Physician burnout in Canada has nearly doubled since pandemic started: survey

Preliminary data from a new survey released on Wednesday shows that burnout among doctors in Canada has nearly doubled since the pandemic started. Almost half of Canada's physicians are also considering reducing their clinical work.

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."

In addition, 59 per cent of physicians said that their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic. Among these respondents, 57 per cent attributed their worsened mental health to the increased workload and poor work-life balance and 55 per cent blamed administrative burdens.