Mastering Decision Making: Essential Strategies for Veterinarians and Beyond

Indre Jasineviciute PhD, DVM
4 min readMay 17, 2024

Every day, we are faced with thousands of decisions.

For those working in clinical fields, especially veterinarians, this number is even higher. Decision-making in such high-stakes environments can lead to significant anxiety and self-doubt. Implementing effective strategies can help mitigate these feelings and improve confidence in one’s choices. Although this article is geared towards veterinary professionals, the techniques discussed are universally applicable and beneficial.

For a more comprehensive understanding, I highly recommend reading B. Kipperman’s book, Decision-making in Veterinary Practice.

Photo by International Fund for Animal Welfare: https://www.pexels.com/photo/veterinarian-holding-a-blue-tongued-lizard-5486965/

How to define a success and ethical dilemmas

Understanding how to measure success in the veterinary profession is crucial because it shapes a veterinarian’s career philosophy and behavior over decades.

High levels of stress and burnout among veterinarians underscore the importance of defining success, with studies showing up to 52% of veterinarians frequently feel distressed or anxious about their work. Such stress leads to moral distress when professional obligations conflict with personal values, negatively impacting mental health and career satisfaction. Thus, setting realistic and

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