Reviving Vet Med

Send us Fan Mail

Everyone has witnessed or been the victim of an online critic or cyberbully attack. Veterinary team members are more vulnerable to these incidents with public access to online review sites and social media pages. These situations can have devastating consequences for individuals and deeply impact the wellbeing of the entire veterinary team. 

During this episode, I review the different means by which veterinary teams are exposed to online critics or cyberbullies, as well as what to do when they occur. Practical tools for protecting mental health and wellbeing under these circumstances are covered. 

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rngXMf8D1vM&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=6

Resources

How common is cyberbullying among adults? (NZ 2019 Study): https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2019.0146 

Experiencing online harassment (USA 2014 Study): https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/10/22/part-1-experiencing-online-harassment/ 

Blogs

How to deal with cyberbullying on social media? (LifeLearn)

https://www.lifelearn.com/2015/09/04/how-to-deal-with-cyberbullying-on-social-media/

Five Simple Steps for Responding to Negative Online Reviews (Marie Holowaychuk) https://marieholowaychuk.com/2022/02/02/five-simple-steps-for-responding-to-negative-online-reviews/ 

Other Resources

AVMA Online Reputation Management (Members Only): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/practice-management/reputation/monitoring-your-online-reputation 

Australian E-Safety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/ 

Check out my online program “From Burnout to Balance” for more information and to register: www.marieholowaychuk.com/burnout

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/


Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Despite a slight improvement in caseload and staffing within most veterinary practices, veterinary team members are still experiencing persistent or habitual burnout. This phenomenon is becoming more prevalent and requires awareness and intentional steps to allow individuals to recover. 

During this episode, we review the research regarding the different stages of burnout including the symptoms. Most importantly, practical strategies for prevention, management, and recovery from burnout are shared. 

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXdyRbWg8tc&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=7

Resources

Burnout in Healthcare Workers - Prevalence, Impact, and Preventative Strategies: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7604257/ 

Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among full-time veterinarians in the United States (2016-2018): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33978434/ 

CVMA Wellness Survey (2012): https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/news-events/news/resources/vet-health-wellness-cvma-national-survey%20results

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Research consistently demonstrates the benefits of volunteering, especially among individuals who believe others will benefit from their contributions and that they are being appreciated for their efforts. 

During this episode, and in honour of International Volunteer Day, I review the positive impact of volunteering on mental health and wellbeing, and share strategies for optimizing volunteer opportunities in and outside of the veterinary profession. The importance of establishing boundaries in the context of volunteering time and energy is also discussed.

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbxtdpmUxGs&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=8

Resources

Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study (2020): https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/about-us/veterinary-and-consumer-affairs/article/veterinary-wellbeing-study-2020 

Motives for volunteering are associated with mortality risk in older adults (2012): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-17888-001 

Does Volunteering Make Us Happier, or Are Happier People More Likely to Volunteer? Addressing the Problem of Reverse Causality When Estimating the Wellbeing Impacts of Volunteering: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10902-020-00242-8 

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/


Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Every 10th Reviving Vet Med podcast will feature a BONUS episode! Our first BONUS episode is a 25-minute gratitude meditation, just in time for the holiday season.

Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions and can lift your energy or mood after experiencing anger, frustration, grief, or sadness. You are invited to practice this meditation anytime you wish to relax or invite a sense of gratitude into your day. (But please do not listen to this episode while driving!).


Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Recent veterinary wellness studies have tended to focus on the negative aspects of veterinary work, with little mention of the positive components. 

Eudaimonic wellbeing is having fulfilling work that contributes to the greater good and can promote career satisfaction among veterinary professionals. 

During this episode, I review the research around job characteristics that contribute to eudaimonia (meaning) including actualizing self, helping others (animals or people), and a sense of belonging (to team or profession). Practical strategies for nurturing meaningful work are also shared. 

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9DoGPS11Gw&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=9

Resources
Finding the Balance: Uncovering Resilience in the Veterinary Literature: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28206... Merck (AVMA) Veterinary 

Wellbeing Study: https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.c...

Meaning of work and personal protective factors among palliative care professionals: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30841...

Meaningful work and well-being: a study of the positive side of veterinary work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31563...

Veterinary technicians and occupational burnout: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/...

Recommended Reading: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary team members are struggling with burnout more than ever before, thanks to an excruciating caseload and staffing shortages. More and more veterinary professionals are choosing to leave their jobs, further exacerbating the burnout of those left behind. 

