Physician burnout in Canada has nearly doubled since pandemic started: survey – CTV
March 23, 2022
TORONTO — Preliminary data from a new survey released on Wednesday shows that burnout among doctors in Canada appears to be getting worse amid the pandemic.
The Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) National Physician Health Survey, which was conducted in November 2021 and received more than 4,000 responses, shows that 53 per cent of physicians and medical learners have experienced high levels of burnout, compared to 30 per cent in a 2017 study.
The survey also found that 46 per cent of doctors are considering reducing their clinical work in the next two years. As well, 47 per cent reported low levels of social wellbeing, compared to 29 per cent in 2017.
“It’s a really concerning finding because we know already there’s a major access to care issue in this country with at least five million Canadians more unable to find a primary care provider or a family doctor,” CMA president Dr. Katharine Smart told CTV’s Your Morning on Wednesday. “That is a real concern for Canadians in terms of who’s going to continue to provide the care.”
