Reviving Vet Med Dr. Marie Holowaychuk

Have you ever experienced feeling that you have somehow fooled everyone else around you into thinking you are smarter or more capable than you really are? Research demonstrates that just over two-thirds of veterinarians experience imposter syndrome, which is more common among female veterinarians and those in practice for less than 5 years. Imposter syndrome can be an excruciating experience for many professionals and can have dramatic consequences on a person’s wellbeing.


In this episode, we discuss the definition of imposter syndrome, predisposing factors and groups most impacted, who it impacts in veterinary medicine, and the different ways that it shows up in individuals’ personal and professional lives. We’ll finish by discussing practical and tangible ways to reduce imposter syndrome including quieting the inner critic. This is an episode you will want to share with others in your life who also experience feeling like a fraud. 


Resources


Blog: If I’m Such a Successful Veterinarian, Why Do I Feel Like a Fraud? https://marieholowaychuk.com/2018/04/04/im-successful-veterinarianthen-feel-like-fraud/ 


Article: Veterinarians and impostor syndrome: an exploratory study (Vet Rec 2020): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32571984/ 


Book: Why do I feel like an imposter? How to understand and cope with imposter syndrome (by Dr. Sandi Mann)


Podcast: Do you feel like an imposter? (Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris): https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/valerie-young-574 


Newsletter
 
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 


Online Programs
 
To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/.  


Questions or Suggestions


Email podcast@revivingvetmed.com 

The ways in which veterinary teams communicate can have a tremendous impact on their wellbeing. Research demonstrates that team members that work within an environment with effective communication have lower burnout scores and higher levels of job satisfaction compared to those who work in an environment with ineffective communication. Likewise, candid and open communication among team members is one of the four main components of a healthy work environment identified in the Merck Animal Health Wellbeing Study III, which is also linked with lower burnout and psychological distress among team members. 
In this episode, we discuss the benefits of healthy team communication and how to achieve that with curiosity and compassion. We cover different strategies for compassionate communication, as adapted from the non-violent communication model. From empathy to genuine apologies, there are helpful strategies here for all veterinary team members to apply in their work and home lives.


Resources


Article: The role of veterinary team effectiveness in job satisfaction and burnout in companion animal veterinary clinics (JAVMA 2014): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25148093/ 


Article: Executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study III and Veterinary Support Staff Study (JAVMA 2022): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35943942/ 


Book: Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life (by Marshall Rosenberg). 


To Watch the Video Version of this Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcMSIENw6YI 


Newsletter
 
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 


Online Programs
 
To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/   


Questions or Suggestions


Email podcast@revivingvetmed.com 

Work-life balance is the ever-talked-about-but-seemingly-elusive concept that we all appear to be striving for but without knowing how to actually get it. It is cited as one of the top stressors impacting veterinarians and, for many veterinary team members, is one of the top reasons for feeling dissatisfied with work. 




In this episode, we debunk misconceptions about work-life balance, discuss recognizing imbalance, and explore honoring generational differences in the approach to work and home life. We cover the definition of work-life separation, as well as practical tips to practice it. From energy to time management, this episode offers actionable advice for veterinary professionals at any career stage.




Resources




For a visual of the Life-Balance Matrix and Eisenhauer Box, please download this free PDF: https://revivingvetmed.com/timemanagement 
 



Time management hacks for busy veterinary professionals (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/time-management-hacks-for-busy-veterinary-professionals/ 




Newsletter




For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 




Online Programs




To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/.  




Questions or Suggestions




Email podcast@revivingvetmed.com 

The holidays are here and while this time of year is exciting and energizing for many people, it can be exhausting and illness-provoking for others. According to the American Psychological Association, more than one-third of people surveyed during the holidays report an increase in their stress level due to time constraints, financial concerns, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and, of course, family gatherings. 
It’s important that we don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of traveling, buying presents, entertaining family and friends, or attending parties, without also taking steps to preserve our mental and physical health. In this episode, we share ten practical and evidence-based strategies for reducing stress, including ways to incorporate them into your busy holiday season.


Resources
Ten Tips for Staying Well This Holidays Season (Blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/ten-tips-for-staying-well-this-holiday-season/ 


Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to my e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 


Online Programs
To learn more about my 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/.  


Questions or Suggestions
Email podcast@revivingvetmed.com 

Stress, an inherent part of the veterinary profession, and one of the leading concerns among surveyed veterinary teams, can manifest both as eustress, beneficial for personal growth, and distress, leading to chronic exhaustion and overwhelming emotions. Research shows that veterinary professionals who have healthy strategies for coping with stress, are much less likely to experience psychological distress, which can manifest as symptoms of depression or anxiety.  
In this episode, we differentiate eustress from distress, and share information from the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study III that uncovers the importance of having a healthy method for coping with stress. We unpack some of those methods, why they are beneficial, and offer strategies to help you incorporate those activities into your daily life.


Resources
Navigating the Stop Stressors in Veterinary Practice (Blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/navigating-the-top-stressors-in-veterinary-practice/ 
Executive Summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study III and Veterinary Support Staff Study (Journal Article): https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/260/12/javma.22.03.0134.xml  
Volunteering Fosters Mental Health and Wellbeing (Podcast): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/10874177-volunteering-fosters-mental-health-and-wellbeing-episode-11-reviving-vet-med 


Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to my e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 


Online Programs
 To learn more about my 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, including my popular program Building Better Boundaries, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/.  


Questions or Suggestions 
Email podcast@revivingvetmed.com 

Toxic behaviors have deep-seated impacts on our wellbeing in veterinary medicine. Systematic changes, clear expectations, workload balancing, and candid communication are crucial to crafting a productive and safer work environment. 
In this bonus episode, I am interviewed by Dr. Stacey Cordivano, equine practitioner and host of The Whole Veterinarian podcast. During the episode, we discuss the influence of individual attitudes on a team's environment and dive deeply into the role that leadership needs to play in creating a safer and more open veterinary workplace.


Subscribe and Follow
The Whole Veterinarian podcast: https://thewholeveterinarian.com/podcast/ 
The Whole Veterinarian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewholeveterinarian/ 


Resources
Exploring the impact of toxic attitudes and a toxic environment on the veterinary healthcare team (article): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4688347/ 
The role of veterinary team effectiveness in job satisfaction and burnout in companion animal veterinary clinics (article): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25148093/ 


Quiz
Is Your Workplace Healthy or Toxic? https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/survey/isyourworkplacetoxic 


Online Programs
To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/


Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 


Questions or Suggestions
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com