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The Big Five Personality Traits—Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism—are key factors in shaping how individuals think, feel, and behave in different environments. These traits help explain personal differences in how we approach challenges, relationships, and stressors. In high-pressure fields like veterinary medicine, understanding these personality traits can offer valuable insights into how professionals cope with the demands of their work, manage stress, and interact with colleagues and clients.

In this episode, we delve into the connection between the Big Five personality traits and the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals. We explore how traits like neuroticism and conscientiousness influence stress, burnout, and resilience among veterinary students and practitioners. Drawing on recent research, we discuss how these traits contribute to personal and professional challenges and offer strategies for navigating them. This episode provides a deeper understanding of how personality affects wellbeing in veterinary medicine, with practical takeaways for improving mental health.

Resources
Big 5 Personality Test: https://www.truity.com/test/big-five-personality-test

Characteristics of Veterinary Students: Perfectionism, Personality Factors, and Resilience: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32412364/

The Effect of Personality on Occupational Stress in Veterinary Surgeons: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28206844/

Exploring Valued Personality Traits in Practicing Veterinarians: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34478356/

The big five personality traits, perfectionism and their association with mental health among UK students on professional degree programmes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32487181/

Merck Animal Health Veterinary Team study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39032503/

Work-life balance is essential to reducing burnout, improving well-being: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38729208/

Name them to tame them (Ep. 1): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874187-name-them-to-tame-them-episode-1-reviving-vet-med

Meditation for veterinary skeptics (Ep. 16): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874187-name-them-to-tame-them-episode-1-reviving-vet-med

Can perfectionism lead to burnout? (Ep. 27): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/11866432-can-perfectionism-lead-to-burnout-episode-27-reviving-vet-med

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In the demanding field of veterinary medicine, establishing clear boundaries and learning to say no are essential skills for fostering resilience and maintaining mental health. Many veterinary professionals struggle with the pressure to take on extra responsibilities, leading to feelings of overwhelm and a sense of losing control. Recognizing the importance of setting limits is crucial for personal wellbeing, as it allows individuals to prioritize their needs and sustain their passion for the profession.

In this episode, we focus on the power of boundaries and the art of saying no in veterinary practice. We share practical strategies for identifying your limits and communicating them effectively, helping you cultivate a healthier work-life balance. By empowering yourself to set boundaries, you can enhance your resilience, protect your mental health, and create a more sustainable approach to your career.

Resources
Identifying unhealthy boundaries in veterinary medicine (podcast episode 39): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/13067280-identifying-unhealthy-boundaries-in-veterinary-medicine-episode-39-reviving-vet-med 

Simple statements for setting boundaries and saying no (PDF download): https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/simplestatements 

Five tips for building better boundaries (aka saving your sanity!) (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/five-tips-building-better-boundaries-aka-saving-sanity/ 

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In a high-demand, high-stress field like veterinary medicine, managing ADHD can pose unique challenges. From struggling with focus, time management, and organization to dealing with emotional dysregulation, ADHD can impact both personal and professional lives. ADHD, often associated with children, frequently goes undiagnosed in adults, even in high-functioning individuals. 

In this episode, we dive into this critical topic for ADHD Awareness Month: how ADHD affects veterinary professionals. We explore practical strategies for managing ADHD in a veterinary setting—such as using structured routines, time management tools, and leaning on team support—while also discussing the importance of fostering a more inclusive workplace that embraces neurodiversity. Whether you’re living with ADHD or want to support your neurodivergent colleagues, this episode offers valuable insights for thriving in the profession.

Resources
Time management hacks for busy veterinary professionals (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/time-management-hacks-for-busy-veterinary-professionals/ 

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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/.  

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In this special 50th bonus episode, we’re offering you a moment to pause, breathe, and reset with a brief 5-minute meditation. Designed for busy veterinary professionals, this short meditation can be used anytime during your workday to help you ground yourself, release tension, and refocus. Whether you're in your car, breakroom, or office, take this opportunity to reconnect with your breath and calm your mind.

