Unnecessary administrative work is driving physician burnout and impacting access to care.
What’s behind physicians’ administrative pile-up
Doctors don’t go into medicine for the paperwork. But from charting, third-party forms and sick notes to managing an office, tracking down lab results and following up from patient appointments, physicians' administrative load can be relentless.
In many cases, this work takes place after hours – extending the work day and negatively affecting work-life balance. According to the CMA’s 2021 National Physician Health Survey, nearly 60% of respondents said these issues directly contribute to worsening mental health. And the more time physicians spend on unnecessary paperwork, the less time they can spend on their patients.
Physicians’ administrative burden by the numbers
18.5 million
38%
75%
The CMA’s work to reduce doctors’ administrative burden
The CMA is advocating for change at a national level, focusing on four key issues: sick notes, federal and national forms, the interoperability of health data and AI.
Interoperability
In 2024, the federal government introduced legislation mandating connectivity in health care, reflecting the CMA’s calls for better access to data for patients and providers.
To improve interoperability further, the CMA established a digital health interoperability task force with Canada Health Infoway, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. The group’s latest report includes an overview of current challenges and recommendations for improvements.
Sick notes
In one year alone, Canadians made 12.5 million sick note requests for short-term illness. But most of these cases do not need medical diagnosis or treatment, wasting both patients’ and physicians’ time. In October 2024, the CMA released calls to restrict employer requirements for sick notes and promote alternatives such as self-certification and flexible leave policies. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Canadians indicated their support.
Federal and national forms
The CMA is working to eliminate or streamline federal forms. Recognizing that the success of the Canada Disability Benefit depends on efficiency for medical professionals and reducing barriers for applicants, for example, we’ve recommended ongoing physician engagement in new processes as well as comprehensive training.
In partnership with MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank®, the CMA also launched the Healthcare Unburdened Grant program, which provides $10 million in funding for innovative projects to reduce physicians’ administrative burden.