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Frontiers in veterinary science2022; 9; 814104; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.814104

The Economic Cost of Burnout in Veterinary Medicine.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic cost of burnout in the veterinary profession and highlight the financial reasons why the industry should address the burnout crisis from an organizational perspective. Using data from 5,786 associate veterinarians in private practice, information was obtained using employment information related to compensation, work hours, hour preferences, and job turnover. Burnout was measured using the Professional Quality of Life Scale and used to calculate conditional probabilities on turnover and reduced working hours due to burnout. Lost revenue from each outcome (turnover and reduced working hours) was then used to calculate the economic costs to the veterinary services industry. The attributable cost of burnout of veterinarians to the US industry is between $1 and 2 billion annually in lost revenue, though there is a large amount of uncertainty. The cost is dependent on whether veterinary technicians are included in the analysis. The highest economic cost per veterinarian is among food animal practitioners, while the lowest is among equine. This study demonstrates that there are significant economic costs due to burnout among veterinarians and veterinary technicians. We suggest pursuing organizational interventions as these have shown the most impact in decreasing burnout and increasing satisfaction among human health physicians.
Copyright © 2022 Neill, Hansen and Salois.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-25 PubMed ID: 35280150PubMed Central: PMC8913590DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.814104Google 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 focuses on calculating the financial cost of burnout in the veterinary profession, presenting a compelling economic case for addressing this issue. Based on data from thousands of veterinarians, the annual lost revenue due to burnout was found to be up to $2 billion in the U.S. industry, underscoring the importance of implementing effective organizational interventions.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The primary goal of the study was to ascertain and estimate the financial implications of burnout in the veterinary profession.
  • It aimed to shed light on why the veterinary industry needs to address burnout from an organizational perspective for the financial health of the industry.
  • The study used employment data related to compensation, work hours, hour preferences, and job turnover from 5,786 associate veterinarians from private practices.
  • Burnout among these professionals was calculated using the Professional Quality of Life Scale, measuring the emotional and relational toll of members of the profession.

Findings and Interpretations

  • Results highlighted conditional probabilities of job turnover and reduced working hours due to burnout.
  • Lost revenue from these outcomes were then calculated to estimate the economic costs to the veterinary services industry.
  • The attributed annual cost related to burnout within the veterinary profession in the U.S. is approximately $1 to 2 billion in lost revenue.
  • However, the researchers underline that there is a significant level of uncertainty around this estimate, particularly driven by whether or not veterinary technicians are included in the analysis.

Variations in Economic Costs

  • The study found differential economic costs of burnout among different types of veterinarians.
  • Food animal practitioners were found to bear the highest economic costs per veterinarian due to burnout, while equine veterinarians experienced the lowest costs.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The research conclusively demonstrates significant economic costs due to burnout among veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
  • The study authors recommend implementing organizational interventions as they have been effective in reducing burnout and increasing job satisfaction among human health physicians, and could prove beneficial in the veterinary field as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Neill CL, Hansen CR, Salois M. (2022). The Economic Cost of Burnout in Veterinary Medicine. Front Vet Sci, 9, 814104. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.814104

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 814104
PII: 814104

Researcher Affiliations

Neill, Clinton L
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Hansen, Charlotte R
  • Veterinary Economics Division, American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, IL, United States.
Salois, Matthew
  • Veterinary Economics Division, American Veterinary Medical Association, Schaumburg, IL, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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