Don't ignore the tough questions: A qualitative investigation into occupational stressors impacting veterinarians' mental health.

OBJECTIVE

To explore Canadian clinical veterinarians' perspectives of occupational stressors. Although extant research has emphasized quantitative reporting of workplace stressors in veterinary medicine, a qualitative approach can lend depth and context.

PROCEDURE

One-on-one interviews were conducted with 25 veterinarians at the 2016 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Conference.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis revealed 9 occupational stressor themes: nature of the profession, veterinary relationships, client interactions, inadequate personal finances, early-career veterinarian strain, practice-owner strain, onus of responsibility, self-described personal characteristics, and moral stressors and moral distress. Participants also discussed perceived implications of these stressors.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to knowledge on veterinarians' mental health and discusses recommendations for mitigating occupational stressors to promote veterinarian well-being.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Understanding the occupational stressors that clinical veterinarians experience and the effects of these occupational stressors can lead to more targeted and comprehensive strategies to support veterinarians' mental well-being in a clinical setting.