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 64% said their workload had doubled in recent years while another 29% reported a slight increase. None reported a decrease.
Prescribing and dispensing most time-consuming
Tasks such as hazardous waste management, insurance paperwork, and radiation safety 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.
Over half of admin work is unpaid
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, respondents 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.
Admin load on the increase
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. 'While meaningful data collection is essential for animal health, public safety and the integrity of our profession — meaningless bureaucracy is not,' stressed UEVP President Volker Moser. 'Vets need smart, efficient systems that allow us to focus on what truly matters: caring for animals, supporting farmers, preventing disease and illegal trade, and safeguarding public trust in our responsible use of medicines.'
The full report can be found here.