The Problem With KPIs and Rushed Vet Care
In many clinics, vets are pushed to meet quotas and strict time slots. This can turn consults into a race—less time for each animal, less time to listen and observe, and more pressure to upsell. For pets, especially those who are anxious or unwell, this means more stress and less meaningful care. For vets, it means constantly chasing targets on a never-ending business ladder, with little time to actually enjoy the work.
PMV’s Approach: Calm, Unhurried, Patient-Centred
At Personalised Mobile Vet, I’ve thrown out the stopwatch and the quota sheet. There’s no pressure to hit targets or rush through appointments. Instead, I take the time to let pets settle in their own environment, at their own pace. This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about getting the full clinical picture.
The Clinical Advantage: Relaxed Pets, Better Answers
When pets feel safe and unhurried, they show more of who they really are. They’re more likely to allow a thorough physical exam, and subtle clinical signs—like changes in breathing, posture, or behaviour—become easier to spot. Pets tell you more when they’re relaxed. This makes it possible to catch issues that might otherwise be missed in a rushed, high-pressure setting. It’s like being a detective: the more clues you can gather, the better the outcome for the patient.
The Ethical Issue: When KPIs Cloud Medical Judgment
When a vet’s income or job security depends on hitting sales targets or pushing certain treatments, medical recommendations stop being purely clinical—they become financial. The problem is that expensive diagnostics or treatments can almost always be justified medically. You can construct a legitimate-sounding clinical reason for recommending them on any pet. But justifying something medically and actually benefiting the animal are two different things. The real question isn’t “can I defend this recommendation?” It’s “will this substantially benefit the patient?” When KPIs are in the mix, that distinction gets blurry. At PMV, there’s no financial incentive to recommend anything other than what’s actually best for the pet. That clarity matters.
What’s in It for Me: Job Satisfaction and Peace of Mind
I left traditional clinic work specifically to escape the KPI treadmill. Rejecting that model gives me something no bonus or growth target ever could: the ability to sleep at night knowing I’ve done what’s genuinely best for each animal, not what’s best for a financial spreadsheet. There’s real job satisfaction in that. I’m not chasing an endless business ladder or trying to hit arbitrary numbers. Instead, I get to practice medicine the way I believe it should be practiced—with time, care, and integrity. That matters more to me than climbing a corporate hierarchy.
Why This Matters: Raising the Bar for Vet Care
By rejecting time limits and KPIs, PMV aims to set a higher standard—one where pets are genuinely understood, owners feel heard and respected, and the vet doing the work actually enjoys it. It’s not about seeing more patients; it’s about seeing each patient properly.
Conclusion
Taking time isn’t just a nice extra—it’s essential for better clinical results and genuine job satisfaction. At PMV, pets can relax, show their true selves, and get the care they actually need. And I get to do work that feels meaningful, not exhausting. That’s a win for everyone involved.
