Burnout and Compassion Fatigue among Veterinarians: How Reiki Can Help Restore Well-Being
- M.V. Claudia Barbieri
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
Veterinary medicine is a noble and essential profession, which plays a fundamental role in the health and well-being of animals and, consequently, in the well-being of human beings. This does not mean, however, that there are no challenges, and veterinary professionals are not immune to the mental health problems imposed by the routine of this profession.
Over the years, I have noticed that the stress that is part of everyday veterinary life generates numerous physical, mental and emotional health problems. Many veterinary colleagues don't know exactly how to deal with it and end up leaving the profession prematurely or, worse still, facing depression and even suicide attempts. That's why I decided to write this article, not only to warn about this issue and its consequences, but also to show that there are very effective tools for dealing with it. In it, we'll look at burnout and compassion fatigue, mentioning some causes, consequences and ways to help professionals overcome these challenges.
But what exactly is burnout and compassion fatigue?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when a person feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet ongoing demands. As the stress persists, the person begins to lose the interest and motivation that led them to take on a particular job, which reduces productivity and consumes energy, making them feel increasingly helpless, hopeless and resentful. Eventually, they reach a point where they feel they have nothing left to offer. Among the symptoms of burnout are depersonalization, i.e. insensitivity and emotional dullness, feelings of exhaustion and emotional wear and tear, lack of energy and enthusiasm, low professional and personal achievement, and feelings of frustration and tension.
Compassion Fatigue, on the other hand, is a syndrome with symptoms very similar to burnout, but which stems from constant compassion and care for others. Over time, this causes a decline in the professional's ability to experience joy and satisfaction. Compassion fatigue includes biological, psychological and social exhaustion, which can affect individuals who release psychic energy in the form of compassion to other human beings for a period of time without feeling sufficiently rewarded. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, dissociation, numbness, isolation, hypervigilance, sleep problems, crying, and generally develop over time.
Although burnout and compassion fatigue are not exclusive to veterinarians, in this profession, several factors contribute to the high rates of these problems. Veterinarians deal on a daily basis not only with the suffering of animals, but also with issues related to the owners, not only in terms of expectations, but also with problems in the family where the animal lives, which often make healing difficult. In addition, there is the financial issue, as the vast majority of vets are paid less than the demands and responsibilities of their job, and face extremely strenuous workloads.
All these factors mean that vets are at greater risk of mental and emotional health problems than other professionals. But the consequences of burnout and compassion fatigue among vets go beyond the individual themselves. But the consequences of burnout and compassion fatigue among veterinarians go beyond the individual themselves. These professionals often report physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, decreased professional performance and poorer patient care. In addition, veterinarians with mental and emotional health difficulties may experience problems with decision-making, communicating with clients and maintaining effective relationships with co-workers. This can create a cycle of worsening stress and burnout, leading to a further deterioration in mental well-being and career satisfaction. It's also important to note that vets, as a group, tend to underestimate the treatment of emotional and mental health conditions.
Effective ways to promote mental and emotional health and prevent burnout and compassion fatigue can include psychological support, developing coping skills and promoting a healthy work environment, requiring a multi-faceted approach that includes individual and systemic changes. In addition to seeking opportunities for mental and emotional development, it is essential that veterinarians seek integrative therapies that provide self-care and self-knowledge in order to improve their own well-being and, consequently, their professional performance. This is because we must first heal ourselves in order to be able to help and heal others. And in this sense, Reiki is an excellent tool that can make a very effective contribution to these professionals.
But what is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that balances the body's biofield and can awaken the capacity for self-healing. The word Reiki has Japanese origins and can be interpreted as “spiritual awareness combined with the universal life force”. This vital force, or “qi”, can be interrupted in the human body, causing imbalances on a spiritual or emotional level, which can turn into dysfunctional energy patterns, leading to imbalances and illnesses.
Thus, it can be a valuable tool in combating burnout in veterinarians, as it promotes relaxation, reduces stress and improves mental clarity, helping to restore the emotional and physical well-being of these professionals. In addition, it helps to release blockages and reduces feelings of burnout and compassion fatigue, allowing vets to focus and rebalance, encouraging them to nurture their own well-being and then care for their patients more effectively. Regular Reiki sessions can increase resilience, improve sleep and promote a greater sense of inner peace.
Currently, there are only a few published scientific articles that address the effects of Reiki on burnout and compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals. Currently, there are only a few published scientific articles that address the effects of Reiki on burnout and compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals, but these studies are of high quality and show promising results. In any case, being a veterinarian and Reiki Master myself and having faced many challenges over the years, I firmly believe that Reiki, more than a powerful tool to help deal with the challenges of this profession in a more balanced way, is a lifestyle and provides an opportunity for relevant personal and professional growth. This is because our inner balance is reflected in clearer thinking and, consequently, more effective and compassionate care, which is an excellent way of looking after ourselves and our beloved animals.
References:
1. Baldwin AL. Reiki in Clinical Practice: A Science-Based Guide. 1st ed. East Lothian: Handspring Publishing; 2020:13-29.
2. Gyles C. Surprising new findings on veterinarians' mental health and well-being. Can Vet J. 2018 Oct;59(10):1041-1043.
3. Harrison K. Compassion Fatigue: Understanding Empathy. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2021 Sep;51(5):1041-1051. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.020. Epub 2021 Jul 1.
4. Ho NT, Santoro F, Palacios Jimenez C, Pelligand L. Cross-sectional survey of sleep, fatigue and mental health in veterinary anaesthesia personnel. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2023 Jul;50(4):315-324. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.03.003. Epub 2023 Mar 22.
5. Natale G., Reconnecting to NursingThrough Reiki. Creative Nursing, Volume 16, Issue 4, 2010.
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