Emotional Intelligence in Early-Career Veterinarians: A Study of Challenges and Opportunities
Veterinary work is notoriously emotional, and for early-career veterinarians, the emotional demands can take a toll on mental wellbeing. A recent study conducted in Canada explored the emotional experiences and emotional intelligence (EI) of early-career veterinarians in clinical practice. With an increasing focus on mental health in the veterinary profession, this research sheds light on the challenges faced by veterinarians and suggests potential ways to improve their emotional resilience and overall wellbeing.
Study Overview
The study involved 21 early-career veterinarians who graduated between 2016 and 2023. Through individual interviews conducted over Zoom, researchers explored the emotional challenges faced by these veterinarians, how they managed their emotions, and the role emotional intelligence played in their practice. The findings were analyzed using template analysis, identifying key themes that impacted mental health and emotional coping strategies in these early-career professionals.
Key Findings
The study identified three main themes:
Client Interactions as a Major Source of Emotional Distress
Difficult Conversations: Veterinarians frequently found themselves in emotionally charged interactions, particularly when discussing terminal diagnoses, euthanasia, and end-of-life care. The emotional distress from these situations was exacerbated by hostile or accusatory comments from clients, especially in cases where financial stress was involved. For instance, clients sometimes expressed guilt or anger, which veterinarians often internalized as personal attacks.
Financial Stress: The challenge of addressing clients' financial concerns—while trying to justify the costs of care—was also noted as a significant source of stress. Veterinarians often felt pressured to explain the costs in a way that clients could understand, but the misunderstanding of costs by clients led to feelings of frustration and hostility.
Limited Emotional Recognition and Expression
Many veterinarians struggled to recognize and manage their own emotions. In the fast-paced clinical environment, there was little time to reflect on emotional experiences, leading to emotional suppression or compartmentalization. The "emotional roller coaster" of veterinary practice, such as transitioning from a euthanasia case to a routine checkup with no time to process feelings, contributed to burnout and emotional fatigue.
Cultural expectations in veterinary practice also played a role. Veterinarians reported being taught to "control" their emotions and maintain professionalism, even when faced with intense feelings of grief or frustration. This stoic approach often led to emotional neglect, where their own feelings were put aside in favor of focusing on clients’ emotions.
Selective Application of Emotional Intelligence
While participants acknowledged the importance of emotional intelligence (EI), especially in client communication, most only practiced empathy, particularly when managing client emotions. However, when it came to managing their own emotions, veterinarians were less likely to apply EI skills.
Participants expressed the need for better EI training focused on self-awareness and self-regulation. Although some had developed coping strategies, such as self-reflection or seeking professional help like therapy, the application of EI for personal emotional management was less frequent compared to its use in managing clients' emotions.
Implications for Veterinary Practice
The findings of this study highlight the importance of emotional intelligence in the veterinary profession, particularly in protecting mental wellbeing and promoting emotional resilience. The study suggests that emotional intelligence training, which is currently focused on client communication, should be expanded to help veterinarians manage their own emotional experiences. Improved self-awareness and emotional regulation can prevent long-term negative effects, such as burnout and compassion fatigue, by enabling veterinarians to better handle the emotional demands of their work.
Moreover, the study stresses the need for systemic changes in the veterinary profession, including more support and time for emotional processing during and after client interactions. Veterinary schools and practices may consider integrating emotional intelligence training into their curriculums and professional development programs to ensure veterinarians are equipped to manage both their clients' emotions and their own.
Early-career veterinarians face significant emotional challenges in their practice, with client interactions being a prominent source of stress. The findings from this study underscore the need for enhanced training in emotional intelligence, particularly in managing self-emotions, to improve mental wellbeing in the veterinary profession. Addressing emotional intelligence in veterinary education and practice can help mitigate the emotional toll of veterinary work and ensure that veterinarians are better equipped to handle the emotional demands of their career, ultimately promoting both professional success and personal wellbeing.
