The Swedish Veterinary Association: Harder working environment makes veterinarians quit

- It has become a tougher work climate. There are higher demands on everything you should be able to do with the animals. There is extremely advanced veterinary care at the same time as it must not cost anything, says Susanna Sternberg Lewerin, member of the Swedish Veterinary Association.

SVT has previously reported that according to the employers' organization Swedish Veterinary Care, there will be a shortage of at least 365 veterinarians within the next year if the industry is to be able to grow in line with demand. Swedish veterinary care therefore wants to see at least a doubling of the 90 training places per year that currently exist for the veterinary profession.

The union is now reacting to the move. To only increase the number of training places is pointless according to the Swedish Veterinary Association, which wants more focus on making veterinarians want to stay in the profession.

According to the union, many veterinarians quit as a result of an unreasonable work environment. The Swedish Veterinary Association points to, among other things, increased expectations from pet owners.

- It has become much harder, you get chased on social media and it becomes drive. Veterinary students are afraid of this.

There is also a problem with ethical stress, says Susanna Sternberg Lewerin.

- The veterinarians want to save these animals, at the same time as it must not cost anything "and it is the veterinarian's fault if it is not possible".

- I do not think we have been involved in veterinary care there. There must be psychological support in these situations, says Susanna Sternberg Lewerin.

The Swedish Veterinary Association also points out on-call hours as a factor in veterinarians leaving their profession.

- It is very tough working hours in the places where you are open on call. And if you are not open on call, you contribute to it being tougher for the places that are open on call. The fewer people who work on call, the fewer can share the on-call time.