Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Half of vet professionals experienced online abuse in 2021
Female and younger vets were most likely to experience online abuse.

BVA launches campaign to support veterinary workplaces experiencing abuse from animal owners. 

The BVA is calling on vet teams to protect colleagues from client abuse as new figures show one in two vets experienced online abuse in 2021.

The association has launched a new campaign named: 'Respect your vet team – end abuse', which aims to support vets and veterinary workplaces who experience abuse from animal owners either in person on online.

Figures released from BVA's bi-annual Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey reveal that online abuse is almost as common as in-person abuse. Another survey conducted last year showed that 57 per cent of vets in clinical practice felt intimidated by clients' language or behaviour.

BVA President Justine Shotton said: “The current pressures on vet teams are immense, and it’s simply unacceptable that their jobs should be made even harder by abuse from clients, either online or in person.

"We’re very aware that a visit to the vet may be an anxious and uncertain time for animal owners, particularly when the prognosis is poor or the necessary treatment is costly, but it is absolutely unacceptable to take these frustrations out on veterinary staff. These figures show that such interactions are just as frequent, and just as damaging online as they are in person."

She continued: “I know from experience the huge impact that a single aggressive or intimidating interaction with a client can have on your mental wellbeing. When incidents mount up it is no surprise that they can affect our sense of job satisfaction and ultimately drive skilled veterinary staff out of the profession.”

The latest survey figures show that vets who had experienced online abuse in the past 12 months were more likely to report that they will have left the profession in five years to pursue another career. They also show that female vets (45 per cent versus 30 per cent male) and younger vets (49 per cent under 35 versus 27 per cent 55 and over) were more likely to experience online abuse. 

The most common form of abuse was unfair reviews, while almost half of those who had experienced online abuse had experienced abusive language. One in three vets experienced trolling, and three in ten experienced online harassment.

To help support vets in practice, BVA has published a toolkit with new resources, including practical tips on protecting staff from online abuse, downloadable posters, graphics and a series of blogs. BVA is also working with Vetlife to tackle the impact of abuse on mental health and wellbeing.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.