What is it about?
This study of a cohort of students in one veterinary school aimed to measure stress levels using a validated scale (the K10) and compare these with the general public, medical students, and other professionals including medical doctors and veterinarians. We found that veterinary students reported higher levels of stress than these other groups.
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Why is it important?
There is growing interest in the wellbeing of members of the veterinary profession, due to reports of higher rates of suicide in this group. While some speculate that this is due to workplace stressors, we found that veterinary students were highly stressed. It is very important for educators to understand this, as there may be scope for intervention during or even prior to veterinary school. Veterinary schools increasingly incorporate personal wellbeing, resilience training and coping strategies into curricula.
Perspectives
This was an opportunity to work with a DVM student who had previously studied psychology and was concerned about the literature on stress, anxiety, depression and suicide in our profession. As an educator of veterinary students I share these concerns. There has been increased concern about the mental wellbeing of junior medical officers in Australia, due to high rates of suicide and reported workplace stress. This study re-enforces the need for effective, evidence-based intervention at multiple levels.
Anne Fawcett
University of Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: DVM students report higher psychological distress than the Australian public, medical students, junior medical officers and practicing veterinarians, Australian Veterinary Journal, July 2019, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/avj.12845.
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