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METHODS: A survey of veterinary personnel in Minnesota was conducted by questionnaire. Participants completed either a web-based or hard copy survey assessing their exposures to occupational hazards in the past 12 months, during formal veterinary training (if applicable), and throughout their career to date. Physical, infectious disease, musculoskeletal, chemical, respiratory, reproductive, and psychosocial hazards were addressed. Data were entered into an excel database and analyzed using SAS enterprise.
RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-six individuals responded to the survey, comprising approximately 13% of the veterinary professionals in the state: 418 veterinarians, 353 veterinary technicians, 78 practice managers and office staff, 28 veterinary assistants, and 71 in other miscellaneous positions. The median age of respondents was 39 years and 79% were female. Two hundred ninety-six (33%) respondents sustained a significant animal or equipment-related injury, and 248 (28%) believed they had acquired a zoonotic disease during their career as a result of their work. Three hundred thirteen (35%) respondents reported acquiring a musculoskeletal disorder in their career, with 33 (10%) reporting that they changed their career focus as a result. Three hundred (42%) of the 707 female respondents were pregnant at some point in their career. Of these, 278 (93%) indicated taking extra precautions while pregnant; however, 246 (82%) reported participating in a task that could have negatively affected their pregnancy, such as restraining animals for radiographs [77 (26%)], performing surgeries [95 (32%)], and/or recovering animals from surgery [160 (54%)] in which inhalation anesthetics were used. Effects of the workplace environment on mental health were also assessed. Two hundred ninety-nine (34%) respondents reported that workplace stress negatively affected their well-being in the past year.
CONCLUSIONS: Minnesota veterinary personnel are exposed to a variety of hazards because of their work. Of note, a majority of female personnel reported taking additional precautions while pregnant, but also reported participating in activities that could have negatively impacted their pregnancy, indicating a possible disconnect between their beliefs and actions. Equally concerning was that a third of respondents indicated they experienced negative consequences related to stress in the workplace in the past year. Despite these findings, 89% of respondents reported being happy working in the veterinary profession.