Burnout in the veterinary profession is a growing concern, driven by long hours, emotional stress and heavy workloads. These pressures are taking a toll on vets and their staff, leading to exhaustion and reduced job satisfaction. While the demands of veterinary care are inevitable, there are effective strategies to mitigate burnout and enhance work–life balance, helping to preserve the well-being of those dedicated to caring for our animals.
Understanding Burnout in Veterinary Practices
Burnout is a significant issue in the veterinary profession, affecting a large portion of the workforce. Over 50% of veterinarians report moderate to high levels of burnout, making it a widespread concern. It’s not just vets who are impacted; vet nurses also face high levels of stress and moral distress. A 2021 study by the British Veterinary Association revealed that 74% of vets are very concerned about burnout in the profession, with 67% specifically worried about burnout among their direct colleagues. This underscores the urgent need to address burnout across all levels of veterinary practice.
Symptoms of Burnout:
Burnout manifests in several ways, with common symptoms including physical and emotional exhaustion, where individuals feel drained and unable to cope with the demands of their job. Vets and their staff may experience decreased job satisfaction, losing the passion that initially drew them to the profession. Feelings of cynicism or detachment from their work and patients are also prevalent, leading to a sense of hopelessness and reduced empathy. These symptoms not only affect the individual’s well-being but can also ripple through the entire practice, impacting overall morale and patient care.
Consequences of Burnout:
The consequences of burnout in veterinary practices are profound and far-reaching. On an individual level, burnout can lead to reduced productivity, higher turnover rates, and a decline in the quality of care provided to patients. Emotional exhaustion often results in strained customer relations, as burnt-out staff struggle to maintain empathy and patience with clients. Moreover, burnout increases the risk of mistakes in patient care, as attention to detail wanes. The sector already suffers from higher-than-average suicide rates, and burnout exacerbates this risk, making it a critical issue that needs addressing to protect the mental health of veterinary professionals.
Specific Challenges:
Veterinary practices face several unique challenges that contribute to burnout. Handling calls during non-working hours adds significant stress, as it interrupts personal time and prevents proper rest. Dealing with difficult clients, particularly those who are unable to pay for treatment and face tough decisions like euthanasia, adds emotional strain to an already demanding job. Public perceptions of veterinary work, often shaped by idealised TV shows like “All Creatures Great and Small”, do not reflect reality. Vets in small practices frequently see back-to-back patients with only about 15 minutes per animal, working 10-hour days under constant pressure to provide high-quality care, all of which contribute to the growing problem of burnout.
How Telephone Answering Services Can Help
A telephone answering service manages incoming calls for businesses, ensuring that no inquiry goes unanswered. Kernow Vets Messaging specializes in veterinary call support, understanding the unique demands of the profession and tailoring their services to meet the specific needs of veterinary practices.
Alleviating Pressure with Kernow Vets Messaging
Kernow Vets Messaging alleviates the pressure on vets by handling routine and after-hours calls, allowing veterinary professionals to focus on their primary duties without constant interruptions. By managing these calls, Kernow ensures that vets can maintain their focus during consultations and procedures, improving patient care and reducing stress.
What our vets say:
“Gives me the peace of mind to sleep knowing if I did sleep through the phone, you would eventually call someone else.”
After-Hours Support
Having after-hours support through Kernow Vets Messaging is crucial for reducing burnout. It ensures that vets can rest and recharge without the worry of missing critical calls. By taking over during non-working hours, Kernow allows vets to disconnect, which is essential for maintaining mental and physical health, ultimately reducing the risk of burnout.
What our vets say:
“It is a massive help for us during the night to have someone else gather the clients’ details. This gives us time to wake up before we have to speak to the client and provide advice to them. It also really helps when we are busy dealing with other emergencies that someone is taking the clients’ details.”
Call Filtering
Kernow Vets Messaging’s ability to filter calls is a significant asset for veterinary practices. By working closely with each practice to develop detailed escalation processes, Kernow ensures that non-urgent inquiries are handled appropriately, allowing vets to prioritise their workload effectively. In cases where the primary on-call vet is unavailable, Kernow’s robust systems ensure that emergency calls are still directed to the appropriate person, guaranteeing that no critical situation is overlooked and reducing the burden on veterinary staff.
Prioritising Well-Being in Veterinary Practices
Using a professional answering service like Kernow Vets Messaging can significantly reduce burnout in veterinary practices by managing the time-consuming and stressful task of call handling. This allows vets to focus on their core responsibilities and enjoy better work–life balance, ultimately enhancing patient care.
Veterinary practices should consider outsourcing their call handling to Kernow Vets Messaging as a proactive step to reduce burnout and improve the overall well-being of their staff, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable work environment.