Physician Burnout: ‘The last two years has been a huge grind,’ Expert says
A recent study by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) revealing significant burnout among health-care workers has Southlake Hospital's critical care medical director concerned about the quality of care and access to care.
"It is no surprise to me whatsoever - on everyone, the last two years has been a huge grind," said Dr. Barry Nathanson.
On Wednesday, the CMA released its findings from a November 2021 study which found 53 per cent of Canadian physicians are experiencing burnout, compared to 30 per cent from a similar survey conducted in 2017.
"Different people in different parts of our population have had different experiences, but it's been difficult for everybody. I'm no different, and I've had to make changes in my own professional life to accommodate for the impacts of the past two years," he revealed.
While half of those who took part in the study reported an increased level of stress since the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Nathanson said what's really concerning is the number of doctors considering reducing their clinical activities over the coming year.
"Who is going to provide the service at a time when demands are very high, not only because of the ongoing demands of the pandemic but also because of the surgical and procedural backlogs?" he asked.
According to the World Health Organization definition, burnout is a "syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed."
It is characterized by feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.
"I think lots of people can relate to that description, not only physicians and health-care providers, but because of the reasons I just pointed out, it's a concern," said Nathanson.
"Burnout affects not only access to care as I described, but it has the potential to affect the quality and the safety of care that's provided," Dr. Nathanson concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.