Largest ever study on veterinary workplace injuries finds some harms seen as ‘everyday norms’
New data from a significant study being conducted by the University of Liverpool and CVS, has suggested that there are wide-ranging perceptions of veterinary workplace injuries, with some harms seen as ‘everyday norms’.
The veterinary industry is considered one of the most dangerous professions. In the USA it is the second highest profession for non-fatal injuries, with equine vets sustaining eight serious injuries during their career[1].
Starting in 2022 ‘The context, consequence and prevention of veterinary workplace injuries: a qualitative and quantitative study in the UK’ study aims to explore the context, consequences and behaviours surrounding veterinary workplace injuries - to improve the safety of the profession.
An extensive cross-sectional survey has initially been conducted with 740 veterinary colleagues, broadly representative of the profession. Initial analysis has explored how injuries and their context are perceived by veterinary profession, as published in Occupational Medicine journal.
The overarching themes identified during this phase of analysis are:
- Injuries have become normalised, accepted and seen as everyday norms in veterinary practice - resulting in many not being reported;
- Differences in how injuries were defined, with small animal vets expecting injuries to involve blood, and equine/farm vets expecting them to reduce their ability to work or require the need for medical treatment;
- Equine and farm animal vets having a high threshold before acknowledging that an incident is a work-related injury. As such, dangerous events, such as kicks, are seen as ‘everyday’ events and are not deemed an injury, and so will not be reported.
- Many suggest all injuries should be reported, however minor injuries were often overlooked, for example needlestick injuries;
- A large proportion of colleagues (especially vets) see reporting injuries as too onerous;
- Injuries caused by staff themselves (e.g. trips) were less likely to be reported than injuries that could be blamed on an external factor (e.g. dog bite).
The results indicated that the veterinary industry should take note of the discrepancy of perception of what constitutes work-related injury, in its practices and reporting protocols. Therefore practices may need an individualised approach to minimise their workplace injuries; some may need to work on revisiting their ideas around acceptable risk, whilst others may be good at minimizing work-related harm, but have a complex or blame-associated reporting system which needs to be simplified. Fostering a work culture that supports ‘ownership’ of an injury at a local level is most likely to be successful in creating meaningful change in attitude and behaviour.
Dr. John Tulloch, Lecturer and European Specialist in Veterinary Public Health, at the University of Liverpool who is leading the research, said:
“Injuries that occur within veterinary practice can tragically at times be life-changing and are often avoidable. The objectives of this study are to understand how veterinary professionals define injuries and to understand what injuries they do or do not deem reportable. The results of this stage of the research have been both startling and complex. They highlight a profession in drastic need of cultural change and personal attitudes, with respect to injury prevention and mitigation.”
Dr. Imogen Schofield, Director of Clinical Research at CVS, said:
“Using these findings, we will be able to develop and strengthen injury prevention measures through safety policy, education, and training. We anticipate that this project will result in safer workplaces within the wider veterinary community and, indirectly, in improved animal treatment through a fitter, healthier and safer profession.”
The research results will now lead to the development of a suite of industry leading open-access educational tools, aimed at promoting injury awareness and prevention, to help drive behaviour change. They will focus on understanding why reporting injuries is important, how to develop a culture of accountability without blame, and when to seek medical attention and take time off work. They will also investigate how to encourage clients to be safety ambassadors, and how to empower colleagues in challenging situations - regarding restraint, aggressive patients and equine safety. In addition, they will look at improving cat handling via International Society of Feline Medicine training and Cat Friendly Clinic accreditation, facilitating a rise in usage of hard hats in equine, and raising awareness of the risks associated with sharps plus sharp bin provision.
‘The context, consequence and prevention of veterinary workplace injuries: a qualitative and quantitative study in the UK’ is supported by £74,400 of CVS funding as part of its Clinical Research Awards. Launched in January 2022, they are an industry first; offering funding for research undertaken by CVS employees and research undertaken by universities. The awards support clinical veterinary research which has a direct clinical benefit to animals and which will impact upon veterinary practice.