Tufts study predicts worsening veterinarian shortage by 2014

North Grafton, Mass.

- A new study released yesterday predicts a continued shortage of veterinarians in New England.

The study, which was conducted by UMass Donahue Institute and commissioned by Tufts University's veterinary school, measured the economic impact of veterinary profession in the region and estimated DVM population trends.

The results? By 2014, the region is believed to have 1,036 vacancies for veterinarians through new jobs and attrition through retirement. Veterinarians working with food-animals are believed to accrue the biggest losses. For example, food-animal veterinarians will be retiring at a rate twice as fast as their counterparts in companion-animal medicine, the study reports.

Contributing close to $3.3 billion to the New England economy, the profession has a significant impact on the regional economy, reports Tufts Dean Deborah T. Kochevar.

Clinical practice represents 65 percent of direct veterinary expenditures, the study says. Scientific research and development accounted for 23 percent of total expenditures and 14 percent of industry's total employment.

See the June issue of DVM Newsmagazine (p.24) for further analysis. Click here for a copy of the report.