Through simple mindfulness techniques, such as breath awareness, a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise, and body relaxation, you’ll find yourself rejuvenated and ready to take on the rest of your day with a sense of calm and focus. Share this meditation with a colleague who could use a quick reset, and check out additional meditations on Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s YouTube channel or Insight Timer. 

Resources
Check out additional meditations from Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/sweetmarie00002
Find other meditations from Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarieHolowaychukDVM 

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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 

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/.  

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Recent veterinary research reveals that as many as 50% of veterinary team members may be experiencing burnout. Tackling burnout in the veterinary profession requires a deeper understanding of its complexities. In this episode, we explore innovative ways to measure and address burnout, drawing on recent research and insights from Dr. Andria Jones, a researcher at the Ontario Veterinary College.

We discuss the four burnout profiles identified in veterinarians: engaged, ineffective, overextended, and burnout, along with a brief look at the disengaged profile. Each profile highlights unique challenges and opportunities for intervention, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches to wellbeing.

Listen in as we delve into effective strategies for fostering engagement, reducing overextension, and implementing systemic changes to combat burnout. Whether you’re a veterinary professional, manager, or leader, this episode offers valuable insights to help create a healthier, more resilient workplace for everyone.

Resources
How do you measure burnout among veterinarians? (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/measure-burnout-among-veterinarians/

Latent burnout profiles of veterinarians in Canada: Findings from a cross-sectional study (article): https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.2281

Burnout symptoms and workplace satisfaction among veterinary emergency care providers (article): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vec.13271

Episode 9: How finding meaning improves wellbeing (podcast): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874179-how-finding-meaning-improves-wellbeing-episode-9-reviving-vet-med

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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/.  

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Addressing mental health challenges within the veterinary profession requires a proactive approach, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like suicide. In this episode, we explore crucial resources designed to support veterinary team members and enhance their wellbeing during the most difficult times.

We’ll dive into the AVMA’s After a Suicide documents and Suicide Prevention Document, as well as the AAVMC Suicide Prevention Awareness Toolkit. These resources offer comprehensive guidelines and practical tools for managing and supporting teams affected by suicide. Additionally, we discuss the importance of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing as a key component in providing immediate support and fostering resilience.

Join us as we break down these essential resources, focusing on their role in creating a supportive, informed, and resilient work environment. Whether you’re a veterinary team member, manager, or leader, this episode provides valuable insights into implementing these resources effectively and supporting your team’s mental health and wellbeing.

Resources
After a Suicide: A Guide for Veterinary Workplaces (PDF): https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/After-a-Suicide-A-Guide-for-Veterinary-Workplaces.pdf

After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Colleges of Veterinary Medicine (PDF): https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/After-a-Suicide-Veterinary-Colleges.pdf

Suicide Prevention Resource Guide for Veterinary Settings (PDF): https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/Suicide-Prevention-Resource-Guide-Veterinary-Settings.pdf

Suicide Prevention Awareness Toolkit (PDF): https://www.aavmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AAVMC-Wellbeing-SuicidePrevention-Toolkit.pdf

QPR Suicide Prevention Training (60-min free virtual training): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing/qpr-suicide-prevention-training

Episode 7: What You Can Do To Prevent Suicide (podcast): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874181-what-you-can-do-to-prevent-suicide-episode-7-reviving-vet-med 

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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/.  

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Psychological health and safety is a buzz phrase that is picking up traction when it comes to taking steps to create healthier, safer, and more supportive work environments. In this episode, we delve into the Veterinary Visionaries™ initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration launched in 2022 by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which brought together nearly 50 veterinary health stakeholders to address the profession's most pressing challenges. Among the innovative ideas that emerged from this initiative was the development of the Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines (PHSG), a comprehensive framework designed to foster workplaces where veterinary professionals can truly thrive.

We break down the key components of these guidelines, focusing on their potential to transform veterinary practice culture, enhance communication, and safeguard mental health. From leadership commitment to trauma-informed care, these guidelines offer actionable strategies that can be integrated into everyday practice to create a more supportive and resilient work environment. Whether you're a practice owner, manager, or team member, this episode provides essential insights into how the PHSG can be implemented to improve the wellbeing of your team and the quality of care provided to your patients.

