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

Abstract

Access to veterinary care and careers in veterinary medicine are the foundation of public health. Nevertheless, barriers to the veterinary profession persist. The objectives of this review are to (1) understand the similarities between access to veterinary care and careers in the veterinary profession, (2) identify the intersectional barriers that influence access to care and the profession, and (3) recognize strategies to address intersectional barriers to care and the profession. The literature review scopes relevant publications primarily published between 2003 and 2025. Barriers to accessing veterinary care and the profession are classified as socioeconomic, knowledge-based, and geography-based barriers. The results inform our strategies to address intersectional barriers to veterinary care and careers in the veterinary profession.