Suicides and deaths of undetermined intent among veterinary professionals from 2003 through 2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To analyze data for death of veterinary professionals and veterinary students, with manner of death characterized as suicide or undetermined intent from 2003 through 2014. SAMPLE Death records for 202 veterinary professionals and veterinary students. PROCEDURES Decedents employed as veterinarians, veterinary technicians or technologists, or veterinary assistants or laboratory animal caretakers and veterinary students who died by suicide or of undetermined intent were identified through retrospective review of National Violent Death Reporting System records. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and mechanisms and circumstances of death were compared among veterinary occupational groups. RESULTS 197 veterinary professionals and 5 veterinary students had deaths by suicide or of undetermined intent. Among decedents employed at the time of death, SMRs for suicide of male and female veterinarians (1.6 and 2.4, respectively) and male and female veterinary technicians or technologists (5.0 and 2.3, respectively) were significantly greater than those for the general US population, whereas SMRs for suicide of male and female veterinary assistants or laboratory animal caretakers were not. Poisoning was the most common mechanism of death among veterinarians; the drug most commonly used was pentobarbital. For most (13/18) veterinarians who died of pentobarbital poisoning, the death-related injury occurred at home. When decedents with pentobarbital poisoning were excluded from analyses, SMRs for suicide of male and female veterinarians, but not veterinary technicians or technologists, did not differ significantly from results for the general population. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested higher SMRs for suicide among veterinarians might be attributable to pentobarbital access. Improving administrative controls for pentobarbital might be a promising suicide prevention strategy among veterinarians; however, different strategies are likely needed for veterinary technicians or technologists.

Veterinary Technicians and Occupational Burnout

“…Veterinary professionals' high rates of stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion (31) are especially alarming given the fact that male veterinarians' suicide rates are 2.1 times as high and female veterinarians are 3.5 times as high as the general U.S. population (32). They are also more likely to die from suicide than other health care professionals (33). Perhaps even more staggering are the rates of suicidal ideation (seriously thinking of taking one's own life) among veterinarians.…”

Assessment of Controlled Substance Distribution to U.S. Veterinary Teaching Institutions From 2006 to 2019

“…Pentobarbital is a standard agent for euthanasia and may be an option for seizures that are refractory to other treatments (31). This increase in pentobarbital is of particular concern since veterinarians are more likely than the general population to die by suicide (34) with poisoning being the most common mechanism of death and pentobarbital the most frequent agent (6). This disturbing fact has prompted calls for improved pentobarbital storage practices (35).…”

Assessment of Controlled Substance Distribution to U.S. Veterinary Teaching Institutions from 2006 to 2019

“…The United States continues to be adversely impacted by an iatrogenic opioid epidemic with overdoses continuing to increase (1)(2)(3). This has prompted heightened vigilance of Schedule II prescription patterns as these agents have legitimate medical uses (4) but also misuse potential (5)(6).…”

“…Pentobarbital is a standard agent for euthanasia and may be an option for seizures that are refractory to other treatments (30). This increase in pentobarbital is of particular concern since veterinarians are more likely than the general population to die by suicide (33) with poisoning being the most common mechanism of death and pentobarbital the most frequent agent (6). This disturbing fact has prompted calls for improved pentobarbital storage practices (34).…”