmic Thinking in Veterinary Medicine51:37 The Pitfalls of Anecdotal Evidence in Veterinary Practice01:07:40 Communicating with Clients About Unproven Therapies01:18:17 Pass Along Question and The One Bit of Advice
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#139: Stop The Overwhelm: Veterinary Productivity Secrets from the Getting Things Done Master. With David Allen
Veterinary practice can be unpredictable, exhausting, and full of interruptions - not that conducive to getting things done, right? But what if you could handle it all with mind-like-water calm?In this episode I pick the brain of productivity legend David Allen, creator of Getting Things Done (GTD), to show you exactly how. This isn’t about squeezing more into your day — it’s about cutting mental clutter, regaining focus, and feeling in control, even when it all hits the fan.You'll learn simple, actionable GTD strategies that busy vets can use today:Master the 5 GTD steps for veterinary practice:Capture: Never lose track of to-dos in a busy clinic againClarify: Break down complex patient tasks into clear next stepsOrganise: Build bulletproof systems your whole team can trustReflect: Create powerful review routines for team rounds and personal clarityEngage: Focus on what matters, when it mattersBeat interruptions without losing your mindWhy task-switching drains your brain — and what to do instead.The simple tools that keep you sane and focused.How to ‘park’ distractions and re-engage fast.Transform team rounds and communicationThe secret to closing open loops (and reducing anxiety for everyone)How structured reflection makes complex caseloads manageableBalancing roles and flexibility for smooth team dynamicsJoin us for Vets On Tour Wānaka, New Zealand, 10-15 August 2025. Limited Early Bird Tickets on sale now. Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com.Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space.Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.Topics and Timestamps03:09 Mind Like Water: The Key to Clarity05:15 Challenges in Veterinary Productivity20:33 Practical Tips for Capturing Tasks28:58 Managing Multiple Projects and Tasks29:26 The Importance of Knowing the Next Step30:14 Dealing with Task Shifting and Interruptions32:25 Organizing Physical and Mental Spaces35:43 Team Dynamics and Productivity38:02 Effective Rounds42:20 Balancing Defined Roles and Flexibility47:35 Book recommendations 48:49 Pass along question
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#138: Veterinary Specialisation Without The Residency: The ’Scenic Route’ You Didn’t Know Existed. With Dr Matt Booth (Part 2)
“Did you know the AVMA doesn’t actually require a residency to become a specialist?”Yeah, neither did we—until Dr. Matt Booth dropped that fact-bomb.And it’s bigger than just an interesting fact - it’s a mindset shift that cracks the door wide open to alternative routes to specialisation—for veterinarrians who want to grow their careers, but can’t jump through the hoops of the traditional residency pathway.So, if you are:- Ambitious, but feeling a bit stuck- Limited by the realities of life outside the clinic- Or just curious about your options in veterinary medicineThis one’s for you.Join us for part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Matt Booth—former ER practice owner and ER practice development lead at Ethos Veterinary Health—as we rethink what’s possible in the future of specialisation.Topics and Time Stamps02:04 Alternative Specialisation Routes03:17 Challenges and Benefits of Non-Traditional Paths09:17 Exploring the Hybrid Credentialing Path19:31 Podcast Recommendations21:54 Pass along questionJoin our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes at vvn.supercast.com.Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space.Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.
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#137: Why Emergency Vets Quit (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not What You Think!) With Dr Matt Booth
Most vets believe it’s inevitable—on average, they leave Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) after just 3-5 years. The obvious culprit? Shift work, right?But what if that’s just scratching the surface?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Booth, ER Practice Development Lead at Ethos Veterinary Health, to break down surprising findings from his survey of 3,500 emergency veterinarians. Together, we explore the Five Buckets of Retention—the REAL factors that determine whether your career in emergency medicine thrives or fizzles out. Spoiler: It’s not all about night shifts and burnout.We dig into leadership challenges, the keys to professional growth, and how these insights apply beyond ECC to every role in veterinary medicine.You’ll also catch highlights from my previous chat with Dr. Matt at IVECCS 2023, where we shared actionable strategies for improving recruitment and building sustainable veterinary careers.Whether you’re an ER vet looking for longevity or a practice leader aiming to attract and retain top talent, this episode is your guide to rethinking retention and career sustainability in veterinary medicine.Topics and Timestamps:00:40 Meet Dr. Matt Booth and the Five Buckets03:47 Recruitment Insights from 202307:36 Survey Findings and Retention Strategies12:07 The Five Buckets of Retention27:07 The Burden of Being a Giver28:23 Creative Solutions for Employee Retention29:04 Leadership and Gender Representation39:59 The Role of paid time off in Retention43:40 Creating a Positive Work Environment46:37 Professional Educational GrowthJoin me at JAVECCS Tokyo on 15 and 16 March, and at IVECCS 2025 in San Diego on 4-8 Septembet.Join our community of Vet Vault Nerds to lift your clinical game and get your groove back with our up-to-date, easy-to-consume clinical episodes, library of show notes and access to our veterinary practice AI Toolbox at vvn.supercast.com.Get help with your tricky cases in our Specialist Support Space.Visit thevetvault.com for show notes and resources related to this episode.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.
About The Vet Vault: Fall In Love With Veterinary Science
Vet life can be tough—but it’s also good. So, how do we make it even better? Join inspiring conversations with veterinary trailblazers who share real stories, fresh ideas, and strategies to help the talented, passionate humans (like you!) who make up the veterinary profession thrive—in work and in life.
Hosted by Dr. Hubert Hiemstra, a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience and a passion for helping vets build happier, more fulfilling careers. Hubert brings warmth, curiosity, and a knack for asking the right questions, creating a space where the best ideas in vet med come to life.
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