The veterinary profession in New Zealand

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At the beginning of this new decade, the veterinary profession in New Zealand faces a future of boundless opportunity. After a rapid and difficult growth period of twenty years, the profession is now well established as an entity, and if we, its members, show wisdom and vision, we can ensure that veterinary science will take its rightful place in the progress of New Zealand. If we fail, the profession will find itself playing a minor role in the future. We dare not allow ourselves to just drift into the years ahead.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.     

Letters to the editor

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Sir,—I desire to submit my opinions on the adoption of the courtesy title of “Doctor” by the veterinary profession in New Zealand. In doing so, I am taking a long-term view concerned with the ultimate benefit for veterinary science in New Zealand. Veterinary surgeons form today, more than ever they did in the past, an internationally interchangeable body of scientists; therefore, the veterinary profession in New Zealand should follow the great majority of world countries in the usage of the courtesy title of Doctor.     

Conference opening address

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It seems to me that a most interesting stage has been reached in the development of veterinary medicine in New Zealand. Over the last few years, many interesting changes have taken place and it is possible to discern further changes that should be made, changes which will lead on to complete the formation of veterinary services in this country.     

Practice management: Is necessity the mother of contention?

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During much of this century veterinary undergraduates were led to believe that because the practice of veterinary science is a profession, after graduation they should never treat clinical practice as a business. This notion was reinforced by their peers, especially. those outside clinical practice, and still exists today. With the dependence of rural practice on the supply and sale of remedies for viability, few practices have ever been run on purely professional lines in New Zealand; but until very recently a minimal level of business ability was adequate to maintain practice viability.     

Veterinary development

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The honour of being President gives one the opportunity of repaying the Association and the profession for the right to practise veterinary science in an environment which they have helped to create. It also gives the President the opportunity of a close association with other groups of people who are directly associated with our profession for it has been said that no man is an island and this is exceptionally so as far as the veterinary profession is concerned. While we are individuals, some more so than others, it is only as a cohesive organization that we can survive and progress. It is sometimes forgotten that the President and Council of the Association are elected by veterinarians, to make decisions on behalf of the veterinary profession. It is sometimes forgotten that the President and Council of the New Zealand Veterinary Association are veterinarians who are affected by decisions made, just as much as any colleague. To make a decision is to invite criticism; time will prove many decisions to be wrong, but there is a great satisfaction when a decision made proves to be the right one. I believe that a correct decision made is progress and this is the subject that I choose to discuss with you. I could talk about the past but that was yesterday and it is argued that there is no guidance in the past, for the problems of the future. I could talk about the future, but the future is tomorrow, so I will confine myself to the present and the problems associated with making progress in our present environment. I have said that the Veterinary Association is not an island, that its future, present and past are intricately tied to the farming endeavour of New Zealand as are many other organizations. I have had the, pleasure over the last 18 months of sitting on a ministerial committee called “The Committee of Veterinary Development”. As many will know, this committee was established at the request of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. Of major concern to us was the representations on this committee, for it consisted of administrative officers of the Department of Agriculture, Federated Farmers, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, and an independent chairman.     

The future requirements and availability of veterinary manpower for New Zealand

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The 1965 Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Veterinary Association endorsed a proposal to examine the future requirement for veterinary manpower in New Zealand. Support was subsequently forthcoming from members of the Association and from organizations interested in veterinary activities in providing data on which estimates could be based. Information was obtained on changes in the numbers of veterinary surgeons and in their employment in the past 15 years and on the estimated requirement for veterinary surgeons at the end of the forthcoming 15 years. A period of 15 years was regarded as one for which records are likely to be reliable and for which projections could be expected to have reasonable accuracy. The examination of data collected in this way forms the first part of this report.     

Veterinary practice,competition and advertising: 1985–1994

In 1985, members of the veterinary profession and four other professional groups in New Zealand were surveyed to establish their attitudes towards the developing commercialisation of their professions, and particularly towards advertising. This survey was repeated in 1988, and again in 1994. The results of the three surveys are presented in this paper.

There was a sharp movement towards acceptance of advertising, and toward a competitive orientation in general, between 1985 and 1988, with a consolidation of these changes during the following 6 years. The acceptance of the idea of an openly competitive profession now has widespread support among veterinarians. Similarly, there is general support for the use of most kinds of “informative” advertising, with many practitioners viewing advertising as a business building tool, but with the advertising of fees remaining an area over which there is still considerable caution. Although clients are seen as more demanding than in the past, the client-practitioner relationship is still expected to be an enduring one. We suggest that, in view of the relaxed attitudes towards advertising that now exists among members of the veterinary profession, control of advertising should cease to be a concern to the profession.     

John McCoubrie (Jack) Stewart OBE,BVSc, MRCVS,Dip Ag,FACVSc

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It is with a sense of sadness but also of pride that we write this tribute to Jack Stewart. Sadness because he was not only a personal friend but also a friend to the whole of his profession; pride because we were privileged to work closely with this man who contributed so much to the welfare of veterinarians in New Zealand. Jack died on Christmas Day after an illness which finally saw him withdraw from his favourite activities: veterinary science, thoroughbred breeding and providing advice to colleagues, clients and friends.     

