Challenges Faced by U.S. Veterinary Technicians in the Workplace During COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Health
• Healthcare Worker Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic heightened demand for veterinary services, straining veterinary technicians.
• Existing research on pandemic impacts overlooks veterinary technicians, unlike human healthcare workers.
• Veterinary technicians are crucial in animal healthcare, comparable to nurses in human medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on veterinary technicians in the United States.
• To assess the professional challenges and work environment experienced by veterinary technicians during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was developed and distributed to U.S. veterinary technicians.
• 1,132 usable responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics (SPSS 26.0).

Main Results:

• A majority of veterinary technicians reported the pandemic significantly affected their practice.
• Key challenges included unmanageable hours, inadequate support staff, and negative interactions with animal owners.
• Only 52% felt appreciated, and 43% found their hours manageable.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic imposed substantial burdens on veterinary technicians, exacerbating pre-existing risks of burnout.
• Understanding these impacts is crucial for supporting this essential group of animal healthcare professionals.
• Further research is needed to address the documented challenges and improve working conditions for veterinary technicians.