Effects of embedded Acceptance and Commitment Training in DVM and RVT programs as students transition into the workforce

Project Summary/Abstract This is an R01 application to prospectively evaluate an asynchronously-delivered intervention (“Unburdened”) that targets reactivity to difficult client interactions, adapted for students and embedded into veterinary technician (RVT) and medicine (DVM) training programs. The field of veterinary medicine is experiencing a mental health crisis; evidence-based approaches to reduce occupational distress are critically needed. One key mechanism for occupational distress in this field is “burden transfer,” or reactivity to challenging interactions with veterinary clients. Our team developed an Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) intervention specifically targeting burden transfer; randomized trials show it reduces stress and burnout for veterinary workers across live and asynchronous delivery methods. Our data also show benefits of this intervention up to 1 year later, as well as high rates of acceptability in RVT and DVM students. We will adapt the Unburdened intervention for student use in an easily-shared format and embed it into RVT and DVM training. Participants will be 200 advanced students (100 RVT, 100 DVM) from 5 programs agreeing to embed the intervention into final semester coursework on an alternating basis, creating Intervention and Control groups. Online assessments will be done at baseline, upon completion (1 month), and follow-up (3, 6, 9, 12 months). Outcomes will include student engagement and perception of the program, performance on a knowledge test, frequency of skills used, and responses on validated measures of burden transfer, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. In keeping with Research to Practice (r2P) goals, if successful, our team will work with the American Veterinary Medical Association Director of Wellbeing Initiatives to disseminate this ready-to-share intervention to RVT and DVM programs nationwide. Outputs of this work will include the Unburdened intervention itself (adapted for student use, integrated into a shareable program that is accessed at the click of a link); the also team plans for publication in high-tier journals (e.g., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association), conference presentations and proceedings, and social media dissemination. If successful, expected intermediate outcomes of this work include routine adoption of this training in RVT and DVM curricula nationwide. Expected end outcomes include a culture shift in the field, with potential for decreased burden transfer, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression among veterinary healthcare workers. Ultimately, the proposed work could provide a scalable and sustainable strategy that leads to greater mental health and well-being across the veterinary workforce. This proposal aligns with NIOSH strategic goal 7.2 by testing an intervention targeting well-being in veterinary healthcare workers, providing skills to cope with difficult client interactions. We will adapt and evaluate a school-based intervention, addressing NORA HWD Cross Sector Objectives 1 & 4 through inclusion of a high-risk demographic (young workers) and aiming to reduce mental health burdens (depression and anxiety).