Working to maintain and advance the health and well-being of all veterinary professionals
The WSAVA’s Professional Wellness Group (PWG) is working to improve the health and wellbeing of all members of the veterinary team and to champion equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) across the profession.
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Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was known that stress and burnout, coupled with a demanding workplace environment, were adversely affecting the mental wellbeing and physical health of veterinary professionals. During #WSAVA2019 in Toronto, PWG Chair, human psychologist Dr Nienke Endenburg presented the initial results of the first global study of veterinary wellness conducted among WSAVA members.
The findings confirmed that veterinary wellness and wellbeing were an issue in all parts of the world and a particular problem in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. They also showed that younger and female members of the profession were particularly at risk and that vet techs/nurses were experiencing a significantly higher volume of wellness issues.
The PWG’s members are now starting work on their most important initiative – the development of a set of WSAVA Global Guidelines for Veterinary Wellness. Once complete, they will form an evidence-based but accessible set of tools and other resources to support veterinary wellness, taking into account the differing regional, economic and cultural needs of all of our members.
Dr Nienke Endenburg
Chair of the WSAVA PWG
Dedicated veterinary teams around the world care for animals and owners. Our priority is to take care of them. We hope our Global Guidelines will be an important step towards bringing about positive change and enhancing the wellbeing of all veterinarians globally. We will offer a preview of them during #WSAVA2021 later this year, with a full launch during 2022.
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She adds: “We could not do our work without the support we receive from WSAVA Gold Partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition. On behalf of the PWG, I would like to say a big thank you to the company for its commitment to veterinary wellness and EDI.”
Dr Iveta Becvarova, Director of Global Academic Affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says:
At Hill’s, we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment, in which we treat one another with respect and dignity. This is because we want everyone in our profession to feel confident that they can be their authentic selves; that they can reach their full potential in life and that they can help our profession to break new boundaries. This is why the work and mission of the PWG is so critical and we truly believe that it will continue to enhance the veterinary profession’s wellness and diversity, equity and inclusion worldwide.
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