What Being a Veterinarian Really Takes | Melanie Bowden, DVM | TEDxCoeurdalene

Summary

Dr. Bowden, a veterinarian, shares the emotional and professional challenges faced by vets, including long hours, high debt, and compassion fatigue. She highlights the importance of understanding the financial and emotional aspects of pet ownership, advocating for pet insurance, and annual veterinary check-ups. Dr. Bowden also addresses the alarming suicide rates within the profession, urging compassion and empathy from pet owners. Her goal is to foster better understanding and partnership between veterinarians and pet owners for the well-being of pets.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Becoming a veterinarian is a long and arduous process, often taking over a decade of education and training.
• 💰 The financial burden of becoming a veterinarian is significant, with the speaker mentioning a 'brain mortgage' of $286,000 from student loans alone.
• 👩‍⚕️ The veterinary profession is predominantly female, with 60% of veterinarians being female, a trend that has been growing.
• 🚶‍♂️ There is a concerning attrition rate in the veterinary field, with more veterinarians leaving the profession than entering, partly due to burnout and compassion fatigue.
• 🔫 A shockingly high suicide rate among veterinarians is highlighted, with 10% of those who have died since 2010 having committed suicide, particularly among small animal veterinarians.
• 🐶 The emotional toll of the job is immense, as veterinarians often have to deal with the death of pets and the grief of their owners, which can lead to mental health issues.
• 📅 A typical day in a veterinary practice is fast-paced and emotionally challenging, involving emergency cases, client interactions, and managing a full schedule.
• 💼 The role of a veterinarian extends beyond medical expertise to include counseling, education, financial advice, and team leadership.
• 💔 Negative client interactions can deeply impact veterinarians, contributing to feelings of failure and emotional distress.
• 🏥 The speaker advocates for pet owners to be proactive about their pet's health, including regular check-ups and financial planning for potential medical expenses.
• 🤝 The importance of a supportive community and open conversations about the challenges faced by veterinarians is emphasized, as well as the need for pet owners to understand the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Q & A

How long did it take the speaker to become a veterinarian?

It took the speaker ten years to become a veterinarian, which included four years of undergraduate work, two years of post-bacc studies, and three years of lecture and lab work followed by a rotating year in clinics.

What is the approximate amount of student loan the speaker took for their education?

The speaker took approximately $286,000 in student loans, which they affectionately refer to as their 'brain mortgage.'

What is the speaker's monthly payment for their student loans, and how long will they be paying it off?

The speaker's monthly payment is $1,100, and they will be paying it off for the next 30 years, with their last payment due when they are 62.

What is the current gender distribution among veterinarians?

60% of veterinarians are now female, breaking the 50-50 mark when the speaker was a sophomore.

What is the current attrition rate among veterinarians?

The attrition rate among veterinarians is about 5%, with more veterinarians leaving the field than entering it each year.

What is the suicide rate among veterinarians?

Since 2010, 10% of veterinarians who have died committed suicide, with 75% of those being small animal veterinarians.

How many of the speaker's friends, who are also veterinarians, have committed suicide since their graduation in 2016?

Three of the speaker's friends who are veterinarians have committed suicide since their graduation in 2016.

What is the typical work schedule for veterinarians?

The majority of veterinarians are scheduled for 50 hours of work a week, but they often end up working far more than that due to additional responsibilities like phone calls and connecting with clients.

Why do many veterinarians need second jobs?

Many veterinarians need second jobs because their primary job often requires them to work more hours than scheduled, and they may also need to pick up extra relief shifts.

What are some of the roles veterinarians are expected to play in addition to their medical training?

In addition to their medical training, veterinarians are expected to be counselors, educators, financial advisers, and team leaders. They are also the face and reputation of their business.

What is the speaker's advice for pet owners regarding pet insurance and financial planning?

The speaker recommends that pet owners get pet insurance or start a savings account for their animals to prepare for the inevitable medical expenses that come with pet ownership.

Why does the speaker discourage giving pets as gifts?

The speaker discourages giving pets as gifts because pets are a financial commitment and require time, love, socialization, training, exercise, and mental stimulation. They believe it's important for pet owners to be fully prepared for these responsibilities.

What is the speaker's suggestion for maintaining a proactive approach to pet health?

The speaker suggests that pet owners should partner with their veterinarian and see them every year for an exam, even if the pet appears healthy. This helps in early detection of diseases, which can be more treatable and sometimes reversible.