Abstract
Concerns about lack of available jobs in rural veterinary practice (RVP) and ironically difficulties attracting new veterinarians are commonly expressed within the veterinary community. Reports on supply and demand for rural veterinarians have produced conflicting results. A 1990's economic study forecasted a 3.0% increase in available veterinarians in large animal private practice and a 1.7% decrease in demand from 1997 to 2015. However, a later study forecasted a shortage of food supply veterinary medicine (FSVM) veterinarians from 2004 to 2016 ranging from 0.1% (poultry veterinarians) to 6.9% (federal animal health), with mixed food animal practice at 6.6%.
Highlights
Aurora Villarroel Oregon State University Stephen R
A 1990’s economic study forecasted a 3.0% increase in available veterinarians in large animal private practice and a 1.7% decrease in demand from 1997 to 2015.1 a later study forecasted a shortage of food supply veterinary medicine (FSVM) veterinarians from 2004 to 2016 ranging from 0.1% to 6.9%, with mixed food animal practice at 6.6%
The apparent disparity between the estimates of demand and supply may be due to the assumption that large animal veterinarians, food animal veterinarians, FSVM veterinarians and rural veterinarians are all the same
Summary
Recommended Citation Villarroel, Aurora; McDonald, Stephen R.; Walker, William L.; Kaiser, Lana; Dewell, Renee D.; and Dewell, Grant A. (2010) "Shortage of Rural Veterinarians: Real or Perceived?," Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy: Vol 5: Iss. 7. This article is available in Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy: https://newprairiepress.org/ojrrp/vol5/iss7/12
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