VetGirl: The Next Big Thing in Veterinary CE
What is VetGirl? VetGirl is a new “techy” way for veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary technicians to obtain high-quality continuing education (CE). Specifically, we are a subscription-based service offering RACE-approved CE via a unique and convenient format: podcasts.
VetGirl is the brainchild of Dr. Justine Lee. Ten years ago, as she was studying for her emergency critical care boards, she craved learning by osmosis (e.g., sleeping on a book). She wanted to pound the pavement and go for a run, but felt guilty for not studying! Dr. Lee was craving someone teaching her while she listened to her Walkman (this was pre-iPhone days). Ten years later, when studying for her toxicology boards, her frustration resurfaced.
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Dr. Garret Pachtinger had the same frustration when studying for his emergency critical care boards. Why, oh, why, isn’t there a better way to learn “on the go?”
Like many, we found ourselves tethered to the library while trying to stay up to date in all things veterinary medicine related… with our faces stuck in a pile of journals. We felt guilty for exercising or taking a break, when we knew we were supposed to be learning. Maybe you feel the same guilt when you close a textbook or put down that stack of journals to go walk to the dog?
That’s when we decided to create VetGirl, a subscription-based service that offers RACE and NYSED-approved veterinary continuing education. It provides CE in a tech-savvy way, where people can literally learn “on the run” while they are commuting or exercising.
Time Poverty Veterinarians have what we call “time poverty.” We are so busy in the clinics that we often don’t have time to get through that ever-growing stack of veterinary journals on our desk. Who has time to read them or stay up-to-date when you have medical records to complete?
The goal of VetGirl is to provide clinically relevant vignettes within a 3-5 minute podcast. With over 50 podcasts offered a year, you’re able to stay up to date on the most current veterinary literature and get “take home” points of what you really need to know.
That way, you can learn while you’re commuting to work, pounding it out on the treadmill, or taking a walk with your dog.
Listen and learn at the same time.
Looking for more CE resources? Check out VMD Tech’s Survival Guide to Veterinary Trade Magazines »
What is a Podcast? Podcast is a portmanteau borne as the love child of “pod” and “broadcast”. The word “pod” comes from the widespread use of the iPod in the early 2000’s. In simple terms, a podcast is nothing more than an audio recording that you can listen to online or on a mobile device.
What makes it special is that it can be accessed and listened to at any time. Or in VetGirl terms: on your time.
Subscription Plans VetGirl offers 2 membership opportunities:
VetGirl Standard: This one-year subscription plan offers over 50 RACE-approved podcasts/year (totaling 4 hours of RACE-CE/year). All you need is Internet access and a smartphone to access these podcasts. $99/year.
VetGirl ELITE: This one-year subscription plan offers the podcasts plus an additional 12 hours of RACE-approved webinars/year (totaling 16 hours of RACE-CE/year). All you need is Internet access and a smartphone to access the podcasts, and a computer to watch the webinars whenever you have time. The webinars are presented live, but in the spirit of learning on YOUR time, they are also recorded and available for CE credit on-demand for VetGirl ELITE members. $199/year.
“What’s the Name, VetGirl, All About?” Many have asked about the name, VetGirl. No, VetGirl isn’t just for females. VetGirl was modeled after Grammar Girl, a very popular grammar blog and podcast service. Grammar Girl, CEO Mom, Career Girl… it’s quite a common popular culture online. We recognize that our profession is moving almost completely toward a female dominant field.
VetGirl is focused toward anyone who has a smartphone and is a “techy”. VetGirl’s CE learning experience is really for anyone who has a smartphone, computer, or tablet… any device where you can learn on the go.
Where Can I learn More?
Sign up here for a trial membership or check out our complimentary, upcoming RACE-approved webinar on August 26, 2013. You can register for the free webinar here. We also offer a 30% discount to interns and residents (here) and it is FREE for veterinary students (here).
For more information about VetGirl, check out our website vetgirlontherun.com or contact Garret at garret@vetgirlontherun.com or Justine at justine@vetgirlontherun.com.
About the Authors
Dr. Justine Lee is the CEO and founder of VetGirl, a subscription-based podcast service providing veterinary continuing education (CE). Dr. Lee graduated veterinary school from Cornell, and completed her internship at Angell. Dr. Lee also completed an emergency fellowship and residency at University of Pennsylvania, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care (DACVECC). She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT). Dr. Lee has been published in numerous veterinary journals, including JAVMA, JVIM, JAAHA, and JVECC. She is one of the editors and authors of The Five Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology textbook (Wiley, 2010) and the Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal: Emergency Medicine textbook (Elsevier, 2013). Dr. Lee is the author of two humorous pet reference books entitled It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet and It’s a Cat’s World… You Just Live In It . Dr. Lee lectures throughout the world on emergency, critical care, and toxicology, and recently was honored with “Speaker of the Year” at the North American Veterinary Conference (2011) and the Association des Médecines Vétérinaires du Québec (2012).
Dr. Garret Pachtinger is a board certified emergency and critical care specialist focused on clinically relevant continuing education in veterinary medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, he completed a one year internship in small animal medicine and surgery, a one year fellowship in emergency and critical care, and a three year residency in emergency and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2010. After completion of his residency, Dr. Pachtinger joined the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency center in Levittown, Pa. He is the Chief Operating Officer of VetGirl, LLC, is actively involved in the ACVECC, and is a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) for the emergency medicine and internal medicine groups. He is an international lecturer on emergency and critical care cutting edge medicine and has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters.
