FVE recently conducted an online survey to assess how much time veterinary practitioners spend on administrative work — and the findings highlight a growing concern across the profession.
Between August 2024 and January 2025, 75 veterinarians participated in the survey, revealing that none reported a decrease in administrative work in recent years. In fact, 64% said their workload has doubled, while another 29% reported a slight increase.
Tasks such as hazardous waste management, insurance paperwork, and compliance records typically take less than an hour weekly. However, prescribing and dispensing medications proved the most time-consuming, with many veterinarians spending up to or over 10 hours per week on related documentation and labelling.
Most respondents also noted that over half of their administrative work is unpaid, further compounding stress and workload pressures. Additional unpaid duties often include business administration, compliance, and client communication.
When asked about potential solutions, veterinarians most often pointed to veterinary management software and hiring administrative support as the most effective strategies. Technology-based solutions for automating documentation and leveraging digital tools were also strongly supported. The message from respondents was clear: the administrative load on veterinarians is rising sharply, and simplification of regulatory requirements is urgently needed to protect practitioners’ well-being and sustain the quality of animal care. Read the full report HERE.
