Exploring Experiences of Veterinarians’ Well-Being in the Workplace

This thesis portfolio comprises three parts:Part One: Systematic Literature ReviewThe systematic literature review examined the experiences of individuals in the veterinary industry accessing interventions for poor mental health and well-being. Seven studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria following a systematic search of the literature. A thematic synthesis was undertaken to identify mental health-improving interventions. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Across the studies, key findings were that participants reported gaining useful tools, developing a deeper emotional understanding of themselves, and experiencing overall improvements in mental health and well-being. However, participants were less likely to maintain the skills learnt after the intervention, which may be linked to the busy environment they work in or other barriers. Clinical implications and further areas for research were discussed.Part Two: Empirical PaperThe empirical paper explores veterinarians’ experiences of morally challenging events at work. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA)methodology was employed, and ten participants completed semi-structured interviews. Three main themes were identified, these themes included organisational and systemic factors at work, risk to self from psychological distress, and moral and psychological challenges in veterinary practice. Participants expressed distress when faced with these events, which often contradicted the motivations that led them to enter the profession. This research contributes to the understanding of morally challenging experiences faced by veterinarians. Recommendations for further research are discussed, alongside the clinical implications.Part Three comprises the AppendicesThe appendices relate to the systematic literature review and empirical paper, including a reflective account of the research and a statement of epistemology.