Resource Tag: VETERINARIANS

Objective: Veterinarians die by suicide at elevated rates. Higher levels of capability for suicide among veterinarians, including access to lethal medications, may account for this discrepancy. This study aimed to determine the importance of accessibility of lethal medications in veterinary workplaces in the relationship between recent suicidal ideation and perceived likelihood of making a future suicide […]

The professional quality of life (ProQOL) in the veterinary profession has gained increasing attention, yet little is known about its association with the mental health status of Hong Kong veterinarians. This study aimed to examine the impact of elements that make up ProQOL on the risk of suicide, depression, and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians. […]

Veterinarians are commonly exposed to occupational stressors, including excessive workload and financial constraints. These stressors can lead to psychological distress, which typically results in mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and burnout and can even culminate in suicide attempts or suicide deaths. Risk factors associated with poor mental health and high rates of suicide […]

Some evidence puts health professionals at increased risk of suicide, especially females, whereas other research suggests a lower risk in high-skilled occupations. This study investigated the suicide risk of four health professions (physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists) and three other high-skilled occupations (notaries, lawyers, tax advisors/public accountants) in Austria compared to the general population, and analyzed […]

Background: Suicide rates are elevated in the veterinary profession in several countries, yet little is known about possible contributory and preventive factors. Aims: To obtain information from veterinarians with  a history of suicidal ideation or behavior about the factors associated with suicidality in their profession. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods interview study with 21 UK […]

The Suicide Prevention Resource Guide for Veterinary Settings outlines societal, community, relationship, and individual approaches, and can steer veterinary professionals and groups in developing a comprehensive suicide prevention plan. The guide provides information about suicide risk and protective factors, warning signs, and what organizations and individuals can do to help prevent suicide. It reflects learnings from suicide […]

Background: The elevated risk of suicide in veterinarians is still not well understood, but euthanasia distress and increased fearlessness about death (FAD) have been discussed as specific risk factors. Aims: We investigated German veterinarians to test whether FAD is increased compared with the general population, whether FAD is associated with euthanasia distress, and whether there are differences between […]

Objectives: Several studies have shown increased suicide rates among veterinarians. We investigated the self-reported prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours and contributing and independent factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours among veterinarians in Norway. Design: Cross-sectional, nationwide survey. Participants: 2596 veterinarians in Norway (response rate: 75%). Main outcome measure: Paykel’s five-item questionnaire. Results: In total, 27% (n=682/2567) of veterinarians […]

After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces provides guidance and tools for postvention, a term used to describe activities that help people cope with the emotional distress resulting from a suicide and prevent additional trauma and any potential for suicide contagion that could lead to further suicidal behavior and deaths, especially among people who […]

OBJECTIVE To analyze data for death of veterinary professionals and veterinary students, with manner of death characterized as suicide or undetermined intent from 2003 through 2014. SAMPLE Death records for 202 veterinary professionals and veterinary students. PROCEDURES Decedents employed as veterinarians, veterinary technicians or technologists, or veterinary assistants or laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary students […]

In the first broad-based study of mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary profession, the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study,1 conducted in 2017, revealed that the prevalence of serious psychological distress among working US veterinarians was consistent with the prevalence in the general US population of employed adults. This study also showed that, on average, […]

There has been growing concern, fueled in part by recent studies,1 about mental distress and suicide among veterinarians, along with numerous reports of compassion fatigue, burnout, and other forms of job stress.2 In response, many professional organizations, including the AVMA, have launched initiatives to address mental health and wellness. Still, questions remain as to how serious a […]

Background Higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide risk have been reported for veterinarians in various studies worldwide. This study investigates whether this is also true for German veterinarians. Methods A total of 3.118 veterinarians (78.8 per cent female, mean age 41.3 years) between 22 and 69 years were included and compared with two general population […]

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of perceived stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, resilience, and suicidal ideation among Canadian veterinarians and compare results with those for other populations. SAMPLE 1,403 veterinarians across Canada. PROCEDURES The study represented a cross-sectional online survey. The questionnaire incorporated validated psychometric instruments to measure perceived stress, burnout, depression, […]

OBJECTIVE To assess proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) for suicide among male and female US veterinarians from 1979 through 2015. DESIGN PMR study. SAMPLE Death records for 11,620 veterinarians. PROCEDURES Information for veterinarians who died during 1979 through 2015 was obtained from AVMA obituary and life insurance databases and submitted to a centralized database of US death records to obtain […]

Barriers to occupational mobility were investigated to determine whether they increased reported suicide-related cognitions and behavior over 12 months. This was explored in a two-wave longitudinal study. Intention to leave, depression, perceived skill transferability, and suicide-related cognitions and behavior was measured at both time points approximately 12 months apart. Results indicated that when there was a high […]

Highlights • Risk for suicide is elevated in physicians and veterinarians. Job stress, personality, access to means, and work experiences are risk factors. The IPTS has garnered support in explaining physician and veterinarian suicide. Continued barriers may prevent physicians and veterinarians from seeking therapy.

Objective, To evaluate the prevalence of suicide risk factors, attitudes toward mental illness, and practice-related stressors among US veterinarians. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance, In this survey, approximately 1 in 11 veterinarians had serious psychological distress and 1 in 6 experienced suicidal ideation since leaving veterinary school. Implementing measures to help veterinarians cope with practice-related stressors […]

A high suicide risk has been reported among veterinarians in comparison to the general population. Postulated causes have included depression, substance abuse, work-related stress, reluctance to admit psychiatric problems, and access to lethal drugs and/or familiarity with euthanasia. It is of concern that veterinarians not only have a higher risk of suicide but that they […]

Journal held in CSP Library.

Purpose Rates of suicide are elevated among veterinary surgeons in several countries, yet little is known about contributory factors. We have conducted a systematic review of studies investigating suicidal behaviour and psychosocial problems in veterinary surgeons. Methods A systematic search of the international research literature was performed in May 2008. Data from 52 studies of […]