Talking about the new veterinary wellbeing study

On this episode of Living Well with Dr. Jessica Turner, our guest is Dr. Joseph Hahn, from Merck Animal Health.  Dr. Joseph talks about the results from the most recent veterinary wellness study.

From hospital directors and practice owners, to veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and administrative staff, the latest wellbeing study- conducted by AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Merck Animal Healthand Brakke Consulting 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.

👉More than 90% of respondents reported that the shortage of qualified veterinary staff has been one of the biggest concerns.

👉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.