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Effects of embedded acceptance and commitment training in veterinary medical and technology programs as students
Mary Beth Spitznagel1, John Martin1, Nikki E Bennett1
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 11, 2025
Summary
A digital Acceptance and Commitment Training intervention called "Unburdened" shows promise in reducing psychological distress, stress, and burnout among veterinary students. Early results suggest it can improve mental health outcomes for future veterinary professionals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Psychological distress, stress, and burnout are prevalent issues within the veterinary profession.
- Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) has shown potential in mitigating these issues by targeting "burden transfer" (reactivity to challenging client interactions).
- Early intervention during veterinary education may optimize mental health for students entering the workforce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and evaluate a self-guided digital ACT intervention ("Unburdened") for veterinary students.
- To assess the intervention's impact on psychological distress, stress, burnout, and related outcomes.
- To determine the feasibility and scalability of embedding the "Unburdened" program into veterinary curricula.
Main Methods:
- A digital, self-guided "Unburdened" intervention was embedded into 5 veterinary programs.
- 200 advanced students were randomized into an assessment-only control group or the intervention group.
- Kirkpatrick outcomes (Reaction, Learning, Behavior, Results) were measured via online assessments at multiple time points up to 12 months post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The study is designed to compare outcomes between the control and intervention groups using latent growth curve modeling.
- Data collection includes measures of engagement, knowledge, skill use, burden transfer, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression.
- Longitudinal analysis will track mental health trajectories throughout the year following graduation.
Conclusions:
- The "Unburdened" program has the potential to decrease burden transfer, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression in veterinary professionals.
- Successful implementation could offer a scalable and sustainable strategy to enhance mental health and well-being in the veterinary workforce.
- The program's ready-to-share format facilitates its potential routine adoption into veterinary training curricula.
