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Schofield I, Jacklin B. Client and employee engagement measures predict resignations of veterinary support staff: An analysis of UK companion animal practice data. Vet Rec 2024:e4268. [PMID: 38852995 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify factors associated with veterinary support staff resigning from UK companion animal veterinary practices. METHODS Cross-sectional employment data from support staff working across a group of veterinary practices on 31 December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. The support staff were categorised as those who remained at, or resigned from, their practice over the following 12-month period. The proposed risk factors for future resignations were analysed using multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. RESULTS In total, 398 of 2068 (19.2%) veterinary support staff resigned during the study period. Factors associated with greater odds of future resignations included lower staff engagement (employee net promoter score; odds ratio [OR] = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.00; p < 0.001), lower client practice engagement (net promoter score; OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97-1.00; p = 0.012), shorter tenure (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.90-0.95; p < 0.001), recent parental leave (OR = 2.37; 95% CI 1.38-4.07; p = 0.002) and younger age (OR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.98-1.00; p = 0.017). LIMITATIONS Data were collected retrospectively and were not recorded for research purposes. CONCLUSIONS Employee and client net promoter scores are important predictors of resignations and could be useful tools for managers. Recent parental leave is a predictor of support staff attrition, and 'return to work' interventions may present an opportunity to improve retention.
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Hernandez-Jover M, Davis E, Hayes L, Manyweathers J, Maru Y, Woodgate R. Contribution of the veterinary profession to the Australian animal health surveillance system and opportunities for future contributions. Prev Vet Med 2024; 226:106172. [PMID: 38479088 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Animal health surveillance is crucial for early detection of emergency animal diseases and effective responses. However, surveillance systems are complex and rely on the contributions of many animal health stakeholders. Veterinarians are key stakeholders in this system, given their role and skills in investigating, diagnosing, and reporting notifiable diseases. This study investigated the contribution of the veterinary workforce to the Australian animal health surveillance system and opportunities for future involvement. To achieve the aims of the study, an online cross-sectional survey among the veterinary profession was conducted. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to provide an overview and investigate drivers of attitudes and practices of veterinarians in relation to animal health surveillance. A total of 311 usable responses were obtained, with 191 being from veterinarians who worked in private practice in the previous 12 months. Among private practitioners, 58.6% worked with companion animals, 34.0% were mixed practice veterinarians and 7.3% were equine veterinarians. Over half (56.6%) of all participants considered themselves active participants in the local animal disease management system. The level of confidence in understanding the reporting system and knowing and identifying signs of endemic and exotic diseases was moderate among those working in private practice, with companion animal veterinarians reporting the lowest levels of confidence (p < 0.05). Approximately 40% of veterinarians had taken samples for diagnosis for notifiable diseases in the last year, with just over 20% reporting a notifiable disease. Awareness of and participation in training and surveillance programs for animal diseases by veterinarians was low, with those working in private practice having lower levels of both awareness and participation for most programs. In relation to potential future contribution to the surveillance system, over half of participants reported being interested and available to undertake surveillance work on behalf of the government, with those in mixed practice reporting higher levels of interest (69.6%) compared to those in companion (49.5%) and equine practice (30.8%). However, key challenges identified were related to perceived conflict of interest, and tensions between client needs and government agenda, followed by profitability and suitability of the business. This study provides evidence of a significant existing contribution by the veterinary profession to the surveillance system, and the capacity and willingness to increase this contribution. However, there are gaps in awareness, confidence and participation, as well as financial and veterinary-client relationship challenges that should be considered in any future planning to strengthen the Australian surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Hernandez-Jover
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia.
| | - Emma Davis
- Global Veterinary Solutions Pty. Ltd, Yass, NSW 2582, Australia
| | - Lynne Hayes
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
| | - Jennifer Manyweathers
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
| | - Yiheyis Maru
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Woodgate
- Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia; School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
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Paton MW, Kalemtzaki E, Stoewen D, Hameedunisha T, Yang H, Donlin J, Endenburg N. WSAVA professional wellness guidelines. J Small Anim Pract 2024; 65:153-175. [PMID: 38179606 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- M W Paton
- 31 Clipson Crescent, Mundaring, WA, 6073, Australia
| | | | - D Stoewen
- Independent Wellness Consultant, Ayr, ON, N0B 1E0, Canada
| | - T Hameedunisha
- Caspers Healing Paws, Neuro Rehabilitation Service, 3rd cross, HBR layout, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560054, India
| | - H Yang
- Unusual Pet Vets, Osborne Park, WA, 6017, Australia
| | - J Donlin
- 1931 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL, 60173, USA
| | - N Endenburg
- One Welfare Group, Section Animals in Science and Society, and Animal Behaviour Clinic, Department Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Higham LE, Halfacree ZJ, Stonehewer J, Black DH, Ravetz G, Moran D, Boden L, Oxtoby C. Sustainability policies and practices at veterinary centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Vet Rec 2023; 193:e2998. [PMID: 37227247 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Veterinary professionals operate at the human-animal-environment interface and are concerned about sustainability issues. This study examined the extent to which sustainability is represented in policy and enacted in veterinary practice settings, as reported by practice representatives. METHODS An online survey was completed by 392 veterinary centre representatives in the UK and Republic of Ireland to identify existing policies and practices around the environmental impacts of veterinary services and animal husbandry, responsible medicine use, animal welfare and social wellbeing. RESULTS A minority of respondents were aware of an environmental policy at their practice (17%, 68/392). Many others were undertaking waste reduction initiatives, but wider environmental interventions were infrequently reported. The majority were aware of medicine stewardship and animal welfare policies or guidelines, but a minority reported social wellbeing policies (40%, 117/289) and the provision of advice to clients on the environmental impacts of animal husbandry (31%, 92/300). LIMITATIONS The bias arising from the small convenience sample of practice representatives and potential discrepancies between the claims of survey respondents and their practices' policies and activities are acknowledged. CONCLUSION Results depict a value-action gap between the concern of veterinary professionals towards sustainability and the policies and practices at their workplaces. Building on progress in the sector, wider adoption of comprehensive policies and practices, with guidance, could enhance veterinary contributions to the sustainability agenda, in particular to mitigate the environmental externalities of veterinary services and animal care and ensure safe, fair and inclusive workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Higham
