Veterinary education at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is highly demanding, with a significant portion of time dedicated to clinical practice to ensure students gain ample hands-on experience. However, concerns have been raised about the extensive hours required, which sometimes exceed the recommended guidelines, potentially impacting student health and patient care quality.
Challenges at Penn Vet
In August 2023, a cohort of students and recent alumni from Penn Vet formally addressed their concerns to the administration about the excessive work hours, which often surpassed 100 hours weekly as per a report in the Daily Pennsylvanian. These long hours were noted to potentially degrade both personal health and patient care standards, prompting a dialogue on the necessity of work hour regulations in veterinary settings.
Veterinary Student Experience
The primary phase for gaining practical experience in veterinary schools is during the clinical rotations in the final year. This phase can be particularly strenuous as students adjust to the complexities of real-world veterinary responsibilities. Historically, as noted by Dr. Bonnie Beaver from Texas A&M University, the expectation has been for veterinary students to endure long and demanding hours, a practice rooted deeply in tradition but now under scrutiny as awareness about the importance of personal wellbeing grows.
Institutional Responses and Adjustments
Penn Vet has initiated several strategies to improve conditions, including revising student duties, limiting work hours, and ensuring adequate rest. Furthermore, in response to the high stress associated with emergency cases and heavy caseloads, they’ve adopted measures such as distributing cases more evenly and enhancing off-call recovery times.
Comparative Insights from Human Medicine
The approach to work hours in human medicine, regulated by bodies such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), contrasts with the less stringent guidelines for veterinary students. This discrepancy highlights the evolving understanding of the impacts of intensive training demands on wellbeing in the medical field.
Advancements in Student Wellbeing
Penn Vet has been proactive in promoting student wellbeing by integrating a dedicated social work team into their program. This team is focused on creating support systems through wellbeing curriculums and debriefing groups. Additionally, the introduction of a full-time nursing staff recruiter is a step towards reducing workload by addressing staff shortages effectively.
Student-Led Initiatives and National Guidelines
Efforts to reform duty hours have been significantly influenced by student advocacy, exemplified by Tara Fellows Barron, president of the Student AVMA (SAVMA), who has championed the revision of SAVMA’s Duty Hours Guidelines. The guidelines advocate for a maximum of 80 hours per week, emphasizing the need for breaks and manageable on-call duties.
Conclusion
As veterinary schools like Penn Vet continue to adapt to the dual challenges of maintaining rigorous training standards and enhancing student wellbeing, the dialogue between students, educators, and administrators is crucial. By fostering an environment that balances professional training with health and wellbeing, veterinary colleges aim to prepare students for successful and sustainable careers in veterinary medicine.
