Why do veterinarians leave clinical practice? A qualitative study using thematic analysis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Social Sciences

Background:

• The veterinary profession faces challenges with clinician shortages and mental health concerns.
• An increasing percentage of veterinarians intend to leave practice, indicating a potential workforce crisis.
• Factors contributing to veterinarian attrition are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons why veterinary clinicians leave clinical practice.
• To identify personal and work-related factors influencing attrition.

Main Methods:

• Thematic Analysis of 26 semi-structured interviews with former veterinary clinicians.
• Interviews conducted between February-April 2018 across Australian states (excluding New South Wales).

Main Results:

• Attrition is driven by a combination of personal factors (relationships, mental health, motivations) and work experiences (workplace dynamics, conditions, clinical outcomes).
• Interplay between personal circumstances and professional experiences significantly influences decisions to leave practice.
• Negative thoughts, emotions, and health issues were prominent personal factors.

Conclusions:

• Attrition from veterinary clinical practice is complex, involving interconnected personal and work-related factors.
• Understanding these interlinked factors is crucial for developing effective retention strategies.
• Further research is needed to fully grasp the implications for the veterinary workforce.