In the demanding field of veterinary medicine, establishing clear boundaries and learning to say no are essential skills for fostering resilience and maintaining mental health. Many veterinary professionals struggle with the pressure to take on extra responsibilities, leading to feelings of overwhelm and a sense of losing control. Recognizing the importance of setting limits is crucial for personal wellbeing, as it allows individuals to prioritize their needs and sustain their passion for the...
In a high-demand, high-stress field like veterinary medicine, managing ADHD can pose unique challenges. From struggling with focus, time management, and organization to dealing with emotional dysregulation, ADHD can impact both personal and professional lives. ADHD, often associated with children, frequently goes undiagnosed in adults, even in high-functioning individuals. In this episode, we dive into this critical topic for ADHD Awareness Month: how ADHD affects veterinary professional...
In this special 50th bonus episode, we’re offering you a moment to pause, breathe, and reset with a brief 5-minute meditation. Designed for busy veterinary professionals, this short meditation can be used anytime during your workday to help you ground yourself, release tension, and refocus. Whether you're in your car, breakroom, or office, take this opportunity to reconnect with your breath and calm your mind.Through simple mindfulness techniques, such as breath awareness, a 5-4-3-2-1 groundi...
Recent veterinary research reveals that as many as 50% of veterinary team members may be experiencing burnout. Tackling burnout in the veterinary profession requires a deeper understanding of its complexities. In this episode, we explore innovative ways to measure and address burnout, drawing on recent research and insights from Dr. Andria Jones, a researcher at the Ontario Veterinary College.We discuss the four burnout profiles identified in veterinarians: engaged, ineffective, overextended,...
Addressing mental health challenges within the veterinary profession requires a proactive approach, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like suicide. In this episode, we explore crucial resources designed to support veterinary team members and enhance their wellbeing during the most difficult times.We’ll dive into the AVMA’s After a Suicide documents and Suicide Prevention Document, as well as the AAVMC Suicide Prevention Awareness Toolkit. These resources offer comprehensive guideli...
Psychological health and safety is a buzz phrase that is picking up traction when it comes to taking steps to create healthier, safer, and more supportive work environments. In this episode, we delve into the Veterinary Visionaries™ initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration launched in 2022 by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which brought together nearly 50 veterinary health stakeholders to address the profession's most pressing challenges. Among the innovative ideas that em...
Mistakes are an inevitable part of veterinary practice, and if you’ve been in the field for any length of time, chances are you’ve made one. In this episode, we delve into the various types of mistakes that can occur, from minor errors like miscalculating a drug dose to more serious ones that may have significant consequences. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, we explore the emotional toll mistakes can take and share strategies for coping and thriving in their after...
Have you ever experienced feeling that you have somehow fooled everyone else around you into thinking you are smarter or more capable than you really are? Research demonstrates that just over two-thirds of veterinarians experience imposter syndrome, which is more common among female veterinarians and those in practice for less than 5 years. Imposter syndrome can be an excruciating experience for many professionals and can have dramatic consequences on a person’s wellbeing.In this episode, we ...
The ways in which veterinary teams communicate can have a tremendous impact on their wellbeing. Research demonstrates that team members that work within an environment with effective communication have lower burnout scores and higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those who work in an environment with ineffective communication. Likewise, candid and open communication among team members is one of the four main components of a healthy work environment identified in the Merck Animal Heal...
Work-life balance is the ever-talked-about-but-seemingly-elusive concept that we all appear to be striving for but without knowing how to actually get it. It is cited as one of the top stressors impacting veterinarians and, for many veterinary team members, is one of the top reasons for feeling dissatisfied with work. In this episode, we debunk misconceptions about work-life balance, discuss recognizing imbalance, and explore honoring generational differences in the approach to work and ...
The holidays are here and while this time of year is exciting and energizing for many people, it can be exhausting and illness-provoking for others. According to the American Psychological Association, more than one-third of people surveyed during the holidays report an increase in their stress level due to time constraints, financial concerns, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and, of course, family gatherings. It’s important that we don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of...
Stress, an inherent part of the veterinary profession, and one of the leading concerns among surveyed veterinary teams, can manifest both as eustress, beneficial for personal growth, and distress, leading to chronic exhaustion and overwhelming emotions. Research shows that veterinary professionals who have healthy strategies for coping with stress, are much less likely to experience psychological distress, which can manifest as symptoms of depression or anxiety. In this episode, we diff...
Toxic behaviors have deep-seated impacts on our wellbeing in veterinary medicine. Systematic changes, clear expectations, workload balancing, and candid communication are crucial to crafting a productive and safer work environment. In this bonus episode, I am interviewed by Dr. Stacey Cordivano, equine practitioner and host of The Whole Veterinarian podcast. During the episode, we discuss the influence of individual attitudes on a team's environment and dive deeply into the role that lea...
If you have ever given your cell number to a client when you didn’t want to, covered a shift for a team member when you felt exhausted and overwhelmed, or said yes to a neighbor who asked you for a work-related favor on your day off, then you are not alone. Unhealthy boundaries are common among veterinary team members and not only impact our relationships with others, but set us up for burnout and poor mental health. In this episode, we discuss the different types of unhealthy boundaries...
Has your life ended up the way you expected it would? Are you happy with your current work in veterinary medicine or does it no longer feel like the right fit? In this bonus episode, I am interviewed byJordan Banshea, VIN Foundation Executive Director and host of the Veterinary Pulse podcast. We recap my journey in veterinary medicine including how I believed I would always work in companion animal general practice and how and when I realized that was no longer my path. We also discuss m...
Research demonstrates that Canadian veterinarians are more likely to experience mental health problems compared to the general population. Likewise, studies show that veterinary teams in the USA are experiencing rising rates of psychological distress, especially among young veterinarians and veterinary support team members. In this episode and in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss mental health and mental health problems among adults and veterinary teams, as well a...
Do you ever feel like you’re on a hamster wheel that you cannot get off of? Have you been a “workaholic” since your pre-veterinary school years and can’t seem to break the habit? Do you feel like a “fake” or a “fraud” when it comes to your aptitude or abilities as a veterinary care provider?In this bonus episode, I am interviewed by Dr. Megan Sprinkle, host of the Vet Life Reimagined podcast. We recap my journey in veterinary medicine including my repeated experiences of workaholism and impos...
Focus group research has helped to identify what companion animal team members consider behaviors, attitudes, or situations that are prevalent in a toxic environment. While studies have shown that those who work in a toxic environment have higher burnout scores and lower job satisfaction, the good news is that there are ways to shift the culture and make the situation better. In this episode, we discuss solutions for some of the situations that lead to workplace toxicity, whether you are an e...
Studies demonstrate that team members working in a companion animal practice that is perceived to be toxic have higher burnout scores and lower job satisfaction. With the short-staffing issues and attrition we are experiencing in veterinary medicine right now, a toxic environment is not something anyone wants. The question remains, how do you know if your workplace is toxic? In today’s episode, we will discuss the features of a toxic environment so that you can identify whether your work...
How often do you look back at your life and think to yourself “If I had known then what I know now…”? In the context of mental health and wellbeing, this comes up often for me, in wishing that I had tools and strategies for burnout detection and management, as well as self-care and mental wellness early in my career. In today’s bonus episode, I am interviewed by Drs. Marci Kirk and Annie Chavent, cohosts of the My Veterinary Life podcast. We dive deep into my journey in veterinary medici...