Professional online behaviour

RE: Professional online behaviour

Ben Ogden — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 16:00:30 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]growing through your thatch is a sure sign of wisdom [/quote]

Or in my case, memory loss!

Who did you say you were again?

[/quote]

I'm sure there is a quote about Moss doesn't grow on a moving stone or something like that....

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 20:05:09 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]growing through your thatch is a sure sign of wisdom [/quote]

Or in my case, memory loss!

Who did you say you were again?

RE: Professional online behaviour

Sal the 1st — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 19:28:42 GMT

growing through your thatch is a sure sign of wisdom

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 15:03:02 GMT

laughed out loud - well yes, something like that would do the job

RE: Professional online behaviour

Alison Clare Hickman — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 14:57:23 GMT

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:20:31 GMT

[quote user="Sam.23"]I think people need to be mindful of what they post and who sees it. With things like mutual friends on facebook and picture tagging, posts could be reaching more people than you think.[/quote]

You're telling me - I remember being a bit, er, surprised, the first time I saw a particularly unfortunate photo of me with my newly-acquired bald patch glinting menacingly at the camera, circulating on other people's facebook pages.

Toyed with the idea of taking up the Jewish faith (a yarmulke would have cured that problem).

RE: Professional online behaviour

Sam.23 — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:54:27 GMT

[quote user="melanie lavender"]

if i see anything like this from so called "friends" on my social media i always say something in person.

[/quote]

I'm the same, I would much rather chat about it in person than get tangled up in a social media tirade.

While I think social media is a great tool I think people need to be mindful of what they post and who sees it. With things like mutual friends on facebook and picture tagging, posts could be reaching more people than you think. That said I think we should show our clients the same respect online as we do in practice.

RE: Professional online behaviour

melanie lavender — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 16:48:39 GMT

Oh my word I remember reading that a while back! I had completely forgot about that. But yes that's basically what I do!

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:57:12 GMT

[quote user="melanie lavender"]i have how ever gone into all the costings of a day to day running of a veterinary practice with a few people just to make the point of how much it costs to keep a veterinary practice running just for one day let alone, a week, month or year![/quote]

That reminds me of this:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tripadvisor-manager-leaves-searing-response-to-rude-customer-who-left-bad-review-of-york-restaurant-a6811386.html

There should be a veterinary equivalent!

RE: Professional online behaviour

melanie lavender — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:05:38 GMT

if i see anything like this from so called "friends" on my social media i always say something in person.

unfortunately or fortunately, depending or how you want to see it, i have had these so called "friends" slating the profession and then a few weeks later i have had to save there animal from a nasty car accident or help them through a emotional PTS. That's when i hope they see the other side.

i have how ever gone into all the costings of a day to day running of a veterinary practice with a few people just to make the point of how much it costs to keep a veterinary practice running just for one day let alone, a week, month or year!

also people don't realise there are other things like servicing of machines and repair costs.

RE: Professional online behaviour

Charmaloo88 — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 16:49:36 GMT

Totally agree with what you're saying! On the odd occasion I have responded I've tried to remain as placid as possible (when in reality I'm close to throwing my phone out the window). I always try to look at things from all perspectives. Having anonymity would help I guess as it is such a small professional world we live in and all it takes is one comment to be mis-read and you've got a bad reputation.

Will keep my eyes peeled for the next article inviting people to vet-bash/VN-bash and I'll send it straight to you

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 16:05:26 GMT

[quote user="Charmaloo88"]On a related subject, as this has been playing on my mind for a while, how does a veterinary professional react when their peers are attacked on social media?[/quote]

Hi Charmaloo

Personally, I don't think that kind of stuff should go unchallenged, so yes, I would normally wade in with a response, if only to provide balance.

My rules of thumb (with the benefit of many years moderating etc) are:

1. Personal safety. You never know what fruitcake is reading what you've written, so I would be guarded about using my own persona online. In other words, I would not use my personal facebook account to wade into some hatred-filled discussion there. I'd be tempted to set up another one for that purpose. Other social media sites (like this one) may let you post anonymously more easily.

2. ALWAYS remember, whatever vitriol-filled post you are replying to, that you are not replying for the benefit of the person who posted it. You are replying for the benefit of all the other (mainly rational, kind and sensible people) who will come across what has been posted. You're doing it to give them some balance and make them realise that there is a counter opinion.

3. Above all else, be dispassionate, courteous, kind and professional. Even in the face of vitriol. Again, remember that you're doing it for the benefit of the majority of sensible readers who will quietly cheer you on!

If you are posting in reply to some falsehood about the veterinary profession, remember that you are in effect acting as an ambassador for the profession. Don't be drawn into arguments. Just state the case politely, and ideally with a bit of humour (humour can be a devastatingly effective tool against trolls).

