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Home / Equine Research Bank / Ir Vet J / Factors affecting retention of veterinary practitioners in I...
Irish veterinary journal2022; 75(1); 13; doi: 10.1186/s13620-022-00222-9

Factors affecting retention of veterinary practitioners in Ireland: a cross-sectional study with a focus on clinical practice.

Abstract: Retention of veterinary practitioners has arisen as a significant problem in recent years in Ireland. No prior Irish peer-reviewed publications have addressed this problem. An online questionnaire was available through social media and via email to Irish vets from January to November 2019. The aim of this survey was to ascertain the factors contributing to the problem of vet retention in Ireland. Results: A total of 370 eligible responses were received. The median age of respondents was 31 and the gender balance was 250 females (68%) to 118 males (32%). The majority of respondents worked in clinical practice 322 (89%), with 138 (42.8%) in mixed practice, 115 (35.7%) in small animal practice, 49 (15.2%) solely with farm animals and 20 (6.2%) in equine practice. Fifty-four percent of respondents described themselves as likely to be leaving their current job within two years and 32.8% as being likely to leave the profession. In total, 44 variables were assessed by univariate analysis and 27 variables were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the likelihood of a respondent leaving their current job within 2 years (LCJ2), as a proxy measure of the problem of retention. All variables significant on univariate analysis at P < 0.2 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Factors associated with LCJ2 included satisfaction with work-life balance (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.33); satisfaction with working hours (OR 0.2); number of years qualified (OR 0.91); position as a practice owner/partner/director (OR 0.15); and logsalary (OR 0.03). Four variables were retained in a separate multivariable linear regression model as significant (P < 0.05) predictors of logsalary. Logsalary increased with years qualified. Males had an increased salary compared to females irrespective of years qualified. Part-time employees, vets on maternity leave or postgraduate vets had a lower logsalary. Compared to veterinary employees, self-employed or locum vets had a higher logsalary. Conclusions: Veterinary employers should consider salary, working hours and the facilitation of a good work-life balance in order to successfully retain veterinary employees. The significant difference in salaries currently offered to male and female vets, and the high percentage of respondents considering leaving the profession, are important findings and warrant further investigation.
© 2022. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-06-07 PubMed ID: 35668510PubMed Central: PMC9172024DOI: 10.1186/s13620-022-00222-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the factors leading to the high turnover of veterinary practitioners in Ireland. The study, conducted through an online survey, examines various work-related variables and their impact on veterinarians’ intent to leave their current jobs or the profession entirely.

Methodology

  • The authors conducted a cross-sectional anonymous online survey targeted at Irish veterinarians. The survey was disseminated through social media and email between January and November 2019.
  • The aim of the survey was to identify the factors that contribute to the high attrition rate among veterinary practitioners in Ireland.
  • In total, 370 eligible responses were received. The sample included a diverse group of practitioners with varying gender, age, years of professional experience, and the field of practice.

Results

  • The results showed that more than half (54%) of the surveyed veterinarians identified as likely to leave their current job within the next two years and nearly a third (32.8%) voiced the likelihood of quitting the profession.
  • The study looked at 44 variables that could potentially impact the likelihood of a respondent leaving their current job within 2 years (LCJ2), which is considered a major problem in the retention of veterinary practitioners.
  • Using statistical analysis (univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression model), the study identified several variables that were significantly associated with the probability of a practitioner planning to leave within the next two years.
  • These factors included satisfaction with work-life balance (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.33); satisfaction with working hours (OR 0.2); number of years qualified (OR 0.91); position as a practice owner/partner/director (OR 0.15); and logsalary (OR 0.03).
  • Additionally, a separate regression model pointed out predictors that could affect the salary of the veterinarians. This included years qualified, gender, part-time or full-time status, maternity leave, postgraduate studies, self-employment or locum.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that to retain veterinary employees successfully, employers should consider factors such as salary, working hours, and the facilitation of an appealing work-life balance.
  • The authors pointed out the significant salary difference between male and female vets and the high percentage of respondents considering leaving the profession as areas of concern that warrant further research and action.

Cite This Article

APA
Ryan EG, Beatty SH, Gray E, Field N, Liston R, Rhodes V, Donlon J. (2022). Factors affecting retention of veterinary practitioners in Ireland: a cross-sectional study with a focus on clinical practice. Ir Vet J, 75(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-022-00222-9

Publication

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 2046-0481
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 1
Pages: 13
PII: 13

Researcher Affiliations

Ryan, Eoin G
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland. eoin.g.ryan@ucd.ie.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. eoin.g.ryan@ucd.ie.
Beatty, Stephen H
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
Gray, Elizabeth
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
Field, Niamh
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
  • Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Liston, Rory
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
Rhodes, Victoria
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Donlon, John
  • Progressive Veterinary Network (PVN), Dublin, Ireland.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. McDermott P, McKevitt A, Santos FH, Hanlon A. Management of acutely injured cattle by on farm emergency slaughter: Survey of veterinarian views. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:976595.
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  2. Máté M, Schwarz ES, Ózsvári L. Differences in income, workload, and job satisfaction among Hungarian and German veterinarians. BMC Vet Res 2025 Oct 24;21(1):632.
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  4. Nyokabi NS, Wood JLN, Gemechu G, Berg S, Mihret A, Lindahl JF, Moore HL. The role of syndromic knowledge in Ethiopian veterinarians' treatment of cattle. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1364963.
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