A cross-sectional study examining perceptions of discriminatory behaviors experienced and witnessed by veterinary students undertaking clinical extra-mural studies

Perspectives of Veterinary Students With Disabilities, Neurodiversity and/or Chronic Conditions on a Career in Equine Practice: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative phenomenological study explored factors influencing veterinary students with disabilities, neurodiversity, or chronic conditions (VSDNCC) in pursuing equine practice in the UK and Ireland. Equine practice is often seen as exclusive and unsupportive,1,2 contributing to recruitment challenges.3,4 This study examined career influences and the impact of equine placements on their decisions. Semi-structured interviews via Microsoft Teams explored the experiences and perceptions of VSDNCC in equine practice. Participants aged 18-29 years were recruited from UK and Irish veterinary schools through social media and referrals. The sample included six individuals with diverse diagnoses, often multiple. Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes and seven subthemes. Participants' career decisions were influenced by factors such as work nature, environment, team dynamics, and preparedness, with perceptions varying by diagnosis. For instance, those with mobility issues considered accessibility, while neurodiverse participants focused on environmental control. Many reported ableism during equine extramural studies, negatively impacting their experience and career outlook. None encountered equine vets with similar conditions, highlighting the need for relatable role models to inspire their career aspirations. The equine veterinary industry is often seen as unwelcoming by VSDNCC, with ableism during extramural studies and a lack of relatable role models reinforcing exclusion. Greater openness from equine vets about their diagnoses and adjustments, along with supportive learning environments that encourage skill-building and accommodations, could improve perceptions and inspire VSDNCC to consider careers in equine practice.

Students' Reports of Challenges, Experiences, and Perceptions of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Veterinary Colleges in Canada and the United States

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in veterinary medicine affects veterinarians, students, clients, and the regional availability of veterinary services. Veterinary students from 5 colleges in Canada and 5 colleges in the United States were surveyed about their challenges, experiences, and perceptions related to EDI, resulting in 456 responses (10.4%). A greater proportion of participants reported personal, financial, mental health, and physical health challenges during veterinary college compared to the proportion reporting these challenges before starting veterinary college. Statistically, participants who did not identify as White (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.3), who reported having a disability (OR: 5.0, CI: 2.1-12.1), and who identified as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community (OR: 8.5, CI: 3.8-19.2 ) were more likely to agree or strongly agree that discrimination occurs at veterinary colleges. Fewer participants reported experiencing discrimination in veterinary colleges (20.6%) compared to veterinary workplaces (36.8%). In the workplace, more participants reported the expectation of facing bias from clients than from managers or peers. The expectation of facing bias from clients was associated with the female gender (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.3-5.6), not identifying as White (OR: 7.4, CI: 2.5-21.3), and identifying as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.3-5.4). More participants expected to practice in the same type of region as where they grew up rather than a different type of region. Thus, training future veterinarians from areas with region-based lack of access to veterinary services may be more effective than simply training more veterinarians. College EDI initiatives should include input from all participants and especially those who are most likely to experience discrimination, facilitating meaningful training and support.

Beginning with the End in Mind: Creating a Practice that Centers Equity-Part 2

The concept of equity recognizes historical and current barriers and promotes thriving for veterinary teams and people and animals in the community. It is possible to design equitable workplace systems to prevent and respond to harm using learnings from human medicine and the social sciences. These systems are grounded in the principles of health equity and must incorporate both formal policies and intentional cultivation of supportive culture and relationships. This article is part 2 of 2 articles reviewing how the concept of equity applies and could transform well-being in companion animal veterinary practice in North America.

Beginning with the End in Mind: Creating a Practice that Centers Equity-Part 1

The concept of equity recognizes historical and current barriers and promotes thriving for veterinary teams and people and animals in the community. Veterinary medicine lacks sociodemographic diversity; veterinarians and other team members who identify with systemically excluded groups offer valuable contributions but are at risk of workplace discrimination. Client families who face barriers for financial and other reasons are at risk of poor animal health and welfare outcomes, including separation from their animals. This article is part one of 2 articles reviewing how the concept of equity applies and could transform well-being in companion animal veterinary practice in North America.

Allies, Advocates, and Accomplices in Veterinary Medicine

For those new to the concept of allyship, this article will outline some of the foundation skills of allyship and strategies to overcome common hurdles. For those who consider themselves further along their allyship journey, there is material to encourage more effective or strategic allyship activities. Readers are encouraged to reflect on the different ways they can practice allyship within their own organizations. For leadership and management, we outline why allyship is important in veterinary workplaces and set out some key organization changes that can build inclusive workplaces through allyship.

Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact in Veterinary Medicine

Implicit biases are those we are unwilling to admit, yet they influence our behavior in ways that impact our experience in the workplace. Literature demonstrates that implicit bias influences career choice and limits success within a chosen career. Discrimination in the veterinary workplace is pervasive and has a negative impact that is responsible for financial loss. It can also influence client communication, patient-care, and be inadvertently perpetuated by well-meaning community clinics. Strategies can be employed to acknowledge implicit bias and to foster behavioral change, which results in a healthier workplace and improved client and patient-care.

Veterinarian-Chasing A Dream Job? A Comparative Survey on Wellbeing and Stress Levels among European Veterinarians between 2018 and 2023

Whilst recognizing the abundantly positive aspects within the different domains of the veterinary profession, the challenging socio-economic and cultural working climate has been identified as a source of veterinary mental wellbeing issues. This mixed methods study provides an overview of the mental state of veterinarians across Europe via two cross-sectional surveys in 2018/2019 (n = 14,559 veterinarians) and in 2022/2023 (n = 12,393 veterinarians). Mental wellbeing was assessed using 3 indicators: self-reported stress levels, the need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing (22% and 23%, resp., in 2018/2019 and 2022/2023) and the seven-question Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (2018/2019: 25, 2022/2023: 24.8). In both surveys, important differences were spotlighted between countries, but early-career veterinarians and female veterinarians were most at risk of decreased mental wellbeing all over Europe for all indicators. In conclusion, stress levels and need for medical leave due to reduced mental wellbeing remained at comparatively high levels across the two surveys and standardized mental wellbeing scores remained equally low. Notwithstanding the increased attention given to veterinary wellbeing in the last decade, our results underline that major efforts remain necessary, by creating more supportive and attractive workplaces that prioritize wellbeing, a good work/life balance, and providing job satisfaction.