# Effects of embedded Acceptance and Commitment Training in DVM and RVT programs as students transition into the workforce

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · KENT STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $570,703

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This is an R01 application to prospectively evaluate an asynchronously-delivered intervention (“Unburdened”)
that targets reactivity to difficult client interactions, adapted for students and embedded into veterinary
technician (RVT) and medicine (DVM) training programs. The field of veterinary medicine is experiencing a
mental health crisis; evidence-based approaches to reduce occupational distress are critically needed. One
key mechanism for occupational distress in this field is “burden transfer,” or reactivity to challenging
interactions with veterinary clients. Our team developed an Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
intervention specifically targeting burden transfer; randomized trials show it reduces stress and burnout for
veterinary workers across live and asynchronous delivery methods. Our data also show benefits of this
intervention up to 1 year later, as well as high rates of acceptability in RVT and DVM students. We will adapt
the Unburdened intervention for student use in an easily-shared format and embed it into RVT and DVM
training. Participants will be 200 advanced students (100 RVT, 100 DVM) from 5 programs agreeing to embed
the intervention into final semester coursework on an alternating basis, creating Intervention and Control
groups. Online assessments will be done at baseline, upon completion (1 month), and follow-up (3, 6, 9, 12
months). Outcomes will include student engagement and perception of the program, performance on a
knowledge test, frequency of skills used, and responses on validated measures of burden transfer, stress,
burnout, anxiety, and depression. In keeping with Research to Practice (r2P) goals, if successful, our team will
work with the American Veterinary Medical Association Director of Wellbeing Initiatives to disseminate this
ready-to-share intervention to RVT and DVM programs nationwide. Outputs of this work will include the
Unburdened intervention itself (adapted for student use, integrated into a shareable program that is accessed
at the click of a link); the also team plans for publication in high-tier journals (e.g., Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association), conference presentations and proceedings, and social media dissemination. If
successful, expected intermediate outcomes of this work include routine adoption of this training in RVT and
DVM curricula nationwide. Expected end outcomes include a culture shift in the field, with potential for
decreased burden transfer, stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression among veterinary healthcare workers.
Ultimately, the proposed work could provide a scalable and sustainable strategy that leads to greater mental
health and well-being across the veterinary workforce. This proposal aligns with NIOSH strategic goal 7.2 by
testing an intervention targeting well-being in veterinary healthcare workers, providing skills to cope with
difficult client interactions. We will adapt and evaluate a school-based intervention, a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10980628
- **Project number:** 1R01OH012580-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Mary Beth Spitznagel
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $570,703
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10980628

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10980628, Effects of embedded Acceptance and Commitment Training in DVM and RVT programs as students transition into the workforce (1R01OH012580-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10980628. Licensed CC0.

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