Reviving Vet Med
The Hidden Toll of Workplace Incivility in Vet Med | Episode 97 | Reviving Vet Med
Send us Fan Mail Incivility is one of the most pervasive yet minimized challenges in veterinary medicine. Whether it’s a passive-aggressive comment from a colleague or a subtle slight from a stressed client, these "low-level" behaviors are frequently swept under the rug as part of the job. In high-stress practice environments, however, this ambiguity isn’t just annoying—it’s a silent, constant drain on our cognitive energy and a primary driver of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and burnout. In this episode, I’m joined by Helen Silver-MacMahon, a Registered Veterinary Nurse, Clinical Human Factors pioneer, and recipient of the 2026 RCVS Inspiration Award, to explore what is actually happening beneath the surface of our daily interactions. We dive into her groundbreaking research on veterinary incivility to unpack how the source of the rudeness, whether it's an insider like a senior manager or an outsider like a client, dictates the type of psychological damage it leaves behind. We also explore the heavy toll of "emotional labor" and the deceptive trap of conflict avoidance, explaining why retreating from rudeness actually worsens chronic stress over time. Finally, Helen shares how clinics can move past the hollow advice of telling staff to "just be more resilient." Instead, she provides actionable, data-backed insights on how leadership can use the "Listen, Act, Support" framework to build a genuine organizational buffer that protects team well-being and enhances patient safety. Watch the Video Version of this Episode https://youtu.be/ifz8gqKBKtI Resources Connect with Helen Silver-MacMahon on Instagram @thrivinginvetmed and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helen-silver-macmahon-b0b467183 Visit Helen’s website: www.being-human.co.uk Civility in Action (program): https://www.being-human.co.uk/copy-of-thriving-teams-development-pr Download Practical Guide to Managing Incivility in Veterinary Practice: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rRkrjJxf1EmQdz7Dz8UrPzWD1fMtsphFp9uTPZy4PtBUODhRWVBTVElKN1ZRMlRXNVFRUEcyVDZCNy4u Consequences and coping: Investigating client, co-worker and senior colleague incivility within veterinary practice: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/vetr.2030 Listen, act and support: An investigation into individual and organisational incivility management in veterinary practice: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11783998/ Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote See how Scribenote works: https://www.scribenote.com?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402 Book a Demo: https://calendly.com/d/4zm-dsr-wfh/scribenote-demo Start with a Free 14-Day Trial Today: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?utm_campaign=RVM&utm_source=rvm-podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=MARK-402 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 Resources To access Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s free resources including handouts, posters, meditations, and quizzes, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/resources Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com Thank you to our sponsor Scribenote The first AI-powered veterinary SOAP creator that builds accurate medical records effortlessly. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show