That would be my advice.

But how about we give this a go. Next time you see something rubbishing the veterinary profession, send me a link and I'll show you how I'd do it!

Could be fun

RE: Professional online behaviour

Charmaloo88 — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 15:02:53 GMT

On a related subject, as this has been playing on my mind for a while, how does a veterinary professional react when their peers are attacked on social media? I tend to keep my mouth shut as feel a lot of people are acting as trolls and can attack behind the safety of a computer screen but would never say such things to a persons face.

Example being last week there was a Facebook post about vets bills and a string of comments from pet owners calling us every name under the sun and that we are only in it for the money (which, lets face it, we've all heard before).
I'd spotted a few replies where people tried to defend the veterinary profession but were shot down with even nastier comments, some suggesting we should starve for a few days a week if it meant we could improve an animals life. A comment I actually just laughed off but easily see it winding up others!

Is it best to just keep schtum?

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:05:42 GMT

[quote user="melanie lavender"]What staff need to think is, how would they feel if they knew/found out if they were called "dickhead" at say the doctors behind their back?[/quote]

Yeah, and not a bad rule of thumb for life in general (do unto others as you would have them do unto you - not that I would want anyone to think I've become a preacher!)

[quote user="melanie lavender"]I was once told to treat client/customers the way I would want to be treated.[/quote]

Yes, and if you want the practice to really thrive, better than you would want to be treated!

[quote user="melanie lavender"]Again I agree but we as a profession should be watching, reading and flagging up stuff like this.[/quote]

Really strongly agree with you. There is so much complete and utter bulls41t posted online by people who really don't know what they are talking about (or have a hidden agenda). I think it would be a really positive thing if there was a more coordinated effort made by members of the profession to correct false stuff posted online.

RE: Professional online behaviour

Sal the 1st — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 22:45:26 GMT

[quote user="melanie lavender"]

Again I agree but we as a profession should be watching, reading and flagging up stuff like this.

What staff need to think is, how would they feel if they knew/found out if they were called "dickhead" at say the doctors behind their back?

I was once told to treat client/customers the way I would want to be treated.

[/quote]

I think part of the problem is that some do not understand fully what professionalism is and what it entails - to some its no more than a word and to others its taken seriously. I would rather people sort any issues out within their practices than resorting to commenting on them using social media but then there are those that seem to share every minute detail of their lives on facebook - the good, the bad and the downright ugly (and its embarrassing to read some of it). I suppose its just the way they are wired.

I don't think people show the same loyalty/respect to an employer and the people they work with that they once had ( best to not get me started on that one) and many don't realise that ultimately any damage they cause to the practice will reflect in their earnings - and then there are those that really don't give two hoots who it damages or what people think because they have no intention of staying in the job anyway.

I feel very sad when I see what vet nursing is turning into

RE: Professional online behaviour

melanie lavender — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 18:57:48 GMT

Again I agree but we as a profession should be watching, reading and flagging up stuff like this.

What staff need to think is, how would they feel if they knew/found out if they were called "dickhead" at say the doctors behind their back?

I was once told to treat client/customers the way I would want to be treated.

RE: Professional online behaviour

Arlo Guthrie — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 18:02:24 GMT

Hi Melanie,

Not sure I'd go so far as to say all social media is dangerous per se. I'm hugely proud of the way that VetNurse.co.uk and VetSurgeon.org have brought so many people together over the years to share and solve problems together, and share knowledge. But certainly it needs to be used with care, particularly by professionals and anyone aspiring to join a profession. That photo of you (not you personally, of course!) at some party, half-naked and half-cut might have seemed funny at the time, but it ain't necessarily going to help your career prospects.

As regards the veterinary nursing profession, it's still very young (in terms of being recognised as a profession). A lot of people have fought hard to get it recognised. Posting this kind of stuff is really quite damaging in terms of how this new profession is viewed by others. Worse than that, we all know how much rubbish about vets fees is posted online by owners. The very last thing nurses should be doing is stuff that reinforces this kind of thing. The reality, I think, is that most vets UNDER charge for the service they give.

Sure, there is bound to be the odd bad apple, but nurses need to be ambassadors for their profession when online. Not laughing about 'dickhead' owners being overcharged.

RE: Professional online behaviour

melanie lavender — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 14:27:45 GMT

Totally agree.
When you qualify you are told that all details and information is and should be kept confidential.
That means clients and employer and employment details etc.
Other professions like human medicine or the banking world have similar rules and regulations and if these are broken hard penalties are put in place and in some circumstances professionals are struck off or sacked.
Any social media is dangerous.
If any staff/professional member has an issue, then they should do the professional thing and bring what ever the issue up with the correct person/department.