Latent burnout profiles of veterinarians in Canada: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Burnout and mental health among veterinarians: The role of self-compassion and associated risk factors

BACKGROUND

Veterinarians represent a population at risk for burnout. The influence of self-compassion on the development and consequences of burnout remains poorly understood.

METHODS

A validated 30-item survey was disseminated to registered members of the College of Veterinarians of Las Palmas (Spain) via Google Survey between October and December 2023 to assess levels of burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-general survey) and self-compassion (self-compassion scale) and explore the prevalence of anxiety, depression and benzodiazepine use.

RESULTS

A total of 141 responses were received. Respondents exhibited high levels of exhaustion and cynicism. Older veterinarians exhibited lower cynicism, while those with 1‒10 years of experience reported higher exhaustion. Veterinarians with more than 10 years in their current role demonstrated increased efficacy. Females showed a lower likelihood of self-compassion. Exhaustion and cynicism were negatively correlated with self-compassion. A total of 19.8% of the respondents reported being diagnosed with anxiety/depression, and 19.1% took benzodiazepines, half of them without a prescription.

LIMITATIONS

This cross-sectional study provides a snapshot of the situation at a single point in time and may be susceptible to response bias, such as the healthy worker effect.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions to address the complex interplay of burnout, self-compassion, mental health and demographic factors within the veterinary profession.

The Role of Guilt Feelings in the Development of the Burnout Process: The Influence on Psychosomatic Problems

Burnout is a psychological consequence of prolonged work-related stress. Previous studies have concluded that guilt feelings could explain the development of the burnout process and its relationship with other health disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mediating role of guilt feelings in the relationship between burnout and psychosomatic problems. The sample comprised 714 Brazilian teachers (82.10% women). Burnout was assessed using the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI). The hypotheses were evaluated together using a path model to test the mediating role of guilt feelings in the development of burnout and its relationship with psychosomatic problems. Two models were constructed: the hypothesized model (i.e., indolence → guilt → psychosomatic problems) vs. the alternative model (i.e., indolence → psychosomatic problems → guilt). According to the results, the hypothesized model obtained a satisfactory fit to the data, whereas the alternative model's fit was found to be inadequate. We concluded that the hypothesized model was a good representation of the relationship among burnout, guilt feelings and psychosomatic problems. We recommend taking into consideration feelings of guilt to improve the diagnosis of burnout.

Analyzing Latent Burnout Profiles in a Sample of Spanish Nursing and Psychology Undergraduates

There is abundant literature suggesting that university students in helping professions experience high levels of stress, leading to an increased risk of developing burnout. The objective of this study was to identify burnout profiles in a sample of 1162 Spanish nursing and psychology undergraduates using latent profile analysis, a person-oriented statistical method that can identify hidden homogenous subgroups within a heterogeneous population. We expected to replicate in university students the five-profile structure (burnout, overextended, disengaged, ineffective, and engagement) proposed by Leiter and Maslach using the burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy) as indicators. The results showed that burnout, overextended, and engagement profiles were adequately replicated. Given that levels of inefficacy and cynicism were medium to low, the ineffective and disengaged profiles somewhat deviated from those identified by Leiter and Maslach. We found differences between the five latent profiles in several psychological variables, such as depression and anxiety. These results suggest that psychosocial factors (e.g., workload) are significant among students and may adversely impact their health, leading to psychosomatic and emotional disorders. Hence, designing effective interventions to prevent health problems associated with burnout seems advisable, considering the specific burnout profile that a student exhibits.

Veterinarian burnout demographics and organizational impacts: a narrative review

Burnout is a work-related syndrome of physical and emotional exhaustion secondary to prolonged, unresolvable occupational stress. Individuals of different demographic cohorts may have disparate experiences of workplace stressors and burnout impacts. Healthcare organizations are adversely affected by burnt out workers through decreased productivity, low morale, suboptimal teamwork, and potential impacts on the quality of patient care. In this second of two companion reviews, the demographics of veterinary burnout and the impacts of burnout on affected individuals and work environments are summarized, before discussing mitigation concepts and their extrapolation for targeted strategies within the veterinary workplace and profession.

A narrative review of the physiology and health effects of burnout associated with veterinarian-pertinent occupational stressors

Chronic workplace stress and burnout are serious problems in veterinary medicine. Although not classified as a medical condition, burnout can affect sleep patterns and contributes to chronic low grade systemic inflammation, autonomic imbalance, hormonal imbalances and immunodeficiencies, thereby increasing the risks of physical and psychological ill health in affected individuals. Cultural misconceptions in the profession often lead to perceptions of burnout as a personal failure, ideas that healthcare professionals are somehow at lower risk for suffering, and beliefs that affected individuals can or should somehow heal themselves. However, these concepts are antiquated, harmful and incorrect, preventing the design of appropriate solutions for this serious and growing challenge to the veterinary profession. Veterinarians must first correctly identify the nature of the problem and understand its causes and impacts before rational solutions can be implemented. In this first part of two companion reviews, burnout will be defined, pathophysiology discussed, and healthcare and veterinary-relevant occupational stressors that lead to burnout identified.