Veterinary burnout gets a reframing in new dvm360 commentary

Veterinary burnout gets a reframing in new dvm360 podcast commentary

A new dvm360 installment of The Resilient Vet argues that veterinary burnout may persist not because the profession lacks wellness education, but because many clinicians are still operating from external “shoulds” instead of personally meaningful reasons for change. In the November 19, 2025, commentary tied to The Vet Blast Podcast, Aaron Shaw, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS, and Jennifer Edwards, DVM, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP, say the next step is less about adding more information and more about helping veterinary professionals identify their underlying “why” and remove barriers to acting on it. The piece positions burnout as a problem shaped by culture and individual behavior patterns, not simply awareness gaps. (dvm360.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the message lands at a time when burnout remains a workforce issue even as some broader wellbeing indicators have improved. AVMA’s 2025 economic report shows burnout scores for associate veterinarians have trended down from pandemic highs, while relief veterinarians’ scores have been climbing. At the same time, industry efforts have increasingly emphasized structured support, mentorship, and workplace wellbeing programs, suggesting that information alone may not be enough without changes in culture, workflow, and accountability. (ebusiness.avma.org)

What to watch: Expect more discussion around whether veterinary wellbeing strategies should shift from awareness campaigns toward practice-level behavior change, mentorship, and culture design. (merck-animal-health-usa.com)