A veterinary charity has launched a new guide designed to help staff and leaders in the profession address issues like burnout, moral injury, and compassion fatigue.
The 32-page document, created by Vetlife, was revealed at the VMG Congress in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 24. It is available in both printed and digital formats on the charity’s website. The goal is to equip veterinary professionals with the tools they need to support colleagues facing mental health challenges.
Kirstie Pickles, a trustee of Vetlife, emphasized the profound impact these issues have on those in the veterinary field. “By increasing understanding and offering practical tools for support, we hope to help create healthier, more compassionate workplaces,” she said.
Addressing Key Challenges
The guide, developed by a nine-member working group, offers definitions of burnout, moral injury, and compassion fatigue. It also provides guidance on how to identify and address these challenges in the workplace.
The project received funding from the Cencora Impact Foundation, a charity affiliated with an American pharmaceutical company. Gabe Weissman, president of the foundation, expressed his support for the initiative, saying, “We are proud to support Vetlife in tackling the mental health challenges within the veterinary profession.”
A Focus on Leadership
The guide’s contents were presented at the congress by Tanya Crawley, a member of the working group. She stressed the importance of leadership in creating a supportive workplace culture. Crawley called on leaders to encourage staff to take necessary breaks, noting, “We need to stop being the first in and the last out of the door.”
During the session, BSAVA president Julian Hoad raised concerns about whether practice teams could challenge unreasonable working conditions. One delegate suggested that the sector also needs to reassess the role of regulation in addressing these issues. She pointed out that while 24/7 care is essential, the burden shouldn’t fall solely on veterinary professionals’ shoulders.
The new guide aims to bring attention to these crucial issues and provide veterinary staff with much-needed support in a demanding profession.
Related topics:
