Performance Under Pressure: A PV Perspective
Updated: 3 hours ago
Each week, I look forward to Andrew Embry’s blog (Andrew Embry – Striking Matches) —always thought‑provoking, always pushing me to think a little deeper. His latest reflection on performance under pressure drew on a framework from Dr. James Hewitt’s book Regenerative Performance: How to Thrive in an Always‑On World Without Sacrificing Your Well‑Being.
Hewitt outlines three components that enable individuals and teams to perform well when the stakes are high:
Capacity – Building the foundation required to operate under pressure
Control – Reframing stress as a catalyst for growth
Coordination – Synchronizing teams so pressure becomes performance
Naturally, my mind went straight to pharmacovigilance—a discipline where pressure isn’t episodic; it’s the baseline.
How the Framework Applies to PV
Capacity
Do we have enough trained PV professionals in the right roles? Are workloads realistic? Is expertise distributed rather than concentrated in one or two “pressure absorbers”?
Control
Do our SOPs truly reflect how work is done? Are processes clear, current, and designed to reduce cognitive load rather than add to it?
Coordination
Are case management, signal detection, regulatory reporting, quality, and safety science communicating effectively? Are we aligned on priorities, timelines, and expectations?
In PV, pressure is unavoidable but burnout doesn’t have to be. The question becomes:
What practices, habits, or systems help you perform under pressure while protecting your well‑being?
By Rae Knight, B.SC., DVM, MRCVS, licensed veterinarian and owner of Pippins Veterinary Pharmacovigilance Consulting, she supports companies through practical PV guidance, regulatory training, and compliance‑focused solutions.