Forms of employment and species caseload of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand.
Abstract: A survey by means of a postal questionnaire was undertaken to investigate the patterns of work and the need for information of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand. Of the 670 eligible veterinarians, 399 practitioners (60 per cent) participated in the survey. Of these, 38 per cent were in large animal practice (less than 20 per cent of work devoted to cats and dogs) and 31 per cent were in small animal practice (more than 80 per cent of work with cats and dogs). The remaining 31 per cent were in mixed practice, with a workload intermediate between the other two groups. Across the entire sample of practitioners, cats and dogs took up the largest number of veterinary hours per person (1092 hours per year). Dairy cattle were second (438 hours), and horses third (302 hours). Deer and goats ranked next, and each used more veterinary hours per person than did either sheep or beef cattle. Other species comprised very minor parts of the overall workload. Women spent a much higher proportion of their working hours with small animals and a much lower proportion with horses than did men. For other species workload patterns were similar between men and women. In relation to employment of the practitioner group, women were under represented, compared with men, among those with responsibilities for the management of practices, even when account was taken of the fact that the women in the sample were younger. Fewer than one per cent of men in the sample were not employed full-time, whereas 15 per cent of the women were in part-time employment. The survey indicates that there has been a substantial change in the demographic structure of the veterinary profession and the forms of veterinary work carried out. It also shows that the differences in work and career patterns between men and women need more intensive study to improve the accuracy of predictions of future requirements for veterinary manpower.
Publication Date: 1989-09-01 PubMed ID: 16031537DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1989.35577Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article focuses on analysing the working patterns and information needs of New Zealand’s veterinary practitioners, underlining changes in their demographic structure and the species they primarily care for.
Study Methodology
- A survey was carried out utilising a postal questionnaire to gather insights into the work habits and information requirements of New Zealand’s veterinary practitioners.
- Out of 670 veterinarians, 60% or 399 practitioners took part in the study.
Practice Focus
- About 38% of respondents were involved in large animal practice, dedicating less than 20% of their work to cats and dogs.
- About 31% of vets had a practice largely centered around small animals, with over 80% of their work involving cats and dogs.
- The remaining 31% had mixed workloads, with caseloads falling between the two extremes.
Anatomy of Veterinary Hours
- Out of all the respondents, cats and dogs consumed the highest number of veterinary hours per person (1092 hours per annum).
- Dairy cattle (438 hours) followed by horses (302 hours) respectively came next in terms of veterinary attention.
- Deer and goats also took up significant veterinary hours, surpassing sheep or beef cattle.
- Other species made up a very small fraction of the overall workload.
Gender Comparison
- Women were observed to spend a significantly higher proportion of their hours caring for small animals and comparatively fewer hours with horses.
- However, with other species, workload patterns between men and women were not much different.
- In terms of practitioner employment, fewer women held management responsibilities within their practices compared to their male counterparts. This remained true despite accounting for the women sample’s younger average age.
- Part-time employment was far more common with female respondents, with 15% working part-time versus less than 1% of men.
Future Implications
- The survey indicates a noticeable shift in the demographic structure of the veterinary profession and the forms of work performed.
- Furthermore, it highlights the need for a more intensive study of work and career patterns between men and women. This will enable better prediction for future veterinary manpower requirements.
Cite This Article
APA
Boland CJ, Morris RS.
(1989).
Forms of employment and species caseload of veterinary practitioners in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 37(3), 112-116.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1989.35577 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North.
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