Australian veterinarians who work with horses: an analysis.
Abstract: To define and describe the population of Australian veterinarians who work with horses. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 866 veterinarians who had been identified as working with horses, and 87% were completed and returned. Data were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed using the SAS System for Windows. Results: About 12% of Australia's veterinarians were doing all the veterinary work with horses, and about 3% worked exclusively (> 90%) with horses, but did more than half (58%) of the horse work. Veterinarians working with horses included more males (80%) than the veterinary population as a whole (approximately 60%). Males had an average age of 47 years, females 35. Almost all (94%) worked in private practice, with 31% being employees, 28% partners and 41% sole owners. Females were more likely to be employees than males. Males reported working 55 hours/week; females 49. More females (44%) than males (16%) had worked less than full-time for more than a year. Males expected to work for another 12 years in full-time equivalents, and females for 16. One quarter (24%) saw only horses, but treated 58% of total horse cases. One-half had < 25% horses, and 29% had 60) than younger respondents (27% of those < 40) had grown up on farms with animals. One-quarter (24%) decided to become a veterinarian while in primary school, and females decided at a younger age than males. Overall, younger respondents decided at a younger age than did their older counterparts. A veterinarian contributed to the decision for 21% of these veterinarians. Conclusions: In this survey, Australian veterinarians who work with horses were found to be typically male, and advanced in their careers. As these older veterinarians retire, there may not be enough veterinarians who are committed to and competent with horses to take their places.
Publication Date: 2004-07-23 PubMed ID: 15267092DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2004.tb11099.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study presents an analysis of Australian veterinarians who work with horses. It found out that this group is mostly male and the average age of the male veterinarians is higher than that of their female counterparts. It also pointed out that as the older veterinarians retire, there may not be enough veterinarians willing and trained to work with horses.
Survey and Methodology
- The data for this study was collected from questionnaires mailed to 866 identified veterinarians who work with horses. An impressive response rate of 87% was achieved.
- Responses were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using the SAS System for Windows.
Distribution and Demographics
- The study revealed that only approximately 12% of Australia’s veterinarians were doing all the veterinary work with horses and about 3% worked exclusively (>90%) with horses, but they contributed 58% of the total horse workload.
- Among veterinarians working with horses, more were males at approximately 80%, compared to the overall veterinary industry where about 60% are males.
- On average, male veterinarians were older than their female counterparts, with an average age of 47 years for males and 35 years for females.
- About 94% of these veterinarians worked in private practice, with 41% being sole owners, 28% partners, and 31% employees.
Work Hours and Career Duration
- Male veterinarians reported working 55 hours a week while females reported 49 hours a week.
- More females (44%) than males (16%) had worked less than full-time for more than a year.
- Males on average expected to work 12 more years while females expected to work for 16 more years.
Sector of Specialization and Decision Influence
- Only 24% of surveyed veterinarians saw only horses, yet dealt with 58% of total horse cases.
- More of the older (54%) than younger respondents (27%) had grown up on farms with animals and 24% had decided to become a veterinarian while in primary school.
- The decision to become a veterinarian by this cohort had been influenced by a veterinarian in 21% of the cases.
Implications
- The conclusion drawn by the researchers is that the majority of Australian veterinarians who work with horses are typically male and advanced in their careers.
- There is a concern that as these older veterinarians retire, there may not be enough veterinarians who are committed to and competent with horses to take their places.
Cite This Article
APA
Heath TJ.
(2004).
Australian veterinarians who work with horses: an analysis.
Aust Vet J, 82(6), 340-345.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2004.tb11099.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- t.heath@uq.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Animals
- Australia / epidemiology
- Career Mobility
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Veterinarians / statistics & numerical data
- Workload
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mendez D, Buttner P, Speare R. Hendra virus in Queensland, Australia, during the winter of 2011: veterinarians on the path to better management strategies.. Prev Vet Med 2014 Nov 1;117(1):40-51.
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