Taking stock and making strides toward wellness in the veterinary workplace

Abstract

U ndoubtedly, the veterinary medical field attracts individuals with high levels of compassion and empathy and the drive to care for others. With increased public recognition of the human-animal bond and the greater value placed on it, veterinarians and their staff members are increasingly expected to display high levels of consideration and compassion in the veterinary workplace. Individuals tend to enter and remain in the veterinary profession in part because of compassion satisfaction (the joy or sense of achievement found in helping others and providing high-quality patient care), 1,2 and overall, veterinarians and other animal caretakers report high levels of satisfaction in their work. 1,3,4 However, caring at such a high level can be associated with considerable personal and professional costs. Over time, repeated exposure to traumatic events in the lives of patients and their owners (eg, abuse, illness, trauma, and euthanasia), moral dilemmas, and occupational stressors can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout. Compassion fatigue, also known as vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, or secondary victimization, is a result of medical caregivers' unique relationship with ill or dying patients and the empathy they feel. 2,5,6 Burnout, on the other hand, is related to interactions with the workplace environment and feelings of being ineffec-Taking stock and making strides toward wellness in the veterinary workplace

Impact of dealing with bereaved clients on the psychological wellbeing of veterinarians

“…Psychological stress is becoming more recognised as a workplace health and safety risk for veterinarians . This substantiates the requirement for organisations to recognise compassion fatigue as a workplace hazard, with professional associations having a role in promoting awareness and providing resources and continuing professional development . We propose that veterinarians require more adequate training regarding their vulnerability to poor psychological health and increased knowledge to identify if colleagues are struggling and at risk of compassion fatigue.…”

“…It is defined as a form of secondary traumatic stress that is the natural consequence experienced by clinicians who care for suffering people or animals . The concept is beginning to receive attention in the veterinary literature, where prolonged exposure to the loss and grief of clients whose companion animals have died and performing euthanasias can create significant psychological and physical stress …”

“…Determining if emotional work is a contributing factor to the high level of occupational stress and poor psychological health among veterinarians may contribute to existing research regarding veterinarians' wellbeing. Although anecdotal evidence suggests compassion fatigue is an issue affecting veterinary surgeons, the area has been largely neglected by researchers …”

Professional wellness of the veterinary team

“…Veterinarians who neglect their physical, emotional and psychological needs can find themselves suffering from ‘compassion fatigue’ and it has been estimated that between 15 and 67% of veterinarians are at high risk of burnout (Brannick et al . ).…”

“…Also a heavy workload, insufficient rest and prolonged, intense contact with animals and their owners can result in occupational stresses and burnout. Veterinarians who neglect their physical, emotional and psychological needs can find themselves suffering from 'compassion fatigue' and it has been estimated that between 15 and 67% of veterinarians are at high risk of burnout (Brannick et al 2015).…”