Understanding Psychosocial Risks in the Veterinary Workplace: A Path to a Healthier Work Environment | Written by Phil Vidins, Vet Tech at Animal Emergency Service, Underwood
At Animal Emergency Australia (AEA), we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care for pets while fostering a supportive and resilient work environment for our dedicated teams. However, as with any high-pressure, high-stakes profession, there are challenges that extend beyond the physical demands of the job. The psychosocial risks faced by veterinary professionals, such as stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue, can significantly impact both individual wellbeing and workplace dynamics.
In our previous post on the importance of mental health in the veterinary industry, we touched on the need for proactive strategies to support our people. This blog dives deeper into understanding and addressing psychosocial risks in the verer, an essential step toward creating a healthier, more sustainable work environment at AEA. By recognising these risks and mitigating their impact, we can ensure that our team continues to thrive both personally and professionally.
What Are Psychosocial Risks?
Psychosocial risks refer to the potential for psychological harm resulting from the way work is organised, the social context of work, and the interactions between employees. Unlike physical hazards, psychosocial risks are less visible but can be just as detrimental. They encompass a range of factors, including work-related stress, job demands, lack of control, inadequate support, and poor work-life balance.
Common Psychosocial Risks in Veterinary Workplaces
1. High Job Demands:
Veterinary professionals often face heavy workloads, long hours, and the emotional toll of dealing with sick or injured animals. The pressure to perform at a high level, often in life-and-death situations, can lead to chronic stress and exhaustion. This is exacerbated by the fact that many veterinary professionals are “perfectionists” which puts additional strain on themselves.
2. Lack of Control:
Many veterinary professionals feel they have little control over their work environment or decision-making processes. This lack of autonomy can lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration, further contributing to stress. A very common example of this is not having control over the treatment protocols they administer, often due to the owner’s financial situation.
3. Poor Work-Life Balance:
The demanding nature of veterinary work often spills over into personal time, making it difficult for professionals to achieve a healthy work-life balance. The constant demands can lead to burnout, affecting both personal and professional life.
4. Emotional Strain:
Dealing with euthanasia, animal suffering, and grieving pet owners can take an emotional toll on veterinary professionals. The emotional demands of the job can lead to compassion fatigue, a specific type of burnout characterised by emotional exhaustion and a reduced capacity for empathy. Unfortunately, veterinary teaching institutions do not prepare graduates with the skills to appropriately deal with the emotional side of “vetting”.
5. Inadequate Support:
A lack of social support within the workplace, whether from management or colleagues, can exacerbate feelings of isolation and stress. Without a supportive network, individuals may struggle to cope with the challenges of their job.
6. Workplace Incivility:
Conflict with colleagues, clients, or management can create a hostile work environment, leading to increased stress and a decrease in job satisfaction. In extreme cases, bullying or harassment can have severe psychological impacts.
The Impact of Psychosocial Risks
Psychosocial risks can have far-reaching consequences for individuals and the workplace. For individuals, these risks can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and burnout. There are also strong links between psychosocial risks impacting physical health including hypertension, heart disease, decreased wound-healing, musculoskeletal disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, and impaired immuno-competence. Over time, these can result in reduced job satisfaction, absenteeism, and even attrition from the profession.
For the workplace, unaddressed psychosocial risks can lead to decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and a negative work culture. The financial and human costs associated with these risks are significant, underscoring the need for proactive management.
Mitigating and Reducing Psychosocial Risks in the Veterinary Workplace
- Conduct a Comprehensive Psychosocial Risk Assessment:
- Approach psychosocial risks as you would any other workplace risks.
- Work as a team and compile a list of psychosocial risks, ask the different departments what the biggest challenges are they face and what brings them the most stress.
Identify ways to eliminate or minimise these from the workflow. Eg. one study found that clinicians performing more than five euthanasias per week are significantly more likely to experience suicidal ideation. By keeping a log on the number of euthanasias and restricting clinicians from performing five or more euthanasias, we can reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.
Promote a Positive Work Environment:
Build workflows that encourage collaboration between departments. Siloing work between departments creates division and an ”us versus them” mentality. Cultivating a supportive and inclusive work culture is crucial. Encouraging open communication, providing regular feedback, and recognising employees’ contributions can help create a positive atmosphere. Encouraging and supporting workers’ endeavors and achievements outside of work will demonstrate that they are valued as human beings not just as workers.
Implement Workload Management Strategies:
Ensuring that workloads are reasonable, and that staff have the resources they need can help reduce stress. Regularly assessing and adjusting workloads can prevent burnout. Understand that work is not a “one size fits all” and there should be individual approaches to managing workload, capacity, and availability.
Provide Access to Mental Health Resources:
Offering access to mental health services, such as counselling or employee assistance programs (EAPs), can provide essential support for staff dealing with stress or emotional strain.
Encourage Work-Life Balance:
Promoting flexible work arrangements and respecting personal time can help employees achieve a healthier balance between work and life. Encouraging staff to take breaks and use their vacation time is also important.
Offer Training in Stress and Conflict Management
Providing training on stress management, communication, and conflict resolution can equip employees with the tools they need to manage psychosocial risks effectively.
Conclusion
Psychosocial risks in the veterinary workplace are serious yet often overlooked. By understanding these risks and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, veterinary practices can create a healthier, more supportive environment for their staff. Prioritising mental health and work-life balance leads to happier, more engaged employees—and, a more sustainable and productive workplace. It’s time to put mental health at the forefront of the veterinary profession.
