Efficiency Tips for Sustainable Vet Med

Words by: Dr. Marisa Brunetti and Dr. Sam Cantor

Key Takeaways from AVMA 2025

Veterinary professionals are deeply passionate about helping animals and supporting clients. But that passion, while inspiring, isn’t enough to guard against burnout on its own. In fact, without efficient systems in place, passion can sometimes accelerate exhaustion, leaving us vulnerable and struggling.

At AVMA 2025, we shared insights on how inefficiencies in veterinary practices can directly contribute to burnout — and, crucially, what we can do to fix it. Our goal? Create a more sustainable, fulfilling approach to practice that supports both people and patients.

Efficiency: A Team Sport

Efficiency isn’t just about moving faster or checking boxes more quickly. It’s about maximizing productivity while minimizing wasted effort and stress. True efficiency is achieved when everyone — from client service representatives to technicians to veterinarians — works in alignment, supported by shared goals and clear communication.

Creating an efficient practice takes intentional investment. It requires defining expectations, aligning on protocols, and fostering a culture of trust and openness. The outcome? A stronger, happier team that delivers better patient care and enjoys more fulfilling workdays.

Understanding Burnout and Its Impact

Burnout in veterinary medicine is at an all-time high. Studies by Veterinary Integration Solutions and Galaxy Vets highlight alarming trends in work exhaustion and disengagement, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. IndeVets’ own data underscores this reality: 83% of new Associate IndeVets report feeling disengaged when they start.

But there’s good news — efficiency initiatives have been shown to help. By improving daily workflows and supporting staff, we can help veterinarians leave work on time, maintain better work-life balance, and experience deeper fulfillment in their roles.

How Can Increased Efficiency Lead to Decreased Burnout?

When efficiency improves, so does overall well-being. Here’s how:

• Leaving work earlier improves work-life balance. With an optimized workflow, your to-do list feels more manageable, allowing you to truly unplug and enjoy personal time.
• Respecting boundaries and fully utilizing team strengths increases retention and engagement. When each person works to their full potential, they feel valued — and practice culture benefits.
• Protecting the schedule helps manage caseloads. This reduces the risk of mistakes made when multitasking under pressure.
• Delegating tasks creates more time for client communication. This leads to higher client satisfaction and boosts personal and professional fulfillment for veterinarians.

Improving efficiency is more than operational. It’s a commitment to honoring your team’s time, energy, and well-being.

Practical Strategies to Improve Efficiency

Prioritize and plan together. Start each day with a team huddle. In just five to ten minutes, you can set priorities, clarify roles, discuss schedule changes, and build energy for the day ahead. Everyone leaves knowing what to expect and feeling more connected.

Delegate effectively. Delegation isn’t simply offloading tasks. It means trusting your team to handle responsibilities confidently. Provide clear instructions, share your rationale when appropriate, and express gratitude. This empowers team members and strengthens relationships.

Streamline medical records and communications. Utilize pre-written SOAP templates and summary handouts. Consistency in record-keeping not only saves time but also reduces stress when communicating with clients or other team members.

Leverage AI scribe tools. At IndeVets, we use VetRec, an AI scribe that captures exam findings and notes in real time. Instead of spending hours catching up on records, doctors can focus on patient care and finish documentation quickly and accurately.

Use travel sheets and discharge handouts. Travel sheets help track patient progress during hospitalization, improving clarity and minimizing errors. Discharge instructions, when clear and thorough, enhance client understanding and reduce the likelihood of follow-up calls or misunderstandings.

Consistency across shifts. Create clear protocols for commonly performed tasks (like vaccine appointments, wellness visits, and basic procedures). This reduces decision fatigue and makes onboarding new staff smoother.

Handle curveballs thoughtfully. Veterinary practice is inherently unpredictable. Walk-ins, emergencies, and last-minute cases will happen. Having clear, adaptable protocols for these situations helps you maintain control and keep stress in check.

Refine delegation and training. Invest time in training your team on how to handle delegated responsibilities confidently. A well-trained team feels empowered and is more likely to stay engaged and invested in the practice.

Protect the schedule. Overcommitting or squeezing in extra cases may seem productive in the moment but can lead to more errors and higher stress. It’s okay — and necessary — to say “no” to non-urgent add-ons when possible. Prioritize urgent cases and delegate effectively to stay focused on top priorities. This will reduce the number of incomplete tasks at the end of the day, allowing doctors and staff to leave on time and truly disconnect. Respecting your schedule also signals to your team that their time is valuable, reinforcing a culture of mutual respect and support.

Managing Emotional Overload: SSTA

Efficiency and emotional regulation go hand in hand. The SSTA method offers a simple framework to manage emotional overload:

• STOP. Pause and acknowledge what you’re feeling.
• SLOW DOWN. Breathe and create space to think clearly.
• THINK. Evaluate options, reach out if needed, and plan a response.
• ACT. Move forward mindfully.

These steps help you regain composure, even in the busiest, most stressful moments.

 Let’s Build a Healthier Practice Together

Efficiency is not just about throughput or revenue — it’s about creating a supportive environment where veterinary professionals can thrive. When we prioritize efficiency thoughtfully, we support work-life balance, nurture a positive practice culture, and safeguard mental health.

Every small step you take to improve efficiency — whether it’s leading a morning huddle, refining delegation protocols, or protecting your schedule — helps move your team toward a healthier, more sustainable way of practicing.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at AVMA 2025. We are deeply inspired by your commitment to creating meaningful change in our profession and excited to keep this important conversation going.

Stay Connected

Want to continue the discussion?

Reach out to us anytime:
marisa.brunetti@indevets.com 
samantha.cantor@indevets.com 

Looking for a quick reference? Download a PDF of our session recap here.