Stress and strain among veterinarians: a scoping review

Health care workers are exposed to various types of work stressors. Job inequity, pressure to preform, shift work, feeling of loss of control, low social support in the workplace and overtime are just examples of these stressors. These conditions will have effects on the wellbeing and health of the professionals, for example long working hours increase mortality of workers by 20%. Psychological consequences are also common like depression, anxiety disorders and dementia. Veterinary professionals work in comparable conditions to health care workers.

In the veterinary field adding to the previous stressors, we have changing working schedules, financial issues, client demands/expectations and ethical dilemmas. It is known in the profession and several studies have found that the risk of suicide is higher among veterinary practitioners compared to other working groups. Burnout and stress have been discussing within the community for years.

The aim of this study is to overview the evidence on work stress and its effects on the mental health among veterinarians. By summarizing other studies related to psychological workload and its potential health effects, for example, depression, burnout anxiety and suicidal risk in veterinarians, the author will try to find strategies to help improve the wellbeing of the veterinary profession.

It has been found that female veterinarians suffer more with stress than male veterinarians but having into account that most of the veterinarian community is female this data is inconclusive. One of the main stressors was working time and depression was the most cited risk factor for suicidal behavior.

These measures could greatly reduce the turnover in the profession, being poor work-life balance the top reason to leave. There are several strategies that can still be implemented to improve work environment, employee retention and boost morale.

It is highly important to reduce psychological stressors on veterinary practitioners and coping strategies must be created. It is important that these strategies are adapted to each individual needs and that social support is reinforced among the veterinary community.

Further research is necessary to identify concrete work stressors and the best strategies to minimize them. Coaching, counselling and stress management courses and seminars could be beneficial both in early career stages and later. Professional organizations and veterinary schools should provide training in the management of work-related anxiety and depression and resilience building programs.

Pohl, R. et al (2022) ‘Stress and Strain amoung Veterinarians: a scoping review’ Irish Veterinary Journal. 75 (15)