Breaking the Cycle: Tackling Veterinary Burnout Together

Written By Taylor Brownrigg
tired veterinarian experiencing burnout

There's no sugarcoating it: the veterinary profession, for all its incredible rewards, is facing a serious challenge. It’s a calling built on compassion and expertise, yet far too many dedicated professionals are grappling with burnout, mental fatigue, and a sense of overwhelm. At VetScribe, we try to truly understand the pressures you face, to help build a sustainable balance between vet and pet wellness.

The Weight of the World (and the Workload)

You pour your heart and soul into every patient, every diagnosis, every compassionate conversation with a worried pet parent. But the reality is, the relentless demands of the job can take a significant toll.

Studies reveal that over 50 percent of veterinarians report moderate to high levels of burnout. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), among the top reasons for burnout in veterinary medicine are factors like:

  • Unmanageable workloads

  • Unreasonable time pressures, and 

  • Increasing expectations from pet owners

It's not just about statistics and long hours; it's the sheer volume and intensity of what you're asked to do. It’s a lived experience that impacts your well-being, your personal life, and even the joy you find in your crucial work.

Technology: Your Quiet Work Bestie in the Fight Against Overload

So, how can we address this pervasive issue? While burnout is a complex challenge with many layers, and technology isn't a silver bullet, it can play a profoundly supportive role. Think of it as a reliable work bestie, quietly excelling at the tasks that contribute to your cognitive overload, helping you reclaim time for what truly matters.

Think about the hours spent on medical records:

  • Typing notes

  • Cross-referencing information

  • Ensuring every detail is perfectly captured for legal and medical accuracy

It’s vital work, but it’s incredibly time-consuming and mentally demanding. This administrative burden directly contributes to the "workload and time pressure" many vets are feeling.

But what if you could streamline this? Imagine transforming your spoken observations into comprehensive, accurate patient records in mere moments. Voice-to-text technology, specifically designed to understand complex veterinary terminology, can do exactly that.

Tools like VetScribe don't just speed up documentation; they significantly reduce your cognitive load. They free up precious minutes per appointment, which compounds into hours saved by day's end. While your notes are being captured precisely and effortlessly in the background, you can maintain focus on the patient and client during an exam. It’s about leveraging smart solutions to give you back control of your day, allowing you to leave the clinic on time or giving you space for that much-needed moment to breathe.

Making a Positive Impact, Together

Recognizing the importance of maintaining mental and physical well-being is crucial for the entire veterinary community. We believe that alleviating the administrative burdens that fuel burnout, and addressing the systemic pressures you face, is a collective effort. It requires open conversations about the challenges, and a willingness to embrace solutions that empower you.

As a community, we can foster change by:

  • Prioritizing well-being: Encouraging and advocating for mental health resources, sustainable work-life balance, and self-care practices within practices and educational institutions.

  • Embracing smart solutions: Exploring and adopting technologies and workflows that genuinely streamline operations, reducing unnecessary administrative load and freeing up time for patient care and personal life.

  • Fostering supportive environments: Cultivating a culture of empathy, understanding, and open communication where professionals feel safe to share struggles and seek support.

  • Advocating for systemic change: Supporting initiatives that address root causes of overwork and understaffing within the profession.

At VetScribe, our mission is built on the belief that a sustainable balance between vet and pet wellness is achievable when veterinary professionals everywhere can reclaim their time. We understand the difficulties of this industry, and we’re here to listen. You are the heartbeat of animal care, and your well-being matters immensely. Let’s work together to create a future where veterinarians can truly thrive, supported by broader industry efforts and innovative solutions that keep you focused on what you do best: caring for our animal companions.

Resources for Support

If you or a colleague are struggling, please know that help is available. Here are some resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org

AVMA Wellbeing Resources:

Discover AVMA resources and tools for getting help and building a culture of wellbeing in your workplace

Not One More Vet (NOMV): 

An empathetic and mission-driven support community focusing on peer support and suicide prevention

Project Sticker:

We're proud to partner with Project Sticker, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterinary professionals before they reach a mental health crisis

Taylor Brownrigg