By Marisa Brunetti, VMD
urnout. It’s a word we’re hearing more and more in the world of veterinary medicine. And unfortunately for too many of us, it’s a reality.
In a study published in the American Veterinary Medical Association Journal, 86.7% of U.S. veterinarians had ProQOL burnout scores in the moderate or high range. Taken together, the long hours, complex cases, emotional demands and traumatic situations—not to mention the challenges of managing client and interoffice dynamics—can be overwhelming. Add stress and physical exhaustion to the mix and it’s a petri dish for personal crisis.
Worst of all, burnout and compassion fatigue can feel like an assault on our very selves. We go into this profession to help others, and when we hit our own emotional and psychological limits, it can bring up feelings of shame and guilt. We’re healers. So why can’t we heal ourselves? Of course these negative feelings only compound our existing fears and sorrows.
These days, we all hear way too much about creating our own “work-life balance.” While we are ultimately responsible for ourselves, the conditions that have led so many of us to this place in the veterinary industry are not in our control. It’s not just about our self-care or taking time to do yoga, although those things help. What we need is something much bigger—a cultural shift in our workplaces that centers our wellbeing.
- Take Your Time. Take your PTO when you need it. It’s owed to you—don’t squander a minute of it. Dedicate time each day or week to activities that recharge and rejuvenate you. This can include self-care like exercise, hobbies, mindfulness practices, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. The work will never be done, but you need to step away and nourish yourself.
- Establish Boundaries. Define specific working hours and avoid bringing work-related tasks or stress into your personal time. Communicate these boundaries to colleagues, clients and employers. Assertively protect personal time and say no to additional work or commitments.
- Put Yourself First. Ask for support from your employer to help mitigate burnout. If your employer is unwilling to assist you or acknowledge these issues, then consider finding another employer who will take your wellbeing seriously.
- Seek Professional Support. Don’t hesitate to seek professional support if you’re experiencing stress, burnout or mental health challenges. Reach out to therapists or counselors who specialize in working with veterinary professionals. They can provide guidance and coping strategies tailored to your unique needs. You can also make use of resources offered by veterinary associations or organizations that focus on improving wellbeing in the industry.
- Address Burnout and Compassion Fatigue. All employers in this industry should be willing to acknowledge the realities of veterinary life and the high-stakes mental health risks that are in play. Foster a culture of support and understanding by providing opportunities for debriefing and counseling, as well as ongoing open dialogue among employees. Schedule regular staff meetings to discuss challenging cases and ways you can better support your team. Also make sure your team takes all of their PTO each year. Did you know research shows preventing doctor burnout will save your clinic an average of $17,000-$25,000 a year?
- Foster a Supportive Work Environment. Lead by example for your employees by demonstrating your own strategies for wellness. Give employees access to mental health resources. Create workplace policies and procedures that promote open dialogue, feedback gathering, peer support and mentoring across multiple channels, including online and in person. Allow your staff to say no and be sure to honor their boundaries. Set the example by keeping appointments on schedule so the clinic can close on time and your team can get home as scheduled.
- Utilize Relief Staffing Agencies. Whether you’re a large hospital or a small private practice, relief staffing agencies are a valuable resource to have. Hiring relief vets gives clinics the ability to provide their own staff with the time off they deserve without disrupting the flow of patients or revenue. Relief doctors can cover your employees’ parental leaves, leaves of absence, time off for continuing education and other situations. They’re a great solution when you’re understaffed or just want to lighten the load to prevent your staff from burning out.
