Canadian Doctors Lose 20 Million Hours Annually to Excessive Paperwork
Canadian physicians are facing a significant challenge, as a recent report reveals they lose a staggering 20 million hours annually to excessive paperwork. This administrative burden not only affects doctors’ efficiency but also impacts patient care across the country.
Excessive Paperwork: A National Concern
Dr. Natasha Aziz, a family physician from Ontario, expressed her frustration with constant paperwork, stating, “The paperwork just seems to never sleep.” On average, doctors in Canada dedicate approximately nine hours weekly to administrative tasks, amounting to 42.7 million hours each year, according to findings from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The report surveyed 1,924 physicians and highlighted that nearly half of this paperwork is considered unnecessary.
Impact on Patient Care
This overwhelming administrative workload primarily falls on family physicians, a group that is already experiencing a shortage. As a result of these challenges, many doctors are compelled to reduce their patient load or transition to specialties with less paperwork. Alarmingly, about 25% of surveyed physicians indicated they might consider retiring early or quitting altogether, which could lead to longer wait times and increased emergency room closures.
- 20 million hours lost annually to paperwork.
- 9 hours spent each week on administrative tasks by physicians.
- 42.7 million hours devoted to paperwork nationwide.
- 25% of doctors considering early retirement or quitting.
Physician Perspectives
The report suggests that if administrative duties were reduced, 44% of physicians would spend more time with current patients, while 43% would be open to taking on new patients. CMA President Dr. Margot Burnell emphasized that alleviating this burden benefits everyone in the healthcare system.
Dr. Aziz elaborated on the nature of the paperwork, which includes managing patient information scattered across various systems and repeatedly resubmitting identical data due to differing requirements from pharmacies and clinics. She highlighted the complications of poorly designed software that often results in further administrative hassles.
Proposed Solutions
To address these issues, the report includes several recommendations for reducing the administrative burden on healthcare providers:
- Abolish the necessity of sick notes.
- Implement AI scribes to assist with documentation.
- Simplify insurance and tax forms.
- Delegate certain duties to other healthcare professionals.
- Provide paid time for physicians to complete administrative tasks.
The CMA is working collaboratively with various stakeholders to enact these changes. Some provinces have made strides, including legislation limiting the conditions under which employers can require sick notes. AI scribes are also being tested in various healthcare settings to enhance efficiency.
A Success Story in Nova Scotia
Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan, a family doctor in Halifax, shared insights from Nova Scotia’s red tape reduction plan initiated in 2021. This effort reportedly saved physicians 435,000 hours of paperwork. Centralizing forms and assigning case workers for sick notes have markedly improved their operational efficiency.
Dr. Jayabarathan noted that the use of AI tools has also revolutionized patient interactions by enabling comprehensive appointment summaries, which benefits both doctors and patients. She expressed optimism for continued progress in reducing administrative burdens within the province.
As highlighted in the report, by focusing on reducing unnecessary paperwork, the healthcare system stands to gain significantly, ultimately improving care for millions of Canadians.
