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Join Dr. Marie Holowaychuk, board-certified small animal emergency and critical care specialist, as she explores the world of mental health and wellbeing, as it relates to veterinary professionals.
45 Episodes
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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...
Surveys demonstrate that approximately 50% of veterinary team members have experienced sustained harassment in the workplace. Workplace bullying is a rarely discussed but incredibly important problem in veterinary medicine and something that veterinary leaders, practice managers, and team members must take steps to mitigate or prevent. In today’s episode, we review the definition of workplace bullying, who it impacts, what the consequences are, and how veterinary workplaces can prevent o...
Research reveals that veterinarians experience depression more often compared to the average person, and that burnout is affecting between one-third to one-half of veterinary team members. Because there is significant overlap between symptoms of depression and burnout, yet differences in how they are managed or treated, it is important to better understand them. In today’s episode, I explain the differences and similarities between depression and burnout, and where to go for help if you...
Veterinary team members, like all humans, are prone to making mistakes. This can be difficult to accept when the intention is to help, not harm, which can lead veterinary professionals to be self-critical when mistakes happen. Research demonstrates that veterinary students and healthcare providers who practice self-compassion are more resilient and able to bounce back from difficult situations.During this BONUS episode, you will be guided through a self-compassion meditation in the aftermath ...
Given the high rates of psychological distress and burnout in veterinary medicine, many veterinary team members are considering education and advocacy in the context of wellbeing. Questions asked regularly are “How can I become a wellbeing advocate?” and “How can I get my team members to take better care of themselves?”. These incredibly important questions are great launching points into a conversation about what it takes to educate and inspire others to foster their mental health and wellbe...
If you’re like most people, then you probably resolve to change a habit or establish a novel habit when the New Year rolls around. Statistically speaking, more than one-third of people set a New Year’s resolution. Yet > 80% of those resolutions will have failed by mid-February. The good news is that if you enjoy the idea of using the New Year as a clean slate for introducing healthy changes into your life, there are some different strategies that you can consider for successfull...
There is no doubt that perfectionism can wreak havoc on our mental health and wellbeing. In fact, research demonstrates that veterinarians who experience perfectionism are more susceptible to distress during triggering stressful events. Likewise, physicians with self-oriented perfectionism are more likely to experience symptoms of burnout in the form of emotional exhaustion. Because so many veterinary professionals self-identify as perfectionists, it is important to discuss perfectionism...
During the last several years, veterinary medicine has experienced an increase in demand for veterinary care, as well as an increase in attrition of team members and a shortage of available team members to fill those vacant spots. As such, most veterinary practices are routinely functioning with a staffing deficit while tending to a higher than usual caseload. These circumstances have led to burnout rates exceeding 50% among some veterinary team members. The benefits of utilizing te...
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