A survey has found that 63.4 per cent of Australian veterinarians experience depression, anxiety, stress or burnout, compared with 35.7 per cent in the general population.

The survey sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, Norbrook, Apex Laboratories and Boehringer Ingleheim, was published in the Australian Veterinary Journal. It is the first Australian study to confirm anecdotal reports of high levels of workplace stress.

Lead author Peter Hatch, a veterinarian and counsellor, said contributing factors include client expectations, disappointing clinical outcomes, long hours, on-call duties and professional and social isolation.

“When I first graduated I thought veterinarians would all talk and have a joke with one another, but practices tend to isolate themselves from others,” he said. “Vets tend to say g’day to each other but that’s as far as it often goes – there is an incredible lack of support and community.” Continue reading Survey documents high levels of stress, burnout in Australian veterinarians