Doctor burnout in PMH ‘beyond a crisis’: Lamont

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This article was published 04/06/2022 (1371 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Preliminary results from a survey indicating half of Prairie Mountain Health’s doctors are near or already burning out is a “wake-up call” for the province, say the leaders of Manitoba’s NDP and Liberal parties.

A Community of Practice study of 118 doctors was conducted in partnership with Prairie Mountain Health and Doctors Manitoba over the course of three years, as reported by the Sun Friday.

Preliminary data from that study indicated 49 per cent of respondents reported experiencing high or very high levels of burnout. One of the driving factors reported is excessive job demands, such as working more than 40 hours a week (60 per cent reported) and being on call for more than 60 hours a week (52 per cent reported).

Mistreatment by patients, colleagues and workplace authority was also listed as problems physicians have to deal with on the job.

There are 271 doctors in Prairie Mountain Health, according to the study.

The health region is pleased to be involved in the Community of Practice–Physician Health and Wellness Project, said Michelle McKay, director of health services, primary care.

One of its core values is engaging with stakeholders such as physicians, staff, patients, clients and communities. It relies on using a “team approach” in the work it does as a region and placing significant emphasis on listening and moving forward on evidence-based planning and solutions.

This is why it was important to reach out to doctors to hear from them and collate the findings, McKay said.

“The issues and concerns noted from the survey, which contribute to physician turnover and burnout, are not unique to PMH, Manitoba or the country.

“However, the region is fully behind collaborative efforts with Doctors Manitoba and working group leaders to further identify actions and shared solutions. Enhancing strategies that address workflow optimization, mental health and wellness, resiliency, connections to peer and social supports and physician leadership and communication structures are just some of the important goals and objectives as we move forward.”

It’s no secret doctors in Westman and Manitoba have been working under tremendous pressure and this report is cause for concern, said Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew.

“These findings are a wake-up call and the government needs to do more to ensure physicians, along with other folks in the health-care field like nurses and health-care professionals, maintain work-life balance.”

There are many instances of health workers leaving the profession because of burnout, he said. The province cannot afford for this to happen to anyone else in health care.

The NDP is calling on the Progressive Conservatives to address the causes of burnout among health workers.

“Let’s ensure that the work level is sustainable and at the end of the day, if we pursue these solutions that patients can get the better care that they need.”

He pointed out one of the solutions listed in the survey, which was doctors wanting improved communication between themselves, colleagues and leaders. Kinew said he believes the doctors have a better idea of what is best for their patients and the further away from a patient’s bed decisions are made, the worse the outcome for the patient.

Other solutions from the report included support for physician professional development, including leadership and wellness training. It also suggested activities and spaces that bring physicians together for discussion and connection.

Respondents also expressed interest in accessing personal-focused and workplace-based health and wellness programs, as well as in-person and web-based training related to physician health and wellness.

Upon receiving the report, Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said he was astonished at the high number of people reporting they were highly stressed, anxious and depressed over their work conditions.

To put it into context, the survey stated the national average for doctors reporting burnout is 39 per cent.

“One-third of physicians in the country [reporting burnout] is a crisis, but what is happening in Prairie Mountain Health is beyond a crisis,” he said. “This has been going on for at least four years, but the pandemic has brought this to the forefront.”

Another statistic that concerned him was the number of young physicians reporting stress, burnout and not being listened to by administration.

It all leads to communities losing physicians and medical staff and the closure of emergency departments and beds, he said.

“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.”

The Sun contacted the minister of health and deputy minister of health offices multiple times Thursday and Friday, but didn’t receive a response by press time.

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1