Sarah is Head of Partnerships and Events for BSAVA and with over 30 years’ experience in event management, is well placed to continue the legacy of world-renowned CPD that BSAVA Congress is known for, and drive innovation with new ways of delivering aspirational content and critical learnings to veterinary teams.
Veterinary Woman took the opportunity to ask her about this year’s event, from clinical content to the interactive Wellbeing Zone and “Day in the Life of… Dramas” sessions.
Sarah, thank you for taking the time to speak with Veterinary Woman. This year’s BSAVA Congress looks set to build on the new format introduced in 2022. Please could you summarise what delegates can look forward to this year?
We have a fantastic Congress planned for 2023. We’re bringing together all aspects of the veterinary community, with a world-class scientific programme, focusing on the needs of frontline veterinary staff and the issues that face practitioners today. Delegates can get hands-on with free practical drop-in sessions, hear multiple points of view in a discussion or quickly immerse themselves in the detail with the short format lectures.
Alongside the clinical content, there will be leadership sessions delving into time management, optimising productivity, problem solving and conflict management. These sessions will sit alongside the Wellbeing Zone, where you’ll find techniques and approaches that can help deepen resilience and give you the information you need to know when, and how to get further support.
Delegates can also visit the exhibition hall where many industry leaders will come together to showcase the latest veterinary equipment, services, and supplies. There really is something for everyone this year!
How is BSAVA Congress forging a different style from the traditional congress, and how does this respond to changes within the profession?
We’ve ensured that the content is pragmatic and accessible while also giving essential insights into the advances in optimal veterinary care. We are keeping our panel discussions which were hugely popular last year, and these will be intertwined with our short format lectures.
The programme aims to provide delegates with the skills and information, both in clinical and non-clinical areas to help drive improvement and change at practice level through inspirational teaching. We believe that reflection and interaction are key to achieving these goals and we have created our programme around accessible modules with modern learning techniques and providing time for engagement through discussion, debate, and interactive panel discussions. The speakers we have chosen were selected not only for their expertise but, more importantly, for their passion and energetic teaching styles.
“Our Keynote speaker, Samantha Hiew, will introduce Neurodiversity in the context of society, casting light on ADHD and autism, and how this impacts the workplace and one’s quality of life.”
One of this year’s innovations is a new module on neurodiversity. Please could you tell us more about how you are increasing understanding about this topic?
The idea of the neurodiversity module is to provide an opportunity to explore both the challenges and the opportunities that are experienced every day by the many neurodiverse members of the veterinary world, and how we as employers and teammates can better understand, support and benefit from the talents our neurodiverse colleagues bring.
Our Keynote speaker, Samantha Hiew, will introduce Neurodiversity in the context of society, casting light on ADHD and autism, and how this impacts the workplace and one’s quality of life. The session will wrap up with what promises to be an inspiring discussion on how to cultivate great inclusivity and understanding around those who are neurodivergent within the veterinary profession.
The event will feature 22 CPD modules with an impressive line-up of speakers. What variety of topics will be on offer?
Delegates can look forward to modules on clinical topics such as challenges in the diabetic cat, the collapsing dog, geriatric care in veterinary patients, as well as non-clinical topics such as leadership and time management. Each of the modules is split into different learning styles, in the form of lectures, interactive sessions, discussions as well as our ‘Day in the Life of’ module, which investigates how to deal with real-life everyday events to support yourself as well as the team.
The topic of wellbeing is of critical importance to the veterinary profession, and something we all have a stake in. What can we look forward to within your Wellbeing Zone?
We’re excited to have created a bigger and better wellbeing programme for 2023. The programme will help to develop the understanding of ourselves and those around us better, in order to help create workplace cultures that work for everyone: reducing workplace stress and improving physical and mental health and wellbeing.
This year we are collaborating with BVCIS, BVEDS, BVLGBT+, Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), Vetlife, BVA, and other experts working in this space to be able to create the best wellbeing programme possible. Several of these sessions will be immersive and interactive, allowing participants to get involved in the discussion and practice skills, helping to lead to transformative experiences.
“For years veterinary professionals have said ‘yes’. ‘Yes’ to more clients, more patients and working overtime, which is now taking its toll.”
Non-clinical sessions include time management and leadership. What are the highlights you are particularly anticipating within these topics?
For years veterinary professionals have said ‘yes’. ‘Yes’ to more clients, more patients and working overtime, which is now taking its toll. Experienced practitioners and recent graduates are leaving the profession, and many more are suffering mental and physical health issues associated with sustained high stress.
We will have international experts who will be exploring how time management at organisational, systems, teams and at individual levels can lead to drastic improvements in performance, job satisfaction and wellbeing.
We were especially intrigued to learn about the “Day-in-the-life-of” Dramas sessions. Please could you tell us more?
Our “Day-in-the-life-of” dramas are back this year with a new twist and with some significant differences from last year. Our half-day scenarios are linked to lecture content, and in an industry first, you can watch an internal medicine specialist investigate an unknown condition from start to finish in our two “case work-up scenarios”.
True to life, the medicine specialist will not know the diagnosis at the beginning of the session and will have to work with the owner, live on stage, to investigate a challenging case. In addition, there will be further ‘dramas’ on End-of-Life Care and Obesity.
The End-of-Life care session will look into the importance of education on this for the whole team, and how euthanasia impacts the owner. The Obesity session will investigate how communication is essential to obesity care, and the impact of obesity as a disease on welfare.
An increasingly important aspect of congresses is the chance for delegates to connect in person. What opportunities are there for networking, meeting suppliers and enjoying a bit of well-earned social time?
We will have our exhibition in the Central Hall where delegates will be able to meet with industry representatives. They will be able to find out more about the latest products and services that are showcased by our exhibitors. All visitors to the exhibition will be able to attend the drop-in sessions in the practical village as well.
There are also plenty of opportunities to meet and network with old or new colleagues, or delegates can arrange to chat to an industry representative in the meeting area of the exhibition hall.
There’s time to relax after day one of lectures in the complimentary drinks reception which is held in the exhibition hall. Our famous ClubVet party night will be taking place on the Friday night at Revolution Deansgate!
Finally, what are your top tips for how practice teams can get the most from visiting Congress?
Definitely plan which sessions you will be attending before coming to Congress. There’s so much on offer, but don’t forget that all sessions will be available to access online after the event has finished!
Focus on one key takeaway from each session that you attend, to share with your practice team, and make the most of the networking opportunities available to you, whether that’s with other vets or the industry representatives in the exhibition hall.
Also make a visit to our wellbeing zone to take some time to recharge. We have a quiet and sensory room for you to stop and catch your breath.
For more information and to get your ticket, visit the BSAVA Congress 2023 website.
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