New study reveals increased distress among veterinary professionals

Today findings were released that examined the wellbeing and mental health of U.S. veterinarians. Conducted in the fall of 2021, the wide-ranging Veterinary Wellbeing Study is the third survey since 2017 and the first since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with a goal to examine and bring critical awareness to the challenges impacting the veterinary profession, while highlighting the impact that the pandemic has on practitioners and staff. For the first time, the study includes responses from veterinary technicians and support staff and their perspectives on the challenges they are currently facing in work.

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From hospital directors and practice owners, to veterinary technicians and administrative staff, the latest Wellbeing Study revealed the main barriers impacting those who practice veterinary medicine are the shortage of qualified staff and the fact that not all clinic or hospital employees have access to the same mental health tools as veterinarians.  

While 92% of respondents rated increased stress as one of their top mental health challenges, 88% cited student debt and concerns about the risk of suicide as leading stressors for veterinarians.

Pandemic Challenges Had a Significant Impact on Veterinarian Support Staff

It is no surprise that the pandemic impacted many veterinarians and clinic staff, including veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers and client service representatives. In fact, more than 90% of respondents reported that the shortage of qualified veterinary staff has been one of the biggest concerns throughout the pandemic, as was the challenge of providing veterinary services under the evolving pandemic and industry conditions (68%.)

Adding to these concerns, 81% of staff and 67% of veterinarians faced challenges with their clinics being short-handed due to employees spending time away from work for illness or family care. In addition, both staff and veterinarians emphasized their anxieties surrounding the risk of increased exposure to COVID-19 (63% and 61%, respectively) and longer work hours (51% and 46%, respectively).

The percentage of veterinarians with serious psychological distress has increased to 9.7% in 2021 as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, compared to 6.4% in 2019, due in large part to the ongoing pandemic. Among staff, the prevalence of serious psychological distress was nearly twice as high (18.1%). In addition, half of staff respondents (49.6%) and approximately one-third (30.5%) of veterinarians reported high levels of burnout.

Two-Thirds of Those who Reported Distress Lack Healthy Stress Management Plans

 Among respondents who reported distress in 2021, only one-third (33%) indicated that they had healthy methods for dealing with stress, compared to 81% of those who did not report distress. Serious psychological distress is more common in veterinarians who work excessive hours, compared to non-distressed veterinarians who reported spending more time on healthy, non-work activities, such as socializing with family and friends or participating in hobbies and activities. 

Healthy Stress Management Solutions for Veterinary Team Success

Veterinarians and veterinary staff who responded to the Wellbeing Survey recommend tools, such as developing stress management plans for their team members; maintaining a healthy work climate that fosters strong mental health; and working with a financial planner to help manage student debt. Social activities that promote teamwork, networking opportunities for professional development and taking wellbeing classes also were recommended to improve wellness and aid in stress management among veterinary professionals. In addition, when asked what veterinary employers are doing to support wellbeing in the workplace, they suggested acknowledging and discussing mental health and wellbeing challenges that are in progress, and providing the appropriate support in return, including an Employee Assistance Program and health insurance that covers mental health treatment.

Study Methodology

The third online study was conducted through a partnership with Merck Animal Health and the AVMA in September and October 2021 by Brakke Consulting, Inc., among a nationally representative sample of 2,495 veterinarians in the U.S., both practitioners and non-practitioners, using standardized research methods. The objectives were to continue to track wellbeing and mental health of veterinarians and benchmark findings against physicians and the U.S. general population of employed adults.

In the 2021 study, practitioner respondents asked to pass along a special link to full-time staff across practice roles, including veterinary technician, veterinary assistant, hospital practice manager, reception/client service representative or other members of a veterinary clinic's team. A total of 448 completed questionnaires were returned.

Data were weighted based on age, gender and region of the U.S. For the sample as a whole, the maximum margin of error is +/- 1.94% at 95% confidence level.