Many doctors across Ontario felt the pressure in 2021, according to a survey by the Ontario Medical Association.
The report released this week by the OMA shows that the majority of doctors interviewed experienced some level of burnout this year. There was a 66 per cent increase in the number of surveyed doctors who had increased burnout over 2020.
OMA President Dr. Adam Kassam said these results should not be surprising, as health care professionals continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Burnout and its symptoms have impacted so many physicians, which unfortunately has been exacerbated by COVID-19," said Kassam. "Tackling this epidemic is one of the most urgent needs facing the profession. The system-level changes that are needed require bold action by our health-system partners. I am proud of the work done by the OMA and the Burnout Task Force, which continues to demonstrate leadership and provide solutions to support our colleagues."
Burnout is defined as prolonged physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion caused by high stress. Many health care professionals classify it as a mental health issue, though not a mental illness per se.
The OMA report pinpointed a variety of causes, including increased use of technology. Doctors are also taking more time documenting patient cases than actually seeing patients. The report said physicians spend about six hours a day processing patient information, either during or after clinic hours.
A burnout task force was created by the OMA in 2019 to provide support to members, though the pandemic has prompted a more pressing need to find solutions.
"Physician burnout is a system-level problem that has been worsened by the global pandemic," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "It needs to be addressed both for physician well-being and to ensure the health-care system can address the pandemic backlog of medical procedures. The OMA plan, in development since 2019, has actionable solutions to help solve this problem."
Such solutions include the streamlining of patient documentation, along with flexible scheduling to allow for a better work-life balance. The report also called for better support for physicians in the workplace and equitable compensation for all work performed.
The OMA interviewed doctors twice, once in March 2020 when the pandemic was taking hold, and again in March 2021.
