Canadian Medical Association

No one in medicine is coming out of the COVID-19 years untouched. But in more than 2,300 responses to the CMA’s 2021 National Physician Health Survey (NPHS), female physicians are reporting higher levels of burnout, anxiety and harassment in the workplace compared to their male peers.

Nearly two-thirds of women physicians said their mental health is worse than it was before the pandemic. More likely to be younger, caregivers to a child or parent at home, and in the early stages of their medical career, they were also more likely to report excessive administrative burden and frequent fatigue.

“On Canadian Women Physicians Day, we recognize the collective achievements of women in the profession — but also that there is a long way to go to ensure they are able to thrive, from medical school through to retirement.” — Dr. Alika Lafontaine, CMA president

Learn more about the 2021 NPHS

The troubling state of wellness for women physicians

Burnout is significantly higher among women (59%) compared to men (43%)

Women (64%) are significantly more likely than men (52%) to say their mental health is worse now than before the pandemic

Women are significantly more likely to report severe or moderate anxiety (27%) compared to men (19%)

Women are significantly more likely to say they have experienced intimidation, bullying, harassment and/or microaggressions at least once a week (17%) compared to men(11%)

While nearly half of physicians feel the amount of time they spend on the EMR at home is excessive or moderately high, women are significantly more likely to report this (54%) compared to men (41%)

64% of women are significantly more likely to report frequent fatigue (always or often) compared to men (46%)

Women (52%) are more likely than men (41%) to report being a caregiver of a child, parent, other family member or friend. Caregivers tended to have poorer mental health outcomes across all key metrics.

Building a health care system to prevent burnout

Addressing burnout requires meaningful system-wide change in Canada’s health care system.

Read Dr. Laura Sang’s story about her experience navigating burnout

Did you know?

  • Reducing the amount of time spend on EMRs at home and increasing work-life integration decreases the chances of being burned out by 1.3 and 1.4 times respectively.
     
  • Reducing bullying and harassment in the workplaces decreases the chances of being burned out by almost two times.
     
  • If physicians have the opportunity for optimal rest to reduce their level of fatigue, their chances of being burned out decrease by over five times.

If you are a physician or medical learner looking for support, the CMA’s Physician Wellness Hub has resources to help


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