Resources
Veterinary Visionaries Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines (PDF): https://veterinaryvisionaries.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/VV-Psychological-Health-Safety-Guidelines-June-2024.pdf 

Veterinary Visionaries: https://veterinaryvisionaries.org/ 

Canadian National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/national-standard/ 

Bullying in Veterinary Workplaces (Episode 32): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/12189535-bullying-in-veterinary-workplaces-episode-32-reviving-vet-med 

Showing Appreciation in the Workplace (Episode 8): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/10874180-showing-appreciation-in-the-workplace-episode-8-reviving-vet-med

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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

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/. 

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Mistakes are an inevitable part of veterinary practice, and if you’ve been in the field for any length of time, chances are you’ve made one. In this episode, we delve into the various types of mistakes that can occur, from minor errors like miscalculating a drug dose to more serious ones that may have significant consequences. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, we explore the emotional toll mistakes can take and share strategies for coping and thriving in their aftermath.

We discuss the importance of technical learning, full disclosure, expanding perspectives, and finding support among colleagues. Additionally, we emphasize the power of self-compassion in silencing the inner critic that often emerges after a mistake. Whether you’ve just made a mistake or are supporting someone who has, this episode offers valuable tools to help navigate the challenging yet common experiences that all veterinary professionals face.

Resources

Article: Medical errors cause harm in veterinary hospitals (Frontiers in Vet Sci 2019): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6370638/ 

Article: Veterinarians' experiences with near misses and adverse events (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018): https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/252/5/javma.252.5.586.xml 

Article: Veterinarians’ emotional reactions and coping strategies for adverse events in spay-neuter surgical practice (Anthrozoos 2018): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08927936.2018.1406205  

Download: Self-Compassion Exercises After Making a Mistake: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/selfcompassion 

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 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/.  

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Have you ever experienced feeling that you have somehow fooled everyone else around you into thinking you are smarter or more capable than you really are? Research demonstrates that just over two-thirds of veterinarians experience imposter syndrome, which is more common among female veterinarians and those in practice for less than 5 years. Imposter syndrome can be an excruciating experience for many professionals and can have dramatic consequences on a person’s wellbeing.

In this episode, we discuss the definition of imposter syndrome, predisposing factors and groups most impacted, who it impacts in veterinary medicine, and the different ways that it shows up in individuals’ personal and professional lives. We’ll finish by discussing practical and tangible ways to reduce imposter syndrome including quieting the inner critic. This is an episode you will want to share with others in your life who also experience feeling like a fraud. 

Resources

Blog: If I’m Such a Successful Veterinarian, Why Do I Feel Like a Fraud? https://marieholowaychuk.com/2018/04/04/im-successful-veterinarianthen-feel-like-fraud/ 

Article: Veterinarians and impostor syndrome: an exploratory study (Vet Rec 2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32571984/ 

Book: Why do I feel like an imposter? How to understand and cope with imposter syndrome (by Dr. Sandi Mann)

Podcast: Do you feel like an imposter? (Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris): https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/valerie-young-574 

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 

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/.  

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The ways in which veterinary teams communicate can have a tremendous impact on their wellbeing. Research demonstrates that team members that work within an environment with effective communication have lower burnout scores and higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those who work in an environment with ineffective communication. Likewise, candid and open communication among team members is one of the four main components of a healthy work environment identified in the Merck Animal Health Wellbeing Study III, which is also linked with lower burnout and psychological distress among team members. 

In this episode, we discuss the benefits of healthy team communication and how to achieve that with curiosity and compassion. We cover different strategies for compassionate communication, as adapted from the non-violent communication model. From empathy to genuine apologies, there are helpful strategies here for all veterinary team members to apply in their work and home lives.

Resources

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

Article: Executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study III and Veterinary Support Staff Study (JAVMA 2022): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35943942/ 

Book: Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life (by Marshall Rosenberg). 

To Watch the Video Version of this Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcMSIENw6YI 

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 

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/   

Questions or Suggestions

Email [email protected] 

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