Surveys suggest a lack of support for midlevel practitioners in the veterinary industry

Surveys conducted separately by Veterinary Management Groups (VMG), a membership organization made up of practice owners seeking to improve the business aspects of their practice, and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) support better utilization of credentialed technicians (CrVTs) as the solution to workforce issues. The 2023 survey conducted by the AAVSB found most veterinarians and technicians support better utilization of CrVTs as a solution to alleviate shortages in the veterinary workforce instead of creating a new midlevel practitioner (MLP), and the survey conducted by the VMG which asked members about the creation of a MLP found that respondents were “overwhelmingly” opposed to the idea. They said they feared nonveterinarians performing surgeries due to risks and potential complications, a decline in care quality resulting in improper diagnosis or malpractice, devaluing the veterinary degree, diluting revenue streams, and perception that MLPs are driven by interests in lower labor costs instead of actual need.

Read more here