Abstract
A relatively high risk of poor mental health has been described among Canadian veterinarians, but no published studies have explored the impact that veterinarian mental health may have on veterinary clients and patients. In order to investigate the association between veterinarian mental health and veterinary client satisfaction, veterinarians were randomly sampled and recruited throughout southwestern Ontario, Canada, from November, 2017, through January, 2019. Sixty participating veterinarians completed an enrollment survey that included psychometric scales measuring resilience, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, emotional distress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction. Nine hundred and ninety-five companion animal clients of these veterinarians were recruited in-clinic over 2–3 days and completed a post-appointment survey including the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The associations between clients' satisfaction scores (as the outcome variable) and each of the veterinarians' mental health measures (as the explanatory variables) were assessed using separate, multilevel, multivariable linear regression models. The associations between client satisfaction and veterinarian mental health measures were non-linear and complex; in several of the models, relatively higher client satisfaction was unexpectedly associated with poor veterinarian mental health states, while lower client satisfaction was associated with mental health scores suggesting wellness. Given that client satisfaction may impact client adherence to medical recommendations, client loyalty, and business income, the association with veterinarian mental health may have broad implications and warrants further investigation.
Highlights
Canadian veterinarians are reported to experience relatively poor mental health compared to the general population, including elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, as well as occupation-specific conditions such as burnout and secondary traumatic stress [1]
A total of 2,234 veterinarians met the initial inclusion process. This involved the random selection of 472 veterinarians overall, of which 257 declined participation, 149 met one or more exclusion criteria, and five who had been contacted but had not responded at the time of the conclusion of the study
The most common reasons given for declining participation were as follows: lack of interest; feeling too busy; and feeling self-conscious
Summary
Canadian veterinarians are reported to experience relatively poor mental health compared to the general population, including elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, as well as occupation-specific conditions such as burnout and secondary traumatic stress [1]. Vet Mental Health Client Satisfaction important areas for research, to date, little research has been published regarding the occupational impact of veterinarian mental health, and no published studies have explored the effect on patients and clients. This is a gap that warrants investigation, as these stakeholders represent two-thirds of the veterinarianclient-patient relationship. The unique nature of the veterinarianpatient-client relationship [8] and the broad scope of veterinary general practice [typically including a variety of patient species and ailments [9] as well as variations in the owner-pet bond and client economic factors [10]] can make analysis of patient outcomes challenging. Client satisfaction represents an important aspect of healthcare which is more readily measured [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
