'Soul-sucking administrative burden': The new task force working to stop physician burnout
The Manitoba government is partnering with Doctors Manitoba to launch a joint task force to help ease administrative burdens so doctors can focus on providing care and avoid burnout.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced the new task force on Friday, saying it will improve patient care and support the retention of doctors.
“Doctors often face excessive administrative requirements that place a burden on their time and take them away from their most important role, and that is providing care to Manitobans when they need it most,” she said.
“Manitoba is among the first provinces in the country to begin work to reduce the administrative burden on its doctors.”
The task force will work to identify any unnecessary administrative burdens, set goals, and then work with the organization to streamline or eliminate any of the burdens. It will also offer guidance and recommendations on how to avoid creating these administrative burdens for future doctors.
During this process, Doctors Manitoba will lead physician engagement to ensure the planning and implementation are informed by physicians’ experiences.
Dr. Candace Bradshaw, president of Doctors Manitoba, said she’s worked as a family physician for the past 21 years and has never seen the administrative burden on physicians as heavy as it is right now.
She added that research suggests doctors in Manitoba are spending 10 to 12 hours a week on administrative tasks, including paperwork and dealing with electronic medical records. Bradshaw said that research also shows that administrative burden is a leading cause of physician burnout.
“Doctors go into medicine to care for patients, but this soul-sucking administrative burden is stealing our time away from patients,” Bradshaw said.
The task force membership is in the process of being finalized and will include two co-chairs, three physicians, a representative from the Department of Health or the health system, and a representative from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business who has expertise in red tape reduction. The co-chairs will include one person appointed by the Manitoba government and one appointed by Doctors Manitoba.
The task force will begin its work immediately and will report to Gordon and Bradshaw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.