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Background: Veterinarians and veterinary students are known to have a higher risk of mental health problems than other populations. Different studies in Veterinarians at the beginning of their careers are particularly affected. Therefore, this longitudinal study aimed to examine working conditions, psychosocial conditions, mental health and the psychological capital among early-career veterinarians.

Methods: Veterinarians in their first year after graduation were surveyed using an online questionnaire including established psychometric instruments (e.g. COPSOQ III, OLBI). Follow-up surveys were conducted after six and twelve months.

Results: At the first time-point, 173 persons met the inclusion criteria. Of these 169 were employed as veterinarians. Around 70% worked 40 or more hours per week and half of the respondents already participated in emergency services. Nevertheless, quantitative demands and role conflicts were lower than in the reference population [1]. Moreover, job satisfaction, meaning of work, support at work, and sense of community were higher. In a multifactorial model exploring the impact of working conditions and demographics on job satisfaction, the only significant factor was the availability of a contact person (p<.001). Job satisfaction did not significantly decline within the first 12 months of employment (Spearman’s r=-.094, p=.224). Mean scores for exhaustion (Ex; 2.4, SD: .5) and disengagement (Dis; 1.9, SD: .4) were significantly lower than those reported in a study among Portuguese veterinarians (Ex: 3.5 [.7]; Dis: 2.9 [.7]; [2]) and German employees (Ex: 2.6 [.6]; Dis: 2.0 [.6]; [3]). At the second time-point, only 60 persons participated. Of these, 25% changed their job within six months, mainly due to working conditions or conflicts with management. Results from the third time-point will also be presented.

Discussion: Overall, the results depict a positive transition into the veterinary profession: participants were generally engaged and satisfied. Those who were dissatisfied changed their job readily. These findings contradict previous research and may reflect changes in the job market, but maybe also a better veterinary education.

Take-home message: Transition from university to practice seems to be less problematic for veterinarians than expected. The study highlights the importance of emotional and professional support for early-career veterinarians.

Literatur

[1] Lincke HJ, Vomstein M, Lindner A, Nolle I, Häberle N, Haug A, Nübling M. COPSOQ III in Germany: validation of a standard instrument to measure psychosocial factors at work. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2021;16(1):50. DOI: 10.1186/s12995-021-00331-1
[2] Varela M, Correia I. Empathy and burnout in veterinarians and veterinary nurses: Identifying burnout protectors. Anthrozoös. 2023;36(1):15-34. DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2022.2074189
[3] Reis D, Xanthopoulou D, Tsaousis I. Measuring job and academic burnout with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI): Factorial invariance across samples and countries. Burn Res. 2015;2(1):8-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.burn.2014.11.001