Research

Examining the dimensions and correlates of workplace stress among Australian veterinarians

Derek R Smith^1,2 , Peter A Leggat^2,1 , Richard Speare² and Maureen Townley-Jones³

¹  WorkCover New South Wales Research Centre of Excellence, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, 2258, Australia

²  Anton Breinl Centre for Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Australia

³  School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, 2258, Australia

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 2009, 4:32doi:10.1186/1745-6673-4-32

Published:	8 December 2009

Abstract

Background

Although stress is known to be a common occupational health issue in the veterinary profession, few studies have investigated its broad domains or the internal validity of the survey instrument used for assessment.

Methods

We analysed data from over 500 veterinarians in Queensland, Australia, who were surveyed during 2006-07.

Results

The most common causes of stress were reported to be long hours worked per day, not having enough holidays per year, not having enough rest breaks per day, the attitude of customers, lack of recognition from the public and not having enough time per patient. Age, gender and practice type were statistically associated with various aspects of work-related stress. Strong correlations were found between having too many patients per day and not having enough time per patient; between not having enough holidays and long working hours; and also between not enough rest breaks per day and long working hours. Factor analysis revealed four dimensions of stress comprising a mixture of career, professional and practice-related items. The internal validity of our stress questionnaire was shown to be high during statistical analysis.

Conclusion

Overall, this study suggests that workplace stress is fairly common among Australian veterinarians and represents an issue that occupies several distinct areas within their professional life.