New course launched on workplace civility
“We know from research that incivility may lead to errors and compromise patient safety” – Rapinder Newton.
A new course looking at ways to create a civil workplace has been launched for veterinary professionals.
The Civility Fundamentals course has been developed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative and is available as part of the RCVS Academy.
The course looks at the role of civility in creating a positive, respectful and supportive workplace for individuals, teams, and clients. Topics covered include managing rudeness from clients and colleagues and practical tools that any member of the veterinary team can use to help foster a culture of respect.
The content builds on a guide for veterinary staff on dealing with rudeness created by Amy Irwin, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Aberdeen.
Dr Irwin and her team have studied the long-term negative effects that incivility from both clients and coworkers can have on veterinary staff. They found that it reduced job satisfaction and wellbeing, raised the risk of burnout, and increased intentions to quit. It even led to some veterinary professionals leaving the sector.
Rapinder Newton, Mind Matters lead, said: “We know from research that incivility may lead to errors and compromise patient safety. We also know that experiencing incivility impacts mental health and is associated with deceased job satisfaction.
“This course has been designed to help tackle incivility, and give the veterinary community the skills, knowledge and confidence to not only tackle incivility but also create positive and civil workplace cultures.”
Dr Irwin added: “I am thrilled to see the content from our guide, which was a collaboration between academics and veterinary professionals, being applied in such a fantastic course.”
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The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
