Understanding and Combating Veterinary Burnout: Insights and Strategies

Burnout is a syndrome of emotional distress common in health-care professions. Veterinary burnout has reached alarming levels, significantly impacting their well-being and the quality of care they provide. Recent surveys reveal that burnout rates have increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend underscores the need for effective strategies to manage and reduce burnout in the veterinary profession, including those specializing in ruminant care.

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Recent Survey Highlights

In an online survey performed in 2023 to 282 Spanish veterinarians (57.4% women and 42.6% men), researchers observed that 23% suffered from burnout syndrome and the average scores were 29 points (0-54 scale) for emotional exhaustion. Among this population, it was identified a higher prevalence of burnout associated with small animal clinicians (75.3%) and women (66.1%), in comparison to large animal clinicians (24.6%) and men (33.8%). 

Also in 2023, an online survey was performed to 4,636 veterinarians from a random sample of 40,000 US veterinarians provided by the AVMA. Results of the present study indicated that 18% of veterinarians had high to very high burnout compared to 16% of adults in the US general population. Similar to the previous study, burnout levels were highest in companion animal veterinarians (20%) and lowest in food animal veterinarians (8%). Younger veterinarians experienced higher levels of burnout (26%) than older veterinarians (13%). 

Another comprehensive survey performed by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) in 2023, highlighted that most veterinarians in Europe (91%) describe themselves as stressed but levels of stress vary, with almost a fifth (19%) describing their stress levels as ‘very stressed’. Veterinarians in Lithuania, Greece and Italy are the most stressed (38%, 37% and 32% describe their mental state as being ‘very stressed’). This contrasts to The Netherlands, where 26% say they are ‘not at all stressed. Close to a quarter (23%) of European veterinarians reported they had to take more than two weeks off work due to depression, burn-out, exhaustion or compassion fatigue in the last three years. 

Strategies to Combat Veterinary Burnout

Addressing veterinary burnout requires a multifaceted approach. 

• Creating a Supportive Community: Veterinary professionals benefit greatly from a supportive community where they can share experiences and offer mutual support. Online platforms like Not One More Vet (NOMV) and various social media groups provide valuable resources for emotional well-being, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding​​.
• Balancing Work and Personal Life: Achieving a healthy work-life balance is crucial for preventing burnout. Veterinary practices should explore flexible work arrangements, such as part-time schedules, maternity leave, and semi-retirement options. Embracing virtual care can also provide flexibility, allowing veterinarians to manage their workload more effectively while maintaining high standards of care​. 
• Professional Development and Goal Setting: Continuous professional development and goal setting can help veterinarians stay engaged and motivated. Encouraging participation in conferences, workshops, and online courses can provide new perspectives and solutions, reigniting passion for the profession. Veterinarians with clear professional goals report significantly lower burnout rates and higher job satisfaction​. 

• Implementing Burnout Prevention Strategies: Veterinary practices should implement comprehensive burnout prevention strategies. These might include mandatory days off, limiting work hours, and providing opportunities for administrative tasks to be completed remotely. Practices with clear burnout prevention strategies have significantly lower burnout rates among their staff​. 
• Enhancing Work Environment: Creating a positive and healthy work environment is vital. This includes fostering open communication about mental health, providing employee assistance programs, and ensuring a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Regular mental health check-ins and wellness programs can also play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy work environment. 
• Addressing Financial Stress: Financial stress is a significant contributor to burnout among veterinarians. Practices should consider offering financial counselling and assistance programs to help employees manage their debts effectively. Additionally, fair compensation and recognition of their efforts can improve job satisfaction and reduce feelings of underappreciation​. 

Conclusion

Veterinary burnout, including those specializing in ruminant care, is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. By fostering supportive communities, balancing work and personal life, encouraging professional development, implementing robust burnout prevention strategies, enhancing work environments, and addressing financial stress, veterinary practices can significantly reduce burnout rates and improve the overall well-being of their staff.

By prioritizing mental health and well-being, the veterinary profession can thrive, ensuring that veterinarians can continue to provide the highest level of care to the animals under their care. 

References

González, Á. S. M., González, P. S. M., Míguez-Santiyán, M., Rodríguez, F. S., & Pérez-López, M. (2023). Prevalence of burnout syndrome among veterinarians in Spain. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 261(5), 1-8. Retrieved Jul 30, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.09.0407

Volk JO, Schimmack U, Strand EB, Reinhard A, Hahn J, Andrews J, Probyn-Smith K, Jones R. Work-life balance is essential to reducing burnout, improving well-being. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2024 May 10;262(7):950-957. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0135. PMID: 38729208.

Fletcher KN, Bergman ME, Austin JW, Marks SL, Fingland RB, Dallap-Schaer B, Sanchez C, Chun R, Davis EG, Kim G, Otero La Porte YY, Edoga EI, Levine JM. Survey indicates addressing workplace environment, work-life balance, and flexibility are key to attracting and retaining veterinarians in academia. Am J Vet Res. 2024 Jun 28:1-9. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.24.03.0082. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38942061.

The emotional toll of financial stress, work environment, and euthanasia. 2023. Galaxy Vets. Accessed July 11, 2023. https://galaxyvets.com/the-emotional-toll-of-financial-stress-work-environment-and-euthanasia/

Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE). Third survey of the Veterinary profession in Europe 2023. www.fve.org