Beyond the Clinic - a podcast by and for vet professionals

In this episode, host Daniella dos Santos is joined by Rachel Malkani, Marie Erwood, and David Singleton from IVC Evidensia’s Research Team to discuss the vital role of research in shaping modern veterinary practice.
The conversation explores how evidence-based strategies are transforming clinical standards and advancing animal welfare. The team shares their focus for the year on responsible parasiticide usage, a crucial area for both animal health and environmental sustainability.
They also introduce the Care Frameworks—a practical tool designed to turn research findings into actionable insights for clinicians. By bridging science with practice, these frameworks aim to strengthen collaboration with pet owners and ultimately improve the standard of care for animals everywhere.
Our Guests:
Rachel Malkani 
Rachel is IVC Evidensia’s Group Clinical Research Lead. She leads on the annual research strategy, research support, and research training, and is also involved with the care frameworks and other evidence-based requests. 
Marie Erwood  
Marie a data scientist who started her career working in academic research for human health. She uses data to help measure the impact of research at IVC Evidensia and collaborate on internal and external research projects. 
David Singleton 
Davis is Group Director of Research at IVC Evidensia. He is a veterinary surgeon with a master's degree and a PhD in epidemiology and health informatics from the University of Liverpool. Collectively, he has first or co-authored over 40 publications.  
Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS  
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 
Powered by IVC Evidensia
At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners.
Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media.
Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.
Links
For IVC Evidensia colleagues visit the Research Hub on the Intranet
To contact the research team email: [email protected]

In this episode, host Daniella chats with Petra Agthe about the critical concepts of civility and psychological safety in workplace settings. They emphasize the importance of creating environments where team members feel safe. The discussion extends beyond clinical settings, highlighting that psychological safety is vital for any workplace, encouraging openness and genuineness. Together, they reveal strategies to foster safe, civil workspaces.
Our Guest: Petra Agthe CertVDI DipECVDI MRCVS  
Petra spent several years in general practice before completing a residency at the University of Cambridge, gaining the European Diploma in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2009. She has led the imaging team at a private multidisciplinary referral centre many years before starting her position at Southern Counties in November 2024. 
In addition to her clinical experience, she has also developed a strong interest in Human Factors, the non-clinical aspects that are important for high quality patient care. She is Chair of the Welfare Committee of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic imaging, an associate trainer for VetLed and host and co-founder of the Vet Mind Works Podcast. 
Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 
Powered by IVC Evidensia 
At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 
Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 
Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 
Links: 
Vet Mind Works podcast: https://vetmindworks.buzzsprout.com/ 
Petra Agthe LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b/  
'Keeping It Civil' Guide by the Incivility Toolkit from the University of Aberdeen https://research.abdn.ac.uk/applied-psych-hf/vit/ 
Leadership development resources: https://www.leaderfactor.com/resources 
Psych Safety newsletter, training and toolkits: https://psychsafety.com/newsletter/ 
Book recommendations: 
The Fearless Organisation by Amy Edmondson 
The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R Clark 
Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard by Megan Reitz and John Higgins

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) in veterinary practices. Host Daniela dos Santos speaks with Lisa Tolfree, IPC UK Manager at IVC Evidencia, highlighting the global significance of IPC in combating antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases. The discussion emphasises that every member in a veterinary practice can contribute to IPC efforts and explore the balance between sustainability and maintaining high IPC standards. Through audits and structured programs, practices can measure their achievements, showing that small changes in routine can significantly impact overall health outcomes.
Our Guest: Lisa Tolfree NCert (Anaesthesia and Critical Care) Cert Ed RVN Senior Referral Nurse
Following a decade as a primary school teacher, Lisa qualified as a Registered veterinary nurse in 2008, working in a busy referrals practice in Bristol. She attained her Anaesthesia and Critical Care nursing certificate in 2010 and, following further studies into wound management and infection control, moved to Rowe Veterinary Referrals in 2012 as a Senior Veterinary Nurse. She began working centrally for IVC Evidensia in 2020 as Infection Prevention & Control Manager UK & Ireland and continue to work part time at Rowe Referrals to keep in touch with the daily challenges of practice life. 
Our Host: Daniella Dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient of the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 
Powered by IVC Evidensia 
At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 
Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 
Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 
Links:
Development and implementation of a structured, quantitative approach to infection prevention and control within small animal veterinary care across four different European countries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587725001795?via%3Dihub 
 Revolution Zero: https://store.revolution-zero.com/