Veterinary practice, competition and advertising: 1985-1994

In 1985, members of the veterinary profession and four other professional groups in New Zealand were surveyed to establish their attitudes towards the developing commercialisation of their professions, and particularly towards advertising. This survey was repeated in 1988, and again in 1994. The results of the three surveys are presented in this paper. There was a sharp movement towards acceptance of advertising, and toward a competitive orientation in general, between 1985 and 1988, with a consolidation of these changes during the following 6 years. The acceptance of the idea of an openly competitive profession now has widespread support among veterinarians. Similarly, there is general support for the use of most kinds of informative advertising, with many practitioners viewing advertising as a business building tool, but with the advertising of fees remaining an area over which there is still considerable caution. Although clients are seen as more demanding than in the past, the client-practitioner relationship is still expected to be an enduring one. We suggest that, in view of the relaxed attitudes towards advertising that now exists among members of the veterinary profession, control of advertising should cease to be a concern to the profession.     

Animals under the immediate care of a veterinarian

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The sale of animal remedies is important in the maintenance of a stable veterinary service in New Zealand. However, such sales must never be allowed to cause the undermining of public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the veterinary profession.     

History of the Australian college of veterinary scientists

The Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (ACVSc) has been promoting the advancement of the veterinary profession for 40 years through the provision of continuing education of Australian and New Zealand veterinarians. Formed in 1971 through the Australian Veterinary Association, after many years of debate over its role and necessity, the ACVSc became an independent entity in 1985. It currently provides examination-based qualifications of Membership and Fellowship of the College in 37 disciplines and has over 100 applicants every year. Highly valued as a mark of superior achievement in a veterinary field in Australia and New Zealand, the ACVSc is now working to have its Fellowship and Membership qualifications recognised in Europe and North America, thereby increasing the standing of Australian veterinarians around the world.     

Ear cropping procedures

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Madam;ndash; I wish to reply to members of the veterinary profession in New Zealand my concern over the practice of anonymous veterinary clinicians directing their clients to seek Association"permission" for the performance of ear cropping procedures.     

SciQuest and the complete archive of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal launched online on 1 January 2003

The complete archive of the New Zealand Veterinary Journal went online on 1 January 2003 on SciQuest (www.sciquest.org.nz), an innovative new e-publishing website developed by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA). This follows hot on the heels of the CD-Rom version released from the same platform in June last year. Subscribers in 2003 will be able to search and retrieve, online, the full text of any article published in the journal since its inception in 1952. To date, few veterinary science journals are able to offer such a complete and comprehensive resource.     

The veterinary profession today

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It is my privilege today, as your president, to make some comment on the veterinary scene in New Zealand. It is of course a pleasure, and an honour, to be speaking in our Veterinary School which is host to the profession for this conference, the first to be held here since its own graduates have taken their place in our honoured profession.     

The Association,rabbit control and myxomatosis

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Animal welfare is one of the goals if not the main goal of the veterinary profession. Thus the control of rabbits in New Zealand by the purposeful introduction of myxomatosis, a disease that produces severe lesions that last for eight days or longer in affected rabbits, must be considered by the profession from an animal welfare point of view. Before we can agree with the use of myxomatosis, we need to be sure that the rabbit problem is sufficiently severe and intractable to warrant such an introduction, and that the use of myxomatosis will effectively and continually control the population, bearing in mind that once introduced it will spread throughout the country and will always be present in some degree.     

The future of rural veterinary practice

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It is my privilege, as President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, to pass comment on the field of veterinary endeavour today at this, the 48th Annual Conference. I do not feel competent to draw conclusions from past trends, or to make wise comments on decisions that have been made which directly affect or impinge on our profession. What I would like to attempt to do is to evaluate the future of rural veterinary practice in this country as we see it today.     

Food animal veterinary medicine: leading a changing profession

The veterinary profession has gone through periods of profound change in response to economic and social changes. We are currently in another such period: profound change is required in order for the profession to remain relevant in a marketplace where a rapidly expanding knowledge base and new technologies demand an ever-increasing level of expertise in a greater variety of areas. However, the veterinary profession is perceived both internally and by the public as possessing a narrow set of skills that supports a narrow group of careers focused on salvaging ill or injured companion animals. It will be necessary to dramatically change the way veterinary students are recruited and trained, as well as how graduate veterinarians are licensed and provided continuing education, in order for the veterinary profession to capitalize on our historical strengths and provide service and leadership in a greater diversity of career paths. Even though the number of veterinarians needed to provide primary care for livestock is decreasing, both the level of expertise demanded by livestock owners and the value of veterinary involvement on livestock farms are increasing. Colleges of veterinary medicine appear challenged to meet the changing needs for veterinary services in animal agriculture because of the declining percentage of veterinary students interested in food animal careers. Fortunately for animal agriculture, the skill set needed by food animal veterinarians is also needed by several emerging segments of the veterinary profession that have tremendous potential for rapid growth, including employment in all segments of food production systems, environmental monitoring and management, bio-security and disease eradication, laboratory diagnostics, and federal regulatory and bio-defense roles. Like previous periods of profound change, this moment in history will require creative thought, open discussion, and a willingness to step into the unknown.     

Mr. H. S. S. Kyle

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It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Kyle, of Christchruch, who was a widely known and respected member of pur profession. He was born in Melbourne in 1873 and spent the early part of his life in the Riverina district of new South Wales. He graduated as a veterinary surgeon in Melbourne in 1895 and practised in Ballarat until 1901, when he came to New Zealand. He was in government service until 11918 and, after one year in the army, commenced private practice in Christchurch in 1919. He gave up practice on his election to Parliament but resumed on his retirement from office, Mr. Kyle first entered the field of public affairs in local body service and became Mayor of the Borough of Riccarton in 1925, a post which, except for the years 1927 to 1929, he claimed as a record for New Zealand, being 28 years.