ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Animal
Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today
announced the results of a comprehensive study of wellbeing and
mental health among U.S. veterinarians, which are critical issues
facing the veterinary profession. Conducted in collaboration with
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Merck
Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study also examined job
satisfaction, compensation, burnout, substance use disorder,
cyberbullying and suicide among veterinarians while evaluating
potential solutions.
In this study, veterinarians rated job satisfaction highly,
saying, "I'm invested in my work and take pride in doing a good
job" and "My work makes a positive contribution to people's
lives."
Conversely, the study found that veterinarians are very
concerned about high stress levels (92%), high student debt (91%)
and suicide (89%) in the profession. Despite new awareness around
wellbeing and mental health in veterinary medicine, the study
showed veterinarian wellbeing on average has not improved since a
similar study was conducted in partnership with the AVMA and funded
by Merck Animal Health in 2017.
"Our research shows that attitudes toward mental health in the
veterinary field are improving, but we still have work to do as it
relates to treatment," said Judson
Vasconcelos, Ph.D., DVM, director, Veterinary and Consumer
Affairs for Merck Animal Health. "For example, this study found a
significant and positive change in caring toward those with mental
illness, but that there is still a large treatment gap, with half
of those surveyed experiencing distress and declining to seek
treatment. Through the years, we have partnered with the AVMA to
develop tools and resources to improve wellbeing within the
veterinary community and make veterinary medicine a stronger and
healthier profession. As a result of this study and the 2017 study,
we continue to work with the AVMA on programs to prioritize
self-care, invest in personal wellbeing and manage stress in
healthy ways."
Veterinarians are experiencing higher burnout
rates
Using the Mayo Clinic Physician Burnout and Wellbeing
Scale, the study found that veterinarians, despite working fewer
hours, had higher rates of burnout than physicians, scoring 3.1 on
the 7-point scale versus 2.24, a statistically significant
difference.
The Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study defined
wellbeing as the way an individual feels about his or her life, and
how it compares to their ideal life. The survey found that
wellbeing on average, was lower among younger veterinarians. "Not
working enough hours" also had a greater negative impact than
"working too many hours" among those surveyed.
Although the prevalence of serious psychological distress in
veterinarians was consistent with the general population of
employed U.S. adults, it was much more common in younger
veterinarians than in their older counterparts. While significant
strides have been made in positive attitudes toward those with
mental illness, half of those experiencing serious psychological
distress in the last year did not seek treatment.
More than half of veterinarians would not recommend a career
in their profession
The study found that 52% of
veterinarians would not recommend a career in the veterinary
profession. This was consistent with the 2017 study, citing high
student debt, low pay and stress as the main reasons.
Suicide prevention is critical
The study confirmed
similar research findings that veterinarians are much more likely
to think about suicide than non-veterinarians and are more than 2.7
times more likely to attempt suicide. In addition, the study found
that the percentage of veterinarians that considered suicide of
fellow veterinarians a critical issue facing the profession
increased 9% over the 2017 study, from 80% to 89%, respectively.
Female veterinarians have higher rates of suicide ideation than
their male counterparts, though male veterinarians are more likely
to attempt suicide. Also, female veterinarians experience higher
levels of serious psychological distress than their male
counterparts, with a statistically significant increase from 6.3%
in the 2017 study as compared to 8.1% in the 2019 study.
"This study affirms that more veterinarians are comfortable
discussing mental health-related topics, and there has been a
significant increase in the number of respondents who believe that
veterinarians are caring toward those with mental illness. That's
an incredibly positive shift in the last few years and suggests
that educational efforts to reduce stigma have had a measurable
impact," said Dr. John Howe,
president, AVMA. "In addition, this study links the data to
practical and realistic strategies that individuals and
organizations can apply to enhance wellbeing. As an organization
that serves veterinarians, our mission is to protect the health and
welfare of our members and the future of the profession. The more
clarity we have on contributing factors, the greater confidence we
have in developing resources that create a substantive
difference."
Solutions should be implemented for improvements in mental
health and wellbeing
The study provided techniques and
potential solutions to improve veterinary mental health and
wellbeing. Individuals are encouraged to create personal
stress-management plans, balance their work with healthy personal
activities, work with a financial planner, especially if carrying a
burdensome level of student debt, and limit time on social media in
favor of in-person interactions.
Veterinary practices should discuss stress and mental health
frequently and encourage employees to seek help if needed. Mental
health insurance coverage should be made known and employers should
consider creating Employee Assistance Programs if such programs are
not currently in place.
Merck Animal Health makes financial commitment to
AVMA
In support of AVMA's veterinary wellness
efforts, Merck Animal Health is making a second $100,000 commitment following up on the 2017
commitment to support AVMA's Workplace Wellbeing program and
resources.
"Merck Animal Health is proud to partner once again with AVMA on
this landmark study, which digs deeper into understanding the
challenges facing the veterinary profession," said Scott Bormann, senior vice president,
North America, Merck Animal
Health. "Our partnership with AVMA and the financial support we are
providing is helping AVMA bring critical awareness and solutions to
this very important matter and providing real solutions and
resources to better meet our veterinarians' needs."
Survey methodology
The online survey was conducted in
September and October 2019 by Brakke
Consulting, Inc. among a nationally representative sample of 2,871
veterinarians in the U.S., both practitioners and
non-practitioners, using standardized research methods. The
objectives were to continue to track the wellbeing and mental
health of veterinarians and benchmark findings against physicians
and the U.S. general population of employed adults. Data were
weighted based on age, gender and region of the U.S. For the sample
as a whole, the maximum margin of error is +/- 1.80% at a 95%
confidence level.
About Merck Animal Health
For more than a century,
Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been
inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for
many of the world's most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health,
a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal
health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to The
Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal
Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments
one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines
and health management solutions and services as well as an
extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability
and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to
preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of
animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in
dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global
supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50
countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets.
For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or
connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This
news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor
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the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be
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and internationally; global trends toward health care cost
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The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
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forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2018
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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's
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(www.sec.gov).
Merck
Media Contacts:
|
Pam
Eisele
+ 1
267-305-3558
Pamela.Eisele@merck.com
Tom
Schad
+1
913-667-5537
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|
Merck
Investor Contact:
|
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DeCarbo
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Michael.DeCarbo@merck.com
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SOURCE Merck Animal Health