Ela Mederska, a specialist in small animal cardiology, discusses mitral valve disease, a degenerative cardiac disease prevalent in small dog breeds. The disease is categorized into stages A-D. Dogs in stage B2 benefit from Pimobendan, a drug proven to delay heart failure and for this reason early detection of stage B2 is crucial.
For general practitioners, auscultation serves as a primary diagnostic tool, but echocardiography remains definitive. The episode explores practical strategies for diagnosis and highlights the significance of appropriately timing interventions to enhance canine health outcomes and improve longevity.
Our Guest: Ela Mederska DVM CertAVP(VC) PgCert VPS AFHEA DipECVIM-CA(Cardiology) MRCVS RCVS and EBVS Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology 
Ela graduated in 2013 and spent six years in general practice, during which she completed a Certificate in Cardiology. She then undertook a rotating internship and a cardiology residency at the University of Liverpool. Ela has a strong interest in interventional cardiology and currently works as a referral cardiologist at Blaise Veterinary Referrals.  
Our Host: Daniella dos Santos BSc BVetMed FRCVS 
Daniella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012 having previously obtained a degree in Molecular Genetics from Kings College. She has since worked in first opinion, small animal and exotic pet practices across the Southeast. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever President of the British Veterinary Association, leading the profession through the height of the pandemic. During her time as President, she was instrumental in the association’s Diversity and Inclusion work, as well as the development and launch of the Good Workplaces Policy. Daniella was the recipient on the RCVS Inspiration Award 2021 for her leadership and became an RCVS Fellow in 2021 for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. She is a trustee of the animal welfare charity SPANA and the PetPlan Charitable Trust. 
Powered by IVC Evidensia 
At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 
Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 
Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.
Links:
Useful cardiology resources: https://www.iconsultvet.co.uk/resources
For clinical advice and further information about cardiology referral services at Blaise: Cardiology - Blaise Referrals
ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs - Keene - 2019 - Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine - Wiley Online Library

This podcast episode from Beyond the Clinic features a discussion between host Adam Redpath and equine medicine specialists Emma Shipman and Sarah Voss about gastric disease in horses. They discuss the significant differences in squamous and glandular diseases in terms of their etiology and management. Squamous disease is well-studied and responds to acid suppression with drugs like omeprazole. Glandular disease, less understood in its etiology, requires varied treatment strategies often tailored to the client’s abilities. The experts agree that management of these conditions requires a holistic approach; careful medication selection plus consideration of the horse's management routine, nutrition and workload.
Our Guests: 
Emma Shipman BVetMed MSc DACVIM-LAIM DipECEIM CertVA FHEA MRCVS RCVS and EBVS Recognised Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine 
Emma graduated from the RVC in 1999 and completed a residency in equine medicine at the Marion duPont Scott equine Medical Centre, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine obtaining a masters in veterinary biomedical sciences and Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Internal medicine. Since then she has worked in both private practice and academia, being associate professor in equine medicine at the university of Nottingham since 2021.
Sarah Voss BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS MVM DipECEIM FHEA MRCVS RCVS and European Equine Internal Medicine Specialist
Sarah graduated from Nottingham in 2012. She completed an internship at Oakham then spent time in equine ambulatory practice before undertaking an Equine Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Glasgow. Sarah is a European and RCVS Equine Internal Medicine specialist and has also completed a Masters by research investigating the gastric microbiota associated with gastric disease in racehorses. Sarah currently works at Oakham and is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nottingham. 
Our Host: Adam Redpath BVMS DipECEIM MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Adam is a EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine having successfully becoming an ECEIM Diplomat in 2021. He has spent the majority of his early career in clinical academic practice, having several roles at the University of Nottingham. More recently Adam has ventured into private practice having worked at both Donnington Grove and Oakham Veterinary Hospital as an equine internal medicine clinician over the past 18 months. Adam currently splits his time between his clinical role at Oakham Veterinary Hospital and as Equine Development Lead within the L&D team at IVC Evidensia. 
Powered by IVC Evidensia 
At IVC Evidensia we’re building the world’s best veterinary group, with a single purpose; healthy animals and happy owners. 
Visit ivcevidensia.co.uk to find out more, or follow us on social media. 
Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia. 
Links:
Oakham Veterinary hospital pages: www.oakhamvethospital.co.uk/referral/equine-referrals/referral-information4
European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement—Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Adult Horses https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4858038/