Understanding Compassion Fatigue in the Veterinary Profession: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Research Analysis

Those in the veterinary field are dedicated to improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals, and therefore many veterinary professionals experience mental health issues, more specifically, compassion fatigue. With veterinarians having one of the highest rates of suicide, its imperative to understand what factors in the veterinary profession contribute to the decline of emotional wellbeing in the field. This paper explores the causes, impacts and possible solutions for compassion fatigue on veterinary professionals. In order to closely assess these factors, an extensive literature review and a small online survey was conducted to determine how veterinary professionals viewed their mental health in regards to their work. This literature review covers topics of mental health, and specifically compassion fatigue in veterinary workers and animal shelter workers. While compassion fatigue is the primary focus, factors such as burnout, depression, anxiety and work-life balance are examined in the survey, providing a more holistic perspective and understanding of mental health in the veterinary workplace. Additionally, this paper investigates potential methods to mitigate compassion fatigue and promote resilience among veterinary professionals. Through analyzing current literature alongside the research performed, it was found that compassion fatigue is almost inevitable in the veterinary profession, and is more prevalent in those who are newer to the field. Compassion fatigue is exacerbated by lack of resources from management, while feeling overworked and underpaid. It's suggested that veterinary companies provide therapeutic resources that specialize in compassion fatigue, while also interacting with their employees more, such as monthly check-ins or more team bonding activities.