Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of on-call duties on veterinarians' job satisfaction, well-being and personal relationships.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Sample: The sample was obtained from Veterinary Information Network (VIN) members in private practice within the United States.Procedures: A link to an anonymous online survey was distributed via an email invitation to all Veterinary Information Network (VIN) members with access from August 15, 2017 to October 21, 2017.Results: A total of 1,945 responses were recorded. The majority of those who reported having on-call duties were female associates. Composite scales were created to assess the impact of on-call shifts on job satisfaction and well-being. Multiple linear regression was conducted and found that gender (p = 0.0311), associate status (p < 0.0001), and age (p = 0.0293) were all significantly associated with on-call related job satisfaction. Additionally, multiple linear regression found that gender (p = 0.0039), associate status (p < 0.0057), and age (p < 0.0001) were all significantly associated with on-call related well-being. On-call shifts were reported by many to have a negative impact on job satisfaction and well-being; this was especially pronounced for female associates. Females had on-call related job satisfaction scores that were, on average, 1.27 points lower than that of males (lower scores equates to lower job satisfaction). Further, females' average on-call related well-being scores were 1.15 points higher than that of males (lower scores equates to higher well-being).Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: This study suggests that on-call shifts have a negative impact on veterinarian job satisfaction, well-being and personal relationships. The negative impact on job satisfaction and well-being is greatest for female associates. Veterinary medicine has been identified as a stressful occupation that can lead to psychological distress. It is therefore important to critically assess current practices that appear to increase stress and reduce emotional well-being. For this reason, it is suggested that veterinary hospitals explore alternative options to traditional on-call shifts.
Highlights
On-call work is defined as times during which employees have to be available to be called into work if needed [1]
The composite score for job satisfaction was comprised of eight items such as “I feel the extra pay I get from being on call makes the inconvenience worth it” and “I feel that having on call duties negatively impacts my job satisfaction.”
18% of participants reported receiving a stipend for being on-call, in the absence of performing clinical duties
Summary
On-call work is defined as times during which employees have to be available to be called into work if needed [1]. Many medical professionals, including veterinary clinicians, are required to do offsite on-call work (where they do not have to remain at the workplace but have to respond if called) as part of their job [2] These shifts are typically defined as non-restrictive, meaning they allow the employee to use this time for their own purposes, and are legally considered rest time (government publishing office). These shifts require employees to carry a phone and return to work within a set period of time (e.g., 30 min) if needed. Many veterinary hospitals pay veterinarians and veterinary support staff a stipend to be on-call, a solution that many employers use to provide full shift coverage during off-peak hours for less money than a regularly staffed shift [5]
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