Episode DescriptionIn this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, host Dr. Dave Nicol is joined by Dr. Matt Spiegle. Dr. Matt acknowledges that balancing the demands of starting and running a veterinary practice with family life is a significant challenge for many veterinary professionals. He emphasizes his commitment to not allowing his professional ambitions to encroach upon his family time. He acknowledges that some sacrifice is inevitable but firmly believes it should not come at the expense of family. Dr. Spiegle suggests that leveraging technology is key to achieving a work-life balance in veterinary medicine.The Importance of Balancing Family Life with Veterinary Practice DemandsFamily Prioritization: Dr. Spiegle underscores the importance of family, refusing to compromise on "family stuff" and striving to ensure his professional endeavors do not diminish his time with loved ones.Mental Health and Well-being: The conversation addresses compassion fatigue, burnout, and emotional well-being. Balancing work with family life is crucial for mental health and preventing burnout, which is prevalent in the veterinary field.Legacy and Mentorship: Dr. Spiegle reflects on his father's legacy as a veterinarian and the value of mentorship. He aspires to involve his son in the profession and mentor future generations, suggesting that a work-family balance can have a positive, enduring influence on the field.How Technology Can Assist in Achieving BalanceEfficiency and Time Management: Technology can streamline practice operations, such as scheduling, client communication, and record-keeping, potentially saving time and reducing extended work hours.Telemedicine: Dr. Spiegle's role as a medical director for a telemedicine company indicates his understanding of how technology can facilitate remote veterinary care, offering more flexible work arrangements and possibly lessening clinic hours.Social Media and Community Engagement: Dr. Spiegle's wife contributes to social media and community outreach for their practice, East End Vets. Social media can effectively engage clients and foster a community around the practice without constant physical presence.Access to Resources and Support: Technology grants access to a network of mentors, colleagues, and industry experts for advice and support, invaluable for navigating the challenges of practice ownership while maintaining family life.In summary, Dr. Matt Spiegle underscores the critical nature of not allowing the demands of veterinary practice to overshadow family commitments. Technology is presented as a facilitator that can help veterinary professionals manage their time more effectively, provide flexible work options, and maintain industry connections, all contributing to a healthier work-life balance.Episode Outline[00:01:50-00:02:01] Practice Ownership Renaissance.[00:05:34-00:05:44] Mentorship in veterinary medicine.[00:08:10] Compassion fatigue in veterinarians.[00:12:29-00:12:39] Career Transition Challenges.[00:16:38-00:16:48] Rewarding connections.[00:18:11-00:18:22] Mentorship in Veterinary Practice.[00:22:43-00:22:53] Corporate impact on veterinary medicine.[00:24:23-00:24:34] Practice ownership discussion.Episode LinksConnect with Dr. Matt Spiegle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewspiegle/ Read Dr. Matt Spielg’s articles: https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/authors/drmattspiegle Mentioned in...