The United States veterinary workforce dilemma: are we asking the right questions?

Abstract

This article explores the ongoing debate about whether there is a workforce shortage in veterinary medicine. Despite numerous discussions, no consensus has been reached on whether the demand for veterinarians and their teams exceeds supply. The authors argue that current public discussions fail to address the core issues. The article explores the workforce issue from an economic perspective and provides a perspective on the way forward. Key aspects covered include recognizing the distinction between needs and wants, collecting better data, employing rigorous empirical analysis, differentiating market failures from high prices, and fostering cooperation.