Veterinary Workforce Shortages – A Deeper Dive

The veterinary workforce is facing a significant shortage that impacts both animal care and the broader healthcare ecosystem. But what’s driving people away? Let us dive into the issue and explore its causes, consequences, and potential solutions.

What’s Causing These Shortages?

Pet ownership is on the rise, and 70% of owners consider their pets to be family members.¹ This growing bond has led to increased demand for veterinarians as people increasingly want their pets to live longer, healthier lives. As more pet owners adopt this mindset, we see a greater emphasis on preventative care, increasing the demand for veterinary services.

Much like their medical school counterparts, veterinary schools have limited capacity. Despite ongoing expansions, the number of graduates is not keeping pace with the growing need for veterinarians. Unlike their medical school counterparts, compensation levels for vets have not matched the high demand for their services. This mismatch between compensation and demand has significantly affected the recruitment and retention of new veterinarians.

The low ratio of certified veterinarians to the rising number of patients has led to increasing burnout and attrition. Long work hours, high stress levels, and increasing regulatory burdens contribute to veterinarians leaving the profession early. Because of COVID-19 protocols and staffing issues, veterinary productivity declined by about 25% in 2020 compared to 2019. The resulting decrease in efficiency, combined with increased demand, has led to backlogs and stress.

Geographic disparities further exacerbate this issue. The shortages are more pronounced in rural and underserved areas, where access to veterinary care is already limited. As the map below shows, states in the Western US tend to employ fewer veterinarians.² Additionally, the map shows that the most densely populated and urbanized states have a high concentration of veterinarians, facilitating easier access to pet care and helping to distribute the workload more evenly among veterinarians.

What Are the Consequences?

Primarily, there will be reduced access to veterinary care. More people with more pets but a dwindling number of veterinarians will lead to longer wait times for appointments. It will become much more difficult for owners to access emergency care and specialized services. These delays and access limitations will negatively impact animal welfare.³ However, delays in diagnosing and treating zoonotic diseases can make humans sick, too. If we don’t take care of our furry friends, we could also find ourselves sick.

According to basic economic principles, to maintain market equilibrium, an increase in demand must be met with a corresponding increase in supply. If supply cannot match demand, veterinary practices will lose revenue, and pet owners’ costs will increase, forcing them to compete for access to their pets’ healthcare.

What Can We Do to Solve These Issues?

There are multiple options we could consider. The first option is to expand the capacity of our veterinary schools to increase the number of graduates. This is essential for the long-term sustainability of the industry.⁴ If existing veterinary programs do not produce enough graduates to fill vacancies, the industry will become stuck in a vicious cycle of burnout.

Speaking of burnout, expanding the role of veterinary technicians can alleviate some of the workload for veterinarians. By fully utilizing the skills of accredited veterinary technicians, the system can become more sustainable.⁵

Another option is to improve work-life balance for veterinarians, a tactic other industries have successfully implemented. For instance, companies like Microsoft and Buffer have experimented with 4-day workweek models to improve employee work-life balance.⁶ Implementing strategies to reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction among veterinarians is crucial. Not only will it reduce the current rate of turnover among veterinarians, but it will also draw students into the discipline.

To help students see their future as a veterinarian as truly enticing, financial incentives should be offered. Giving students perks such as loan forgiveness or scholarships can attract more students to the veterinary profession.

As for the issues facing rural and underserved areas, utilizing technology can help improve the workload for veterinarians. Leveraging telemedicine and remote services can help expand access to veterinary care and make it easier for patients to see their vet. It is also essential to develop targeted recruitment and retention strategies in rural areas to increase the rate of animal welfare and decrease delays.

Conclusion

Addressing the veterinary workforce shortage requires a multifaceted approach. By expanding educational capacity, supporting technicians, improving work-life balance, offering financial incentives, and leveraging technology, we can ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the veterinary profession. As we plan for an uncertain future, these strategies will help us maintain the robust and responsive veterinary care system essential for the health and well-being of both our pets and us. When tackling the current challenges in veterinary practice, we must address the root causes of veterinary care shortages rather than the symptoms alone.