The Connection Between Access to Veterinary Care and Access to the Veterinary Profession.

Intersectional barriers to veterinary care and careers require coordinated, multifaceted solutions.

This systematic literature review examines the parallel barriers affecting both access to veterinary care and entry into veterinary medicine careers. The authors analyzed publications from 2003-2025 to understand how similar obstacles impact these two interconnected areas of the veterinary profession. The research identifies three primary categories of barriers: socioeconomic factors, knowledge-based limitations, and geographic constraints. By examining these barriers through an intersectional lens, the authors recognize how multiple disadvantages compound to create greater obstacles for vulnerable populations. The review highlights that addressing access to veterinary care and professional pathways requires coordinated strategies that recognize the interconnected nature of these challenges. Understanding these intersectional barriers is essential for developing comprehensive solutions that improve both public health through enhanced veterinary care access and workforce diversity through increased professional accessibility. The findings provide evidence-based guidance for stakeholders seeking to remove obstacles and create more equitable access to veterinary services and careers.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.