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Debates among companion animal veterinarians, veterinary economists, and industry observers about the economic challenges facing veterinary medicine have become increasingly heated, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated disruptions to familiar patterns of veterinary practice and business. Multiple perspectives on root causes and solutions are appearing in veterinary and mass outlets. Three contested areas in particular are: 1) demand and the growing numbers of pets, 2) supply and concerns about the numbers of small animal veterinarians, and 3) solutions and various proposals to “fix” the labor shortage in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, these debates have begun involving more rhetoric and less data and economics. To truly understand what is happening in the veterinary profession, we need to separate the rhetoric from the data, and focus on what we know is true. This presentation analyses the rhetoric and the data used in the current debates about these three hot topics in veterinary medicine. Some are valid concerns, and some are more a matter of rhetorical amplification than data-driven consideration.
Matthew Salois, PhD is currently the President of the Veterinary Management Groups (VMG), where he is responsible for enhancing the economic and cultural success of more than 2,000 veterinary member practices. Most recently, Matt was the chief economist and head of the veterinary economics division at the AVMA between 2018 and 2022, where he applied his skills in economics, business, and communication to support the daily lives of veterinarians. From 2014 to 2018, he served as senior director of global scientific affairs and policy at Elanco Animal Health. Matt is also an adjunct professor of applied economics at the University of Florida, where he previously taught and advised graduate and undergraduate students. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Florida and holds an M.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida.