Over the last 10 years, our profession has progressed significantly. We have instant access to our professional community on social media, in webinars, digital journals, articles and continuing education. The greatest minds, and leaders in our field are able to share their knowledge and wisdom to a global audience. Our awareness of the diversity and scope of our profession is developing a tighter community, improving our networking and enhancing professionalism of our industry across the world.
While we are benefitting from instant access to knowledge and mentorship, we also have access to global demographic data. We know more today about our profession than we ever have. Surveys conducted by veterinary organisations around the world have given us insights into our average age, experience, education, job satisfaction, and salary. Surprisingly, the numbers around the world indicate that our various countries are quite similar. We share some of the same issues and trends.
What is disappointing across the world, and throughout the veterinary industry as a whole, is the stark reality of our low wages and high incidence of mental illness. Compared with other healthcare professions or other occupations with similar levels of education and responsibility, the data show relatively low salaries for veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and other allied veterinary professionals. It is a widespread issue that is having a devastating effect on the sustainability of our profession.
Qualified and skilled workers are leaving the profession. There is substantial evidence that shows we have a global shortage of veterinarians, and now we are seeing a shortage extend to veterinary nursing as well. There continues to be a high number of students seeking to enter the profession, but with the relatively low numbers of training practices, meeting the demand for student training can be a challenge; and there are moral issues we need to consider when these students are paying for education but not get sufficient wages when they become qualified and employed.
Animals around the world are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Agriculture, sport horses, pets, zoos, and wildlife are all a vital part of our culture, environment, and our economy. Healthcare for these animals is an essential aspect to their welfare so how and why are we deficient in compensation for our animal healthcare providers? How do we create a more profitable and sustainable veterinary industry?
The data and statistics about skills attrition are difficult to iron out but it seems clear that if we are to address the issues, we need to be aware of the scope of the problem. We need better research into this issue. We need to know patient to nurse ratios, vet to nurse ratios, and whether there are economic benefits from establishing multidisciplinary teams that share responsibility for patient care. We need insights into successful profit models, and examples of sustainable team culture that supports staff wellness and mental health.
There are discussions cropping up around the world about veterinary unionisation and with more corporate practices in the mix, this may be part of our near future, but it is more than salaries and it is affecting more than just veterinary nurses. Until we have answers, we need to retain the compassionate and skilled workers we have. We need to be active now in promoting the value of the services we provide and ensure all of us are getting a living wage and compensation for our level of education and experience.
We hope you enjoy this issue.