Research shows that one of the biggest reasons that employees leave their jobs is because they feel unappreciated or undervalued. And we also know that giving feedback and showing appreciation to employees is an art that requires dedication and care. 

Not every employee feels appreciated in the same way, which is why understanding how employees want to be recognized or acknowledged is so important. 

During this episode, we review the research around employee appreciation and share practical tools and tips for recognizing the important work of each veterinary team member. 

Video Version 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwImTe3Htww 

Resources
A systematic review including meta-analysis of work environment and burnout symptoms (BMC Public Health 2017): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5356239/

The role of veterinary team effectiveness in job satisfaction and burnout in companion animal veterinary teams (JAVMA 2014): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25148093/

Evaluation of team effectiveness and personal empathy for associations with professional quality of life and job satisfaction in companion animal practice personnel (JAVMA 2019): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31039097/

Veterinary technicians and occupational burnout (Front Vet Sci 2020): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00328/full

Five Love Languages: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/store/the-5-love-languages

Appreciation in the Workplace: https://www.appreciationatwork.com/

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

The statistics regarding veterinarian suicide have been the focus of studies in recent years. However, it's time that the focus shifted away from the statistics and towards what we can do as a veterinary profession to support the mental health and wellbeing of all veterinary team members. 

In this episode, I share practical strategies for reducing stigma, fostering mental health, and preventing suicide among veterinary professionals.

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYNi4M6JIQY&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=12

Resources

Prevalence of mental health outcomes among Canadian veterinarians (JAVMA 2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31961276/

Executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study (JAVMA 2018): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29701527/

Suicide among veterinarians in the United States from 1979 through 2015 (JAVMA 2019): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30668293/

If you are someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please... 

Call: 1-800-273-8255 (USA) 1-833-456-4566 (Canada) 

Visit: suicide.org 

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary professionals often using coping strategies like binge-watching Netflix, drinking a bottle of wine, and eating unhealthy foods to deal with work- and life-related stressors. 

Unfortunately, these coping strategies are not health-promoting when used repeatedly, and over time they can become harmful. 

During this episode, the difference between coping strategies and self-care is explained. Additionally, in light of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, signs of substance use disorders are reviewed and steps for helping a colleague in crisis are shared.

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jubxOpq_4Q&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=12

Resources

https://marieholowaychuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Substance-Use-References-And-Resources.pdf (includes all links listed below)

Psychosocial stress, demoralization and the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and medical drugs by veterinarians.

Suicides and deaths of undetermined intent among veterinary professionals from 2003 through 2014. 

CAGE Questions for Alcohol Use.

Substance Abuse in the Workplace: What to do?

AVMA Wellbeing Resources. 

State Wellbeing Programs for Veterinary Professionals

Substance Use Disorder and Suicide Prevention Toolkit.

CDC Alcohol Use and Your Health.  

VIN Foundation Vets4Vets.

What Substance Use Disorder Recovery Can Teach Us About COVID-19?

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

It can feel so good to vent and tell someone our frustrations. In fact, airing our grievances can feel like self-care in the moment, as it brings a sense of connection and stress relief. 

However, studies demonstrate that venting can have harmful effects on our stress levels and relationships, especially when it is not done productively. 

During this episode, I share ways that venting can be helpful, as well as tips for setting boundaries when it comes to someone else's venting.

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF-inY35O5Q&list=PLSg17Xf-rT1-e4zMj5UhYf_ecmYdqO4k7&index=13

Resources

The Harmful Effects of Venting and How to Stop It https://marieholowaychuk.com/2021/07/07/the-harmful-effects-of-venting-and-how-to-stop-it/

The role of co-rumination and adrenocortical attunement in young women’s close friendships https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453018302051?via%3Dihub

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

People-pleasing is something that many veterinary professionals (and others) struggle with. While it might feel better in the short-term to say yes and appease others, putting the needs of everyone else first erodes wellbeing over time. 

During this episode, I discuss how to know if you are a people-pleaser and share five strategies for reducing this tendency. 

Video Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExaL-pp9Kok

Resources

5 Strategies to Stop Being a People Pleaser

The Likeability Trap

Online Programs

To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit:
https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter:
https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Questions or Suggestions
Email [email protected]

Support the show