Now that mental health issues are finally getting the attention they have long deserved, the psychological risks that certain professionals face are at long last being brought into the limelight. Learn more about occupational burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma in the vet field

1. Professional Burnout vs.
Compassion Fatigue vs.
Vicarious Traumatization
in the Veterinary
Business

2. Find our more in the original
article:
https://vetintegrations.com/insight
s/professional-burnout-vs-
compassion-fatigue-vs-vicarious-
traumatization-in-the-veterinary-
business/

3. Professional Burnout
According to the World Health Organization, professional burnout
is: “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace
stress that has not been successfully managed.” Most of the time,
it can be characterized by reduced professional efficacy, feelings of
extreme exhaustion, and increased mental distance from one’s job.
While anyone can experience professional burnout, certain
professionals are found to be at a higher risk than others.

4. Symptoms of Occupational Burnout
• Alienation from work-related activities
• Emotional fatigue
• Reduced performance
• Physical signs (headaches, insomnia)

5. Our Take on the Professional Burnout
Crippling burnout has also been found to be prevalent in the veterinary
industry — especially among younger professionals. Dr. Ivan Zak’s
latest survey noted how individuals under the age of 30 who are
working in this sector experienced the most significant burnout. While
the specific reasons behind this phenomenon still require further study,
Dr. Zak speculates that the younger generation’s emphasis on work-
life balance can be a factor, as it is hard for them to handle the long
hours and lack of control prevalent in veterinary medicine.

6. Preventing Professional Burnout
The first step in keeping burnout at bay is recognizing professional
burnout symptoms which can impact workers in the veterinary industry.
Veterinary technicians and staffers who appear physically and emotionally
exhausted may be experiencing the first stage of professional burnout. A
cynical belief that one’s work is failing to accomplish meaningful goals is
another sign that burnout is beginning to take hold. Practice managers
should carefully monitor their workers to ensure that detachment from the
job and a sense of malaise are not settling over the workplace.

7. Preventing Professional Burnout
While avoiding occupational burnout begins with recognition and
acknowledgement by management, the concern of fellow workers is
also needed to ensure professional resiliency. Cultivate a considerate
workplace culture that ensures team members are looking out for one
another to prevent burnout from spreading within the ranks. Veterinary
staffers should not hesitate to report professional burnout
symptoms like insomnia or isolation to supervisors who can offer help
to struggling workers.

8. Compassion Fatigue
Just like professional burnout, compassion fatigue can also be considered
another form of job stress. Compassion fatigue focuses on the emotional
exhaustion individuals feel after repeated exposure to trauma. Whereas
professional burnout is a personal experience, compassion fatigue is
more relational to the experiences of others. Empathetic employees who
are exposed to the trauma of others take on the emotional burden of their
colleagues or patients before eventually hitting a breaking point. After too
much exposure to the trauma of others, they may become incapable of
exercising empathy or relating to another individual for some time.

9. Compassion Fatigue Among Vets
In veterinary medicine, compassion fatigue can result from the close
relationship veterinary professionals share with their patients and
clients. Veterinary professionals who must put down terminally ill
pets can easily succumb to compassion fatigue. Staffers who deal
with animal cruelty cases may become overwhelmed by the trauma of
the animals they are treating. Constant exposure to the financial and
emotional struggles that their clients are experiencing can also
contribute to compassion fatigue.

10. Conquering Compassion Fatigue
Overcoming the perils of compassion fatigue is a protective and proactive
process. Veterinarians cannot wait until compassion fatigue strikes but
must take preemptive steps to ensure morale always remains high.
Taking pride in one’s work is an imperative part of this process. Senior
staffers should remind junior team members of the good they are doing in
the world when they assist wounded animals or put a suffering pet out of
its misery. Understanding that compassion fatigue and burnout often go
hand in hand is also essential for management personnel.

11. Conquering Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue in veterinary medicine is often experienced by
professionals who must oversee euthanasia. Workers who are
inexperienced with euthanizing a suffering pet may be grappling with
compassion fatigue and burnout in the aftermath. Staffers who bottle up
their emotions, constantly pick unexpected fights with coworkers, and
refuse to work with management could be experiencing compassion
fatigue. Substance abuse is another common sign of compassion fatigue,
which is particularly dangerous as the veterinary industry has few national
monitoring programs for substance abuse and mental health issues.

12. Vicarious Traumatization
It is easy to confuse vicarious traumatization and compassion fatigue. Vicarious
traumatization refers to the shift that happens in an individual after getting
exposed to traumatic events repeatedly. Individuals who experience it can either
become more cynical and fearful, or more appreciative of the things that they
have. Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue often develop in tandem. Since
vicarious traumatization focuses more on the reaction of an individual to a
traumatizing experience, their response can be negative, neutral, or positive. It
can also change over time, vary from one person to another, and differ based on
the length of exposure. Vicarious trauma is common among veterinary staffers
who deal with the repeated loss of patients.

13. Vicarious Traumatization

14. Reacting to Vicarious Trauma
Veterinary professionals who are often exposed to patient trauma and euthanasia
stress must embrace reflection to avoid negatively altering their personalities.
Writing exercises that focus on what draws an individual into veterinary medicine
can be fulfilling remedies to vicarious trauma. Writing can help prevent talking to
oneself, a critical symptom of vicarious trauma that managers should be aware
of. Personal values must always be maintained in the face of vicarious trauma.
Managers should ensure veterinary staff are valued in the workplace and
reminded of the role they play in saving patient lives. Avoiding workplace apathy
and detachment are critical steps in reacting to vicarious trauma as it arises.

15. Never Stop Learning!