A new study published in Canada says burnout is prompting emergency physicians to leave the specialty or reduce their practice hours, adding to a growing body of research pointing to Canada’s health care crisis. CMJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.251863.
”The most common theme was that the health care system is broken.,” wrote Dr. Kerstin de Wit, an emergency physician and thrombosis physician at Kingston Health Sciences Center and a professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and co-authors.Emergency departments were found to be struggling with system deficiencies, with low staffing and support, repeatedly citing expectations that the situation would worsen further. For many, the future of emergency medicine looked bleak and there was no chance of recovery.”
The study, conducted by researchers from the Canadian Emergency Researchers Network, consists of a 2025 survey of 410 emergency medicine physicians from every province and territory in Canada except Yukon and Nunavut. Key themes were a broken health care system, a difficult workplace, doctors’ struggles, and a desire to leave emergency medicine. Of all respondents, 10% left the specialty, 48% reduced their practice hours, and 20% took time off. Women and younger physicians reported higher rates of burnout.
These findings are alarming and demonstrate that patient care in Canada, as well as the health of emergency physicians, is at risk.
”Levels of burnout remain high and should no longer be considered a pandemic phenomenon.“The authors write.”Physician burnout is a patient safety risk, is associated with poor quality care, and is contrary to the five goals of sustainable health systems.”
Potential causes of burnout include dysfunctional health systems at both the government and hospital levels, unrealistic patient expectations of the emergency physician’s role, lack of clinical support, patient volume, and inability to meet patient needs beyond the scope of emergency care.
These data further strengthen the results of recent studies. The Canadian Medical Association’s National Physician Health Survey shows similar burnout rates. In June 2026, the Canadian Institute for Health Information released a report showing that wait times for patients admitted to emergency department services have increased over the years, and patients are often leaving without seeing a doctor.
”Loss of paramedics is a crisis for Canada’s health care system, and our results suggest attrition of paramedics, which exacerbates paramedic burnout. ”
To address this crisis, governments and institutions must prioritize addressing gaps in