Veterinarians are mentally well but experience poor well-beingFebruary 17, 2018Veterinarians as a group don't experience psychological distress at significantly higher rates than the general population, according to a new mental health and well-being study by Brakke Consulting and Merck Animal Health. The Merck Animal Health Wellbeing Study, designed to definitively quantify the prevalence of mental illness and stress in the veterinary profession, compared findings to previous studies and to the U.S. population in general. The survey, which polled 3,540 American Veterinary Medical Association members (from a random sample of 20,000), is the first to measure well-being of such a large veterinary sample using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, which is widely used in assessing psychological distress among general and clinical populations. "This survey is unique in that, for the first time, a nationally representative sample of veterinarians in the U.S. were asked about their well-being, which is a broader measure of happiness and life satisfaction than mental health alone," said study investigator Linda Lord, Ph.D., DVM, academic and allied industry liaison lead for Merck Animal Health. One big takeaway is that 5 percent, or 1 in 20, of veterinarians struggle with serious psychological distress (roughly that of the employed general population). "The …
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What to do about growing stress in the veterinary professionJanuary 15, 2018Stress is an all-pervasive phenomenon in modern day societies and various professions, but the veterinary discipline suffers from the negative effects of stress and its sequelae at a troublingly disproportionate rate.
Are you protecting your passion for veterinary medicine?January 5, 2018 Compassion fatigue and burnout—everyone is talking about it. Try picking up any veterinary publication or attending any conference without seeing this subject appear at least once. There is a reason the subject is everywhere—it's because they are real and our colleagues are suffering. I wish to continue the conversation based on recent experiences. We've all seen the stats and certainly agree they are alarming. I do not claim to be an expert in these matters, but I have made the commitment to learn about it so that I can help my team and peers stay rooted in the passion that first brought them to the profession that they love. Veterinary professionals are kind, compassionate, and selfless people. It's a double-edged sword when that selflessness turns into fatigue and anxiety from pushing too hard, too long without enough self-care. I recently participated in a six-week online course called Compassion Fatigue RX. Hosted by Julie Squires, certified compassion fatigue specialist and certified life coach, this course was part of her efforts to help individuals and teams thrive in the midst of challenging and stressful work environments. I found this course to be an incredibly helpful and enlightening …
Veterinary Mental Health Practitioners forms as part of AAVMCDecember 11, 2017The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is addressing mental health issues within the profession through its newly established Veterinary Mental Health Practitioners (VMHP) group. The group, which includes all licensed mental health practitioners working within colleges of veterinary medicine, is designed to protect and enhance the health and wellness of veterinary students as they conduct their studies and prepare for professional practice. "Veterinary medical students and doctors grapple with mental health and wellness issues, as do practitioners in other health professions," said Chandra Grabill, Ph.D., VMHP chair, assistant dean for student wellness and engagement at Michigan State University, noting that some of the challenges include depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, interpersonal challenges, and the struggle of balancing professional and personal responsibilities. "By combining our resources, the VMHP group will be in a stronger position to focus on these important issues." The group's goal is to enable all veterinary students to thrive during their education and flourish as veterinary professionals by: Addressing the personal, social, educational, mental health, and career needs of veterinary students; Cultivating a culture that values a healthy, diverse and inclusive veterinary community; Graduating students with competencies necessary to be healthy, successful professionals …
A tale of four paws, two veterinary practicesOctober 17, 2017You probably remember one of the defining moments of the O.J. Simpson trial, when during closing arguments, in reference to the infamous glove found at the scene, Johnnie Cochran said, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
AVMA announces new mental health resource programsAugust 3, 2017Veterinarian mental health is among the top priorities of American Medical Veterinary Association (AVMA), stated the organization, which is why it says it is committed to developing resources to safeguard veterinarians’ emotional well-being.
Why wellness plans are great for your vet practiceJuly 20, 2017When Brakke Consulting conducted its Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study in 2010-2011, it became clear that many pet owners wanted the opportunity to pay for routine veterinary service in monthly installments, according to John Volk, a senior consultant with the Dallas-based management consulting firm.
Veterinary social work program a success for this vet hospitalJuly 6, 2017Compassion fatigue, burnout, depression and other mental health issues are big problems in the veterinary profession; suicide rates for veterinarians are extremely high too. Thankfully, this issue has veterinary school and organizations calling for more counseling and mental wellness practices in the veterinary profession.
Study: Pet owners more satisfied with clinics that play classical musicJuly 5, 2017The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has released the abstract of a paper called “Effect of different types of classical music played at a veterinary hospital on dog behavior and owner satisfaction.”
Kristen Levine launches first annual Pet Anxiety Awareness WeekJune 19, 2017Kristen Levine Pet Living will kick off the first annual Pet Anxiety Awareness Week (PAAW) on June 25 to educate pet owners and pet lovers in general about anxiety, fear and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats.
