Veterinary Workforce Crisis: Survey Reveals Surprising Solution to Alleviate Shortages – And It's Not What You Think!
In a comprehensive survey conducted by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) in 2023, the majority of North American veterinarians and veterinary technicians expressed support for better utilization of credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs) as a solution to workforce shortages, rather than creating a new midlevel practitioner (MLP) role.
The AAVSB, which includes licensing bodies from over 60 jurisdictions across the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the 10 Canadian provinces, fielded this survey to understand the current roles and responsibilities of veterinary technicians and to gauge the level of interest in an MLP position. This potential new role would overlap with the duties of both veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Nearly 14,000 veterinary professionals, including a significant 61% of veterinary technicians, responded to the survey. Most respondents (79%) work in companion animal exclusive practices, with half of them located in suburban areas, followed by urban (32%) and rural (18%) regions.
Two major veterinary organizations have declared that there is no overwhelming support for the creation of an MLP position among their members at this time. Instead, they will focus on the enhanced utilization and expanded roles for veterinary technicians.
“Our commitment remains to public protection and ensuring accessible, quality veterinary care. The survey data demonstrates that veterinary technicians can and should be utilized more extensively to address gaps in veterinary care before a midlevel veterinary practitioner can be considered,” said Dr. Kim Gemeinhardt, AAVSB president, in a June 19 press release. Consequently, the AAVSB has decided not to support legislative and regulatory efforts to create an MLP.
Veterinary Management Groups (VMG), a professional organization for practice owners focused on the business aspects of their practices, also conducted a survey in 2024 regarding the creation of an MLP. The feedback was overwhelmingly negative.
VMG members voiced several concerns about the MLP role, including:
Nonveterinarians performing surgeries, posing risks and potential complications.
A decline in care quality, leading to improper diagnoses or malpractice, and devaluing the veterinary degree.
Financial challenges, as the creation of MLPs could dilute revenue streams, making it harder for veterinarians to pay off student loans and potentially saturating the market with an oversupply of MLPs.
The perception that the push for MLPs is driven by interests in lowering labor costs rather than addressing a genuine need.
Instead, respondents suggested several alternatives to the MLP role:
Improving and properly leveraging CrVTs.
Pushing for universal licensure of veterinary technicians before creating new roles.
Focusing on expanding and enhancing veterinary technician specialist programs for more specialized technician roles.
Increasing pay and support for current veterinary technicians.
The data from these surveys underscore the importance of utilizing the skills and expertise of CrVTs more effectively. By expanding their roles and responsibilities, the veterinary profession can address workforce shortages and improve the quality of care without introducing new, potentially controversial roles.
As the veterinary industry continues to evolve, the focus on better utilization of existing resources, particularly CrVTs, may prove to be the most effective way to ensure high-quality care for animals while maintaining professional standards and economic stability within the field.
