‘I’m not just a vet, I’m also a human.’ A qualitative interview study on boundary management between work and private life among small animal veterinarians

The study identified that the veterinarians have to deal with conflicting private and professional appointments, accessibility outside of opening hours through information and communication technologies, professional concerns occupying the veterinarian's private life and unwanted insights into the animal owners' lives. Coping strategies show that veterinarians are willing to integrate professional aspects into their private lives and accept accompanying negative consequences because they are convinced that they are acting in the best interest of the animals. At the same time, boundary management for veterinarians means a conscious demarcation from the animal owner along temporal, physical and psychological boundaries, e.g., ensuring that the relationship remains a professional business relationship and does not become too personal. In addition, our data suggest that previous negative experiences of a lack of work-life balance led to stricter boundaries and more of a "self-care" mindset.