Kate Boatright spotlights surgical confidence in general practice

Clinician’s Brief has published a new April 2026 article, “Developing Confidence in Surgical Skills,” by small animal veterinarian and educator Kate Boatright, VMD, alongside a related podcast episode hosted by Alyssa Watson, DVM. In the piece, Boatright tackles a familiar question in general practice: how veterinarians decide which surgeries they should perform, when referral is the better choice, and whether opting out of surgery changes a clinician’s value. Her central message is that surgical confidence isn’t static, and that the role of surgery in general practice is becoming more individualized as specialty access expands. (cliniciansbrief.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the article lands in the middle of a larger workforce and mentorship conversation. Boatright’s broader writing on mentorship argues that new graduates need structured support, protected mentor time, and a staged progression for appointments and procedures, especially because many leave early jobs when mentorship falls short. She has specifically written that procedural confidence develops through repetition, shared surgery time, and realistic case selection, rather than pressure to “do everything.” That framing may resonate with hospitals trying to balance access to care, referral relationships, team utilization, and clinician retention. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: Expect this discussion to keep surfacing as practices refine mentorship models, define GP surgical scope more clearly, and respond to growing specialization across companion animal medicine. (cliniciansbrief.com)