PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Summer 2021 - 8

Team Talk
By Megan Baylor, CVT
Director of Education
& Events
In March 2020, Governor Wolf issued
a waiver to lift the requirement of
the " traditional " learning criteria for
licensed veterinarians in the state of
Pennsylvania, and then in December of
the same year, the waiver was extended
until the end of the next renewal year
(November 30, 2022). This means
the PA Veterinary State Board will be
accepting 100% online education for
the full 24-month renewal period for
veterinarians. Veterinary technicians
have never had any restraint to how
they receive education. What does this
mean for PVMA Education this year?
Next year? What will this mean for the
Keystone Veterinary Conference?
More change is coming. In fact, it is
already in motion. During the March
PA Veterinary State Board meeting,
there was discussion about extending
the temporary change, allowing online
continuing education to be a permanent
change. The conversation continued
at the May PA Veterinary State Board
meeting and with review of newly
proposed regulations, there seems to
PROS
VIRTUAL EDUCATION:
CONS
No travel equates to increased
efficiency from a financial and
time perspective
Access to great educational
lectures
You don't have to choose
between simultaneous
lectures with on-demand
options
More involvement from the
veterinary community
Reduced carbon footprint
8 | Keystone Veterinarian
Missing the experiences and
senses of the event
Interactions are more difficult in
the virtual space (with speakers,
colleagues, other attendees)
Rely on typing more than
talking
Requires a certain level of
technical skill for attendees
Some technical problems are
beyond your control
PROS
be no hesitation from the board on this
passing. Change is important; it shows
progress and movement forward.
PVMA education will continue to change
and grow as state regulations change.
With the development of an On-demand
Education Center added last year and
hosting our first virtual conference, a lot
of learning was done in unconventional
ways. As a professional, you learned
that you didn't have to leave your house
to get amazing training. You didn't
need to spend extra time or money for
travel. Many of you were able to enjoy
time with your family while fulfilling
your oath of advancing your medical
knowledge and being a lifelong learner.
But something was missing. Chatting
with colleagues via your keyboard is
not the same as seeing them in real
life. Watching a video of a new product
at an exhibitor booth is not the same
as holding the product in your hands.
There are some amazing pros and some
" I am willing to deal with " cons to each
side of this coin.
What I am finding to be incredibly valuable
about getting to explore new ways of
delivering education to you, is that you
get more choices on what type and topic
of education is most important to you as
a working professional.The PA Veterinary
State Board has been very clear about not
approving continuing education credits
from personal or professional development
lectures toward license renewal
requirements. But, now as a professional,
you don't have to choose between those
valuable lectures and workshops and
scientific lectures. You can come to the live
event and join a speaker who will help you
develop a better work-life balance, refine
your soft skills, or learn how to manage
new staff.
What do I mean? PVMA is making all
the recorded scientific lectures available
to attendees after the event, so you can
watch them when it is convenient for you.
This means that you don't have to miss an
" Improve Your Leadership Skills " workshop
because you have to get CE credits toward
your license. Your education is in your
control. You can become a better veterinary
professional on all fronts. You're no longer
bound by the time and money decisions
that dictate what education you have to
have. You can take the reigns and focus on
what education you need now.
PVMA is in the final stages of preparing
the schedule for both the virtual and the
in-person KVC. We are fully focused on the
veterinary professional and what you have
endured over the last 24 months. PVMA
education is once again rising to meet the
needs of our Members and the veterinary
profession.
PVMA is always looking for members to help
drive the education we offer. Please consider
joining the Scientific Education Committee,
or sharing your ideas on the surveys you get
from PVMA. To join the committee, visit bit.ly/
JoinPVMACommittee and complete the form.
IN-PERSON EDUCATION:
CONS
Interact with colleagues,
speakers, and exhibitors
Traveling leads to exploring
new foods and adventures
Let's be honest, you probably
are able to focus better on the
lectures live
Networking and
communication is just easier
More expense in time and
money
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) if
you can't attend
You can only attend one live
session at a time
In-person conferences can be
stressful for some folks
http://bit.ly/JoinPVMACommittee
PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Summer 2021

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