Veterinarian-Chasing A Dream Job? A Comparative Survey on Wellbeing and Stress Levels among European Veterinarians between 2018 and 2023

Abstract

Whilst recognizing the abundantly positive aspects within the different domains of the veterinary profession, the challenging socio-economic and cultural working climate has been identified as a source of veterinary mental wellbeing issues. This mixed methods study provides an overview of the mental state of veterinarians across Europe via two cross-sectional surveys in 2018/2019 (n = 14,559 veterinarians) and in 2022/2023 (n = 12,393 veterinarians). Mental wellbeing was assessed using 3 indicators: self-reported stress levels, the need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing (22% and 23%, resp., in 2018/2019 and 2022/2023) and the seven-question Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (2018/2019: 25, 2022/2023: 24.8). In both surveys, important differences were spotlighted between countries, but early-career veterinarians and female veterinarians were most at risk of decreased mental wellbeing all over Europe for all indicators. In conclusion, stress levels and need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing remained at comparatively high levels across the two surveys and standardized mental wellbeing scores remained equally low. Notwithstanding the increased attention given to veterinary wellbeing in the last decade, our results underline that major efforts remain necessary, by creating more supportive and attractive workplaces that prioritize wellbeing, a good work/life balance, and providing job satisfaction.

Keywords: WEMWBS; burnout; mental health; stress; veterinary; wellbeing.

Figure 1

Heatmap showing veterinary self-reported stress levels at work by country. The darker the orange color is, the higher the stress level in the country is. (Panel A): years 2018/2019 (range: min. 0 to max. 10), (Panel B): years 2022/2023 (range: min. 1 to max. 4).

Figure 2

Average veterinary self-reported stress levels at work by age categories on the y-axis, first x-axis: years 2018/2019 (range: min. 0 to max. 10), secondary x-axis: years 2022/2023 (range: min. 1 to max. 4).

Figure 3

Percentages of veterinarians who took medical leave due to burnout, exhaustion, compassion fatigue, or depression of more than 14 days in the last three years by gender, age, and country.

Figure 4

Sum of response frequencies (‘none of the time’, ‘rarely’, ‘some of the time’, ‘often’, ‘all of the time’) (bars) and percentages (x-axis) of the seven WEMWBS items in descending order of best scored questions. (Panel A): years 2018/2019, (Panel B): years 2022/2023.

Figure 5

Heatmap of the sum of WEMWB scores per country showing visually the countries with a higher overall WEMWBS score (more positive experiences, thoughts, and feelings) in shades of green and those with lower WEMWB scores in shades of red. (2018/2019: max. 26.80 (green), min. 23.54 (red). 2022/2023: max. 26.80 (green), min. 23.70 (red).