- Vet Sustain, Carlisle, UK
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
| | | | | | - David H Black
- Vet Sustain, Carlisle, UK
- The Veterinary Defence Society, Knutsford, UK
| | - Gudrun Ravetz
- Vet Sustain, Carlisle, UK
- The Veterinary Defence Society, Knutsford, UK
| | - Dominic Moran
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
| | - Lisa Boden
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, UK
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Schofield I, Jacklin BD. Identifying factors associated with UK veterinary nurse resignations through examination of veterinary practice data. Vet Rec 2023; 193:e3165. [PMID: 37349958 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify demographic, practice and job-specific factors that are associated with veterinary nurses resigning from UK companion animal veterinary practices. METHODS Employment data from nurses working across a group of practices at the end of 2020 were included. Nurses were categorised into those who remained at, or resigned from, their practice in 2021. Proposed risk factors for future resignations were analysed using multivariable binary logistic regression modelling. RESULTS In total, 278 of 1642 (16.9%) nurses across 418 practices resigned in 2021. The most frequently recorded reasons for nurses resigning included 'career progression' (n = 102; 36.7%), 'personal reasons' (n = 36; 12.9%) and 'better pay or benefits' (n = 33; 11.9%). Factors associated with lower odds of future nurse resignations included longer tenure (p < 0.001), higher practice property and facilities rating (p = 0.049) and being a head or student nurse (p = 0.008). LIMITATIONS Data were collected retrospectively and were not recorded for research purposes. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights key factors that are predictive of veterinary nurse resignations. With known difficulties in staff retention within veterinary practices, analysis of these data is an important addition to the evidence base surrounding the complex issue of nurse retention and could help steer future retention strategies.
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Abuelo A, Mann S. Development of a bovine continuing education program for early-career veterinarians to address clinical service shortage. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:3043-3050. [PMID: 36823001 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
There is currently a shortage of production animal veterinarians worldwide. Access to adequate continuing education (CE) increases retention of health-care workers in rural areas. However, little information is available about the preferences of bovine veterinarians in their first years after graduation. Our objective was to design a readily available CE program tailored for recent veterinary graduates working in bovine medicine. For this, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to identify early-career bovine veterinarian needs and their preferences to access CE conducted while practicing full time. Subsequently, we conducted a second survey to triangulate their responses with the opinions of experienced veterinarians, where the experienced veterinarians ranked the relevance of the CE topics that resulted from the early-career veterinarian survey. We received a total of 132 valid responses from US veterinarians in their first 5 years after graduation, and 32 responses associated with bovine veterinarians with 10 or more years of experience. Our results showed that a combination of distance education and workshops to practice hands-on skills was the preferred method for accessing CE among early-career veterinarians. Furthermore, recent graduates were willing to commit 1 to 2 h/wk to distance education. From the list of 20 topics identified by early-career veterinarians, the experienced veterinarians ranked "calf/heifer management" and "immunology and vaccinology" as the most relevant ones for practice. With the information gathered from these surveys, we designed, implemented, and piloted a 180-h CE program on bovine health management that is delivered over 2 yr through asynchronous distance education and annual hands-on workshops. Participant feedback has been very positive. Overall, the survey results will serve to develop CE programs targeted to bovine veterinarians in their first years of practice. Future research is needed to evaluate this program's success in retaining the bovine veterinary workforce within the United States, particularly in rural underserved areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Abuelo
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
| | - Sabine Mann
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850
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Ouedraogo FB, Lefebvre SL. Benefits of practice ownership among US private practice veterinarians extend to professional quality of life. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:1971-1978. [PMID: 35921399 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.05.0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective To estimate the effects of practice ownership on wellbeing of US private practice veterinarians. Sample 1,217 practice owners and 1,414 associate veterinarians (ie, nonowners) who participated in the 2021 AVMA Census of Veterinarians and Practice Owners Survey. Procedures A professional quality of life instrument was used to measure compassion satisfaction (CS; a positive attribute), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in practice owners and nonowners both as scores and as score categories (low, moderate, and high CS, BO, and STS). For hypothesis tests, propensity score matching was used, with owners (n = 595) matched to nonowners (595) on several demographic and employment factors. Results Owners had significantly (P < .001) higher CS scores (mean ± SE, 34.1 ± 0.3) and lower BO scores (26.1 ± 0.3) than nonowners (32.8 ± 0.3 and 26.9 ± 0.3, respectively), but STS scores were comparable between groups (27.4 ± 0.3 and 27.5 ± 0.3; P = .55). The prevalence of low CS scores and high BO scores was significantly (P < .001) higher for nonowners versus owners (53.8% vs 42.7% and 51.6% vs 46.4%, respectively). Both owners and nonowners had a high prevalence of high STS scores (81.8% and 83.2%, respectively; P = .53). Clinical Relevance Results suggested that practice ownership confers a benefit to private practice veterinarians in terms of CS and BO, but not STS. The prevalence of poor CS, BO, and STS scores was higher than reported previously for 2016 to 2018, suggesting an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The high prevalence of high STS scores in both groups warrants attention and action to protect the welfare of the veterinary workforce and support optimal patient care.
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