Health workers continue to experience unprecedented distress. It’s time to prioritize their safety and well-being on the job.
Why physicians are struggling
Physicians and medical learners routinely put patients first, despite a growing administrative burden, staffing shortages and, in some cases, harassment, bullying and racism at work. But their commitment often comes at a cost: the profession is experiencing record, with only a patchwork of resources to support them.
Physician well-being by the numbers
8 in 10
53%
1/4
A holistic approach to physician safety
The CMA recognizes that physician safety is not just about one thing – our work is focused on improvements in three key areas.
Physical safety
Physicians deserve to learn and work in environments that identify, minimize and mitigate harm, injury and illness, whether the threat is from a person, a substance or object, or from occupational practices.
Psychological safety
To thrive at work, physicians require a climate of trust and respect, where they’re comfortable working to their full scope of practice and potential, and where they believe that teammates and leadership will support – not embarrass or punish – them for speaking up on the job.
Cultural safety
Learning and practice environments should recognize individual identities, differences and preferences, and strive to address inherent power imbalances, racism and discrimination in the health care system.
How the CMA is standing up for physician wellness
The CMA has been leading the way on physician safety, starting with ongoing assessments of the state of the profession. Through the National Physician Health Survey, the CMA tracks physical, psychological and cultural safety every three or four years, with the latest instalment coming in 2025.
To drive system change, the CMA brings together health leaders, researchers, policymakers and other partners at key events. In 2024, we hosted the International Conference on Physician Health in Halifax with the American and British Medical Associations. In 2025, the CMA will host the Canadian Conference on Physician Health. We’ve also advocated for federal action to ensure the real risks to health workers result in real consequences. The CMA was instrumental in passing an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada making intimidation or bullying a health worker – which has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic – an offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The CMA makes significant investments in physician wellness as well. Through our $115 million Affinity Partnership with MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank, we have funded initiatives such as Well Doc Alberta, now expanding across the country.