Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg, MB - Manitoba Liberals are pointing to a report that shows physicians in Manitoba's Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) are suffering from burnout at levels much higher than the national average, as one of the reasons the area is projected to lose 20 doctors by summer's end.
The report on Physician Health and Wellness showed that while the Canadian average of physicians experiencing burnout is about one-third, in Prairie Mountain Health, the number shows that an incredible 49% are experiencing high and very high levels of burnout.
"Burnout is real, and it is dangerous. The PCs and Shared Health have got to stop treating people who have to make life-or-death decisions as if they are interchangeable parts in a machine that can be tossed aside," said Dougald Lamont, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party and MLA for St. Boniface. "This isn't just a pandemic problem - it's a PC problem. The PCs aren't listening, and doctors are quitting."
The study shows respondents reported being moderately to extremely impacted by:
• Excessive workload and job demands (66%)
• Insufficient workplace resources (59%)
• Inefficient use of workplace resources (51%)
• Isolation and lack of social supports in the workplace (52%)
• Ineffective leadership behaviour (49%), Inflexible workplace policies (48%)
The recommendations were clear:
74% of respondents "believe more PHW resources are needed in the region."
A sample of recommendations from CSNA survey respondents include:
• Address work-load distribution, capacity, and efficiency issues
• Train leaders to listen to, involve, and empower physicians
• Increase communication and transparency from leaders, enhance communication between colleagues
"The fact that there are shortages everywhere means the PCs need to double down on keeping people here," said Lamont. "People will be looking to hire people to leave the province, and the PCs have given people enough reasons to leave. They need to start to give people a reason to stay."
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