PetDocsOnCall.com

Staff Veterinarian Training Manual

Contents

• Overall Goals• Posting and replying at PetDocsOnCall• User Control Panel– Signature Blocks and Avatars

• Efficiency Aids– New Posts– Subscribe to threads and/or forums

Overall Goals• PetDocsOnCall.com was conceived to help

address several concerns:– Fight the abundance of misinformation about pet

health so common on the Internet– Promote the veterinarian as the true “animal

expert”– Provide a needed source of revenue for VNN,

insuring our journalistic/financial independence.– Create method allowing VNN reporters to “give

back” to VNN.

• Registered users at PetDocsOnCall (and our partner site, MedHelp.org) post questions relating to their pet’s health and behavior.

• Staff DVMs answer questions using media-savvy techniques, good client relations skills and empathy towards pets and owners.

Original posting

• In the original post, or question, you will often find information referring to the signalment of the pet and the condition.

• Many posters use their own made up “shorthand” similar to text message shorthand in writing posts.

• Your administrators will attempt to clarify those posts as necessary

Example post (Figure #1)

Original Poster

Reply button

Original Posting

• In Figure 1 you can see the layout of a typical posting.

• Above the original post, to the left, is a button for “Reply to Thread”. Click this button to start your answer.

• In Figure 2, you will see the reply box. Click the “Go Advanced” button to utilize a more functional reply box.

Reply to Poster (Figure 2)

Click here for advanced functions

Reply to Poster (Figure #3)Emoticons

Type answer here

Preview your reply

Post your reply

Replying to postings

• You will notice above the content box that there are buttons for editing fonts, size, type color, etc. These can help you highlight specific concerns or ideas within your answer.

• Beyond editing type you can also:– Add links to specific articles or websites that might

be helpful– Add attachments or images that might help clarify

your answer.

Replying to postings

• As mentioned, your media training will come in handy in answering questions.

• Try to stay positive; compliment the poster if possible on their pet. Empathize with their concerns.

• Be supportive of their actions to date and always try to reinforce the primary DVM relationship.

Finalizing your answer

• Before submitting your reply, consider using the “Preview Post” button (see Fig 3).

• With this, you can review your answer before posting looking for:– Mis-spellings– Ease of readability (is your answer in one large

block of text or broken up into easily read blocks?)

Submitted Answer (Figure #4)

Signature block

Standard disclaimer

Signature Blocks

• As you can see in Figure 4, a signature block has been added for your convenience. Below this block is the required disclaimer.

• Please don’t edit or remove the disclaimer. We would like to see your name and degree(s) in the signature block, along with your location. It is up to your discretion about adding phone numbers, addresses, websites, etc.

Main Forum Page (Figure #5)

“What’s New Button”

User Control Panel (Figure #6)

Signature BlocksSignature blocks are added to your reply so that you don’t have to “sign” each posting. We have added a block for you but they can be edited on this screen. Please don’t remove or edit the professional disclaimer below your signature block.

AvatarsAvatars are small pictures or graphics that accompany each of your postings. If you need help developing an avatar (your picture or hospital logo), please email Dr. Jim or Tom.

Efficiency Aids

• We know that you are all busy practitioners and often will not have time to routinely log in and check for new postings.

• By using the What’s New Button and the forum/thread subscriptions, you can see quickly which posts need answered.

• For the location of the New Posts button, please review Figure #5

New PostsAny postings that are new since your last log in will be in bold type.

Subscribe to ForumYou can receive daily or weekly email updates for individual forums by clicking on the Forum Tools Button and choosing Subscribe to this Forum. You will be given an option of weekly or daily updates on the next page.

Forum Tools Button

Thread ToolsThis is similar to the forum subscription, but may be useful if you have asked the poster to follow up with another answer. Again, weekly and daily email alerts are available.

Thread Tools Button

Final thoughts…

• There is a lot of functionality within forums that is too complex to delve into within this short training guide.

• If you see something you would like to know more about or even if some function is possible, please email Dr. Jim or Tom and let us know.

• Thanks so much for your help!