title: Results of a survey to determine demographic and business management factors associated with size and growth rate of rural mixed-animal veterinary practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine potential associations between demographic and business management factors and practice size and growth rate in rural mixed-animal veterinary practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  54 mixed-animal practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey (96 questions) was electronically disseminated. Responses were collected, and outcomes (number of veterinarians [NV], growth in number of veterinarians [NVG], gross practice income [GPI], growth in gross practice income [GPIG], gross practice income per veterinarian [GPIV], and growth in gross practice income per veterinarian [GPIVG]) were calculated. Bivariate analyses were performed and multivariable models created to determine associations between survey responses and outcomes of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey respondents were from mixed-animal practices, and most (46/54 [85.2%]) practiced in small communities (< 25,000 people). Study practices had a median ± SD NV of 2.3 ± 1.9 veterinarians, median GPI of $704,547 ± 754,839, and median GPIV of $282,065 ± 182,344. Multivariable regression analysis revealed several factors related to practice size, including the number of associate veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the practice, service fee structure, and employment of a business manager. Typically, practices had positive mean growth in NVG (4.4%), GPIG (8.5%), and GPIVG (8.1%), but growth rate was highly variable among practices. Factors associated with growth rate included main species interest, frequency for adjusting prices, use of a marketing plan, service fee structure, and sending a client newsletter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mixed-animal practices had a large range in size and growth rate. Economic indices were impacted by common business management practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brusk
authors.forename: Brad J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Dan R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Goehl
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Dhuyvetter
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000191:economics*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration*