Finding Work-Life Balance in the High-Stress Veterinary Field

Over the past few decades, mental health has gained significant recognition as an integral part of the healthcare industry. Various groups within the population have been found to suffer from high levels of mental distress or illness, especially veterinary professionals who, it has been discovered, are particularly affected. Many studies have shown that they experience higher rates of depressive thoughts, suicidal tendencies, and other psychological issues. A massive part of this problem has been identified as lack of work-life balance.

It’s encouraging to see more clinics and animal medical facilities taking steps to address and improve the situation. However, it’s crucial not to take small changes in awareness and social attitudes for granted. Prioritizing and normalizing a healthy mindset in the veterinary workplace should remain a top priority. Let us look at steps that both veterinarians and veterinary practice managers can take to reduce their burdens and alleviate mental tension.

Is this really an Issue?

A study by Merck Animal Health (MAH) found that only 50% of veterinarians with mental health inconsistencies were receiving any form of solid support[1]. Overall, the veterinary profession suicide rate was much worse than that in the dental and medical professions[2] and quadruple the general population[3] rates. Furthermore, younger workers in this field were found to be more susceptible to cognitive agitation. Their rates – 8.7% of those between 18 and 34 years and 9.1% of those between 35 to 44 years – were critically higher than that of those in the 65 and older age group (0.7%).

This is amplified by:

• high levels of burdensome student debt.
• Compassion fatigue due to the regular exposure to trauma, loss, and emotional or physical pain.
• Long work hours can lead to burnout and exhaustion for veterinary professionals.
• Veterinarians struggle with the grief and emotional impact of losing their animal patients, which can take a toll on their mental well-being.
• The “Emotional Paradox” refers to the challenge of balancing the high levels of empathy that vets require to do their job effectively with the emotional toll it takes on them.
• Stress levels in veterinary teams can be heightened due to the unique pressures of the profession.

How to Cultivate Work-Life Balance in Veterinary Professions:

It is vital that both veterinarians and practice managers understand that a lack of work-life balance can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Over prolonger periods, this can result in reduced productivity, poorer quality of care, and an increased risk of medical errors. The psychological ill-health in veterinary teams can very negatively affect client experience, relationship building, and the level of trust between the practice and the pet owner. So this is not simply a problem for veterinarians. It necessitates addressal.

So here are some Strategies that can be used by Employees and by their management to come to a mutually beneficial solution.

For the Employee:

Establish a flexible work schedule, with clear boundaries:

Inform your team leader about the timing within which you are willing to work. And then stick to those without exception. This can involve avoiding checking work emails or taking calls outside of work hours, and making a conscious effort to disconnect from work-related activities during personal time. Make sure to carry your weight so that criticism cannot be directed your way as to your contribution to the team.

A good option for achieving work-life balance is job sharing. You can approach another veterinarian in the practice who might be interested in sharing responsibilities with you. This can help both of you divide the workload, and you’ll have more time for personal pursuits. Additionally, it can be helpful to create a schedule that rotates weekend and holiday shifts, so no one feels overly burdened with taking time off.

Prioritize self-care:

Consider incorporating activities into your daily routine that help you relax and recharge, such as physical exercise, a study course, joining a social club, or volunteering for a cause that you are passionate about. These activities can serve as a form of self-care and help reduce stress levels. It’s essential to make these activities time-sensitive and non-negotiable, so they cannot be put off or ignored. By scheduling these commitments in advance and sticking to them, you can ensure that you have time for yourself and avoid getting caught up in work-related stressors.

Examine your Workflow:

A useful strategy for managing your time effectively at work is to track how you spend your time for a full week. This will help you identify which tasks are necessary and which ones are not, and whether there are any that could be delegated to someone else. It could also help you determine if there are any tasks that could be set aside and done together on a once-daily or once-weekly schedule, thereby saving time.

When tracking your time, it is important to be thorough and accurate. Record all of your activities throughout the day, including breaks and interruptions. You can use a notebook, a planner, or time-tracking software to help you keep track of your time. After you have tracked your time for a week, take a close look at your results. Identify any tasks that seem repetitive or that could be delegated to someone else.

For the Veterinary Manager:

Social Events:

You’d be surprised at how much an individual’s job satisfaction is linked to their colleagues’ attitudes, mindsets, the social atmosphere and the intra-team dynamic. Giving the team something positive and exciting to focus on can be a great boon to team spirit. Not to mention, competitions and activities build collaboration and camaraderie between members. When it is clear that their mental wellbeing is catered to, veterinary professionals will appreciate and support their veterinary manager and team lead. The good relations between veterinary teams will also be reflected in their behavior and response to clients, patients, and their performance level.

Have Break Times and Outdoor Exposure:

We know what you’re thinking: I can’t just let my entire staff outside at the same time! Yes, we know there are constant emergencies in the veterinary field. That’s why you need to have break shifts. What that means is that different teams or team members get to take breaks during specific time slots. Implementing this and being supportive of a change of pace and surroundings will give your nurse staff a vital cool-down they definitely need. It will improve performance and customer satisfaction too, so everyone wins!

Gift them Sleep-Monitoring Equipment:

Continuing on the same theme, we also know that mental health and sleep cycles are strongly correlated. Yet a lot of veterinarians, who need good amounts of sleep to deal with the hectic demands of their field, suffer from sleep deprivation.

There are many services for sleep improvement. You could have them download an app, use a website, or even buy them a device. Our advice is to gift them a sleep tracking device upon joining the company after completing an internship, training, or probation period. The best affordable sleep tracker is Withing’s Sleep Analyzer, which tracks sleep independently and is disturbance-free. If you prefer a less complex and more affordable choice, just add a sleep tracker to your company app, or have them use an app like Relax Melodies to get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

What Should You Take Away?

Remember, it isn’t just the job of the behavioral specialist to show empathy towards the veterinarians. If your subordinates feel like their team lead does not have your support, then they will not take his or her advice seriously. Furthermore, the help you are providing should not feel obligatory. If employees feel that you are simply going through the motions, or hesitant to implement any policies that will genuinely benefit them, they will be reluctant to take advantage of the facilities you offer. So, if you want a healthy and socially functional group of veterinary professionals that is inducive to productivity, then make sure you have an attitude to match it.

References:

[1] Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study. Feb 2018.

[2] Halliwell REW, Hoskin BD. Reducing the suicide rate among veterinary surgeons: How the profession can help. Vet Rec. 2005; 157:397–398

[3] Bartram DJ, Baldwin DS. Veterinary surgeons and suicide: Influences, opportunities and research directions. Vet Rec. 2008; 162:36–40