Results of a recent survey from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) are showing that doctors are suffering from mental health issues, caused by the current crisis in health care.
The 2021 National Physician Health Survey, conducted in November 2021, reports that the medical workforce is struggling with a weakened healthcare system, and many challenges created by the pandemic.
Nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) tested positive for depression, a higher proportion than that of the 2017 CMA survey (33 per cent).
A quarter of practicing physicians are suffering from severe (10 per cent) or moderate (15 per cent) anxiety.
Preliminary data from this year are indicating that 53 per cent of respondents have reported experiencing high levels of burnout.
“Every day, physicians are expressing despair about the state of our health care system, the pressure that all health care workers are under and the suffering of their patients,” said via press release Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the CMA. “Since the survey was conducted, the workload has kept getting heavier with no sign of respite on the horizon. They need help to continue to provide quality care.” (J.B./IJL)
translated by Alec Brideau
