Workplace Strategies to Reduce Burnout in Veterinary Nurses and Technicians: A Delphi Study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Veterinary nurses and technicians experience high rates of burnout, negatively affecting their health, job retention, and patient care quality.
• While workplace contributors to burnout are known, effective management strategies for this demographic remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers hindering the management of burnout in veterinary professionals.
• To develop expert-validated recommendations for workplace strategies to mitigate burnout.

Main Methods:

• The Delphi method was employed, involving 40 experienced veterinary professionals from five countries (USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada).
• Two anonymous, online, mixed-methods surveys were conducted, utilizing content analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data.

Main Results:

• Key barriers included unclear industry regulations, insufficient leadership knowledge, poor team culture, resistance to change, and pre-existing burnout.
• Thirty-nine solutions were developed and rated highly effective, focusing on enhanced communication, career progression pathways, and leadership training/support.

Conclusions:

• Addressing burnout requires understanding and overcoming both industry-wide and clinic-specific barriers.
• Implementing targeted strategies, such as improved communication and leadership development, is crucial for mitigating burnout and supporting veterinary professionals.