CuraLinc’s tailored approach for veterinary professionals supports their wellbeing and emotional fitness by providing timely access to care and resources.

Veterinarians and other pet care workers are experiencing higher stress levels than ever before. According to a recent study conducted jointly by Merck Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 9.7% of veterinarians experienced serious psychological distress last year and nearly one in six vets has considered suicide. Additionally, nearly half of respondents (49.6%) reported high levels of burnout.  The high levels of daily stress faced by veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians (RVTs), practice managers and support staff places them at an elevated risk for mental health concerns and can be linked to several negative consequences, including:

  • Mental and physical burnout

  • Veterinary medical errors

  • Compassion fatigue

  • Alcohol/drug abuse and addiction

  • Turnover

Common Stressors

  • Staff shortages

  • Excessive caseload

  • Ethically challenging situations (ECS)

  • Rude/disrespectful clients

  • Changing protocols

  • Extended shifts

With this in mind, CuraLinc provides veterinary clients with tailored resources and flexible plan design options that prevent burnout and help employees boost their emotional fitness and wellbeing. In addition, beyond the features and resources found in the employee assistance program (EAP) model for clients in all industries, CuraLinc’s programs for veterinary clients delivers specialized support when the negative effect of stress impacts job performance and productivity. Additional features include:

  • Impaired Professional Program (IPP). IPP was designed with the needs of medical professionals such as veterinarians in mind.  This program, which is included in the EAP model for all veterinary clients, provides a single designated point of contact, an initial assessment offered within 48 hours, referrals to specialty treatment programs and doctorate-level providers who have experience working with medical professionals to resolve personal and work-related concerns - as well as confidential compliance reports, including compliance with any aftercare recommendations, for up to 12 months.

  • Workplace Safety Consultation. Clinics and other veterinary care settings commonly experience issues that threaten workplace safety, ranging from occupational hazards such as zoonotic diseases, bites, hazardous drugs, needlestick injuries and noise, to rude, disruptive or aggressive clients to a local crisis. CuraLinc provides expert consultation and, when necessary, onsite critical incident response resources to improve workplace safety and mitigate the negative effects of dangerous situations.

  • Internal Integration. CuraLinc will work with internal veterinary practice leaders to propagate EAP messaging to employees who can benefit from counseling and work-life resources.

  • EAP Technology Suite. Veterinary workers, who are typically astute EAP consumers, can chat live with licensed mental health clinicians, schedule video counseling and connect with the program through the digital behavioral health platform.

For more information, contact your CuraLinc representative or request additional details about CuraLinc’s approach for veterinary clients here.