Medical society says national findings on doctor burnout are true for N.B.

Results of a national survey suggesting significant levels of stress, burnout and depression among doctors in Canada also reflect what's happening in New Brunswick, the medical society says.

More than half the doctors and medical students who took part in the 2021 National Physicians Health Survey said they experienced high levels of burnout, and nearly half are considering reducing their clinical work in the next 24 months.

The Canadian Medical Association released results of the survey this week. 

"We've been through a very stressful time, as have all New Brunswickers, through the pandemic," Dr. Mark MacMillan, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, said Thursday.

"But you know, we show up every day to work and we continue to care for our patients, but we're humans as well and stress does build up."

MacMillan said the stress can lead to burnout and fatigue. 

The medical society has done its own surveys, he said, and the figures for burnout and doctors who might reduce  their clinical work are on par with the national results. 

More than 4,000 doctors and medical students across Canada were surveyed in November 2021. Six in 10 physicians and residents indicated their mental health was worse than before the pandemic. 

These concerns have no easy answer, MacMllan said, but a few things could be done.

"We do need to see some further investments in health care as well, so that, you know, we can have our patients be seen more efficiently moving through the system faster, getting the procedures done," he said. 

MacMillan also brought up the possibility of practising differently as doctors. He pointed to collaborative group practices as an example, saying they might reduce the workload for doctors and give them the support of nearby peers. 

He said it is stressful when patients return with the same medical issues, and doctors can't help because of a system backlog. 

"So fixing those issues will help with mental health for physicians as well."

MacMillan said another concern for him is the potential for more private clinics, which has been the subject of speculation since some comments earlier this week by Premier Blaine Higgs.