Intra‐professional stress—demonstrating veterinarian identity in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective Little is known about the contributing factors of mental health among veterinarians in Hong Kong. This qualitative study aimed to examine potential contributing factors that lead to their stress and poor mental health. Procedures Potential participants were screened and recruited using purposive and snowball sampling to maximise variations. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. The data collection and analysis adopted the constructivist grounded theory's three‐stage coding process and were thematically coded and analysed. Results Eighteen veterinarians took part in the study. Intra‐professional stress was classified by stressors from individual veterinarians, expectations of their workplace, and shared values among the profession. Participants expected themselves to exhibit professionalism when under low‐quality workplace leadership with restrictions from the profession's institutional regulations and resources. The urbanised culture and cyberbullying phenomenon in Hong Kong contributed significantly to the stress and impacted their mental well‐being. Conclusion and relevance The quality of communication and the feasibility of meeting expectations were overarching concepts associated with intra‐professional stressors. While this paper focuses on stressors residing within the veterinary community, veterinarians' responses to expectations of the animal‐health enthusiast community were equally influential. This study enabled an international comparison of the profession's distress from non‐Anglosphere, urbanised city, and will shed light on the development of future research and practice to improve the mental health of veterinarians, which directly influences the well‐being of the animals and their owners in Hong Kong.

Suicidality, depression, and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians: a quantitative pilot study

“…Moreover, they city's lack of business regulatory requirements for the profession challenges veterinarian-employees and, possibly, the welfare of animals. 13 Besides the limited legal liability for medical misconduct on non-veterinarian investors, 13 businessmen-owned veterinary clinics are believed less familiarised with the speci city of ethics in veterinary medicine, such as the appropriate length of medical consultation and a fair-minded pro t model of the veterinary enterprises. 13 Our previous qualitative study found that veterinarians' experience of workplace leadership and workplace harmony were some factors affecting their mental health.…”

“…13 Besides the limited legal liability for medical misconduct on non-veterinarian investors, 13 businessmen-owned veterinary clinics are believed less familiarised with the speci city of ethics in veterinary medicine, such as the appropriate length of medical consultation and a fair-minded pro t model of the veterinary enterprises. 13 Our previous qualitative study found that veterinarians' experience of workplace leadership and workplace harmony were some factors affecting their mental health. 13 The main barriers to accessing mental health services was due to their lack of work-life balance, resulted from their late nishing and unpredictable work schedule.…”

“…12 Unlikely many other countries, investing in veterinary clinics in Hong Kong are not restricted to licensed veterinarians, the relatively low market entry barrier possibly ampli ed rivalry among clinics clustered in proximity. 13 While Hong Kong pet owners were mostly satis ed with their veterinarians (64.7%), those who were dissatis ed might not revisit the clinic (33.2%) or might le a complaint (8.2%) to the clinic or o cial channels. 12 The duration of some complaints lodged to the Hong Kong Veterinary Surgeon Board, an independent statutory authority and the o cial channel that investigate veterinary-related complaints, could take up to 7 years to resolve 14 and were stressful for both the pet owners and the veterinarians.…”

“…12 The duration of some complaints lodged to the Hong Kong Veterinary Surgeon Board, an independent statutory authority and the o cial channel that investigate veterinary-related complaints, could take up to 7 years to resolve 14 and were stressful for both the pet owners and the veterinarians. 13 In comparison, it was reported that complaints in the U.K. and the U.S. would be scheduled within 15 months and resolved within 4 years. 15,16 Clients' cyberbullying and negative comments were found an emerging phenomenon upon that appeals as a convenient channel expressing weighted opinions upon their unmet expectations, and are affecting the mental health of veterinarians in Hong Kong 13,17 and around the globe.…”

“…13 In comparison, it was reported that complaints in the U.K. and the U.S. would be scheduled within 15 months and resolved within 4 years. 15,16 Clients' cyberbullying and negative comments were found an emerging phenomenon upon that appeals as a convenient channel expressing weighted opinions upon their unmet expectations, and are affecting the mental health of veterinarians in Hong Kong 13,17 and around the globe. 18,19 This quantitative study examines the prevalence of suicidality, depression, and anxiety among veterinarians in Hong Kong.…”