[Veterinarian: a healthy profession?]

Abstract

Data of the insurance company Movir reveals that veterinarians are more often occupationally disabled compared to other occupations. The causes for this disability are: problems with the locomotion apparatus, accidents and psychological problems. Regarding the complaints of the locomotion apparatus is found that proportionally between 51 and 65 years there are more vets disabled. In absolute numbers the majority of the problems at Movir involves the farm animal vet. About the relative importance or indemnities of other insurance companies no statements can be made. The localisation of the affections are: lower back, knees, shoulders, neck and wrist/hand. Regarding the accidents is found that a lot of problems happen in the private situation, but that the high percentage of disability caused by accidents compared with other professions is probably caused by the profession related accidents. From the numbers of Movir comes forth that especially working with horses is dangerous, but there is no specific veterinarian skill very risky. Regarding the psychological problems comes forth that there are no differences between men and women. Proportionally from 46 years until 65 years there is a higher incidence of burnout then at younger ages. In absolute numbers more companion animal vets are burnout, but no statements can be made about the relative importance. There is no difference at Movir between the solopractice and the partnership regarding burnout. The professional circumstances playing a role in developing burnout are: a too high workload, problems with colleagues within the partnership, irregular shifts, organisation and management and financial management. The personal aspects of these veterinarians that play a role in burnout are: high expectations and demands, perfectionism and insecurity about the own abilities. In many of the files there were also problems within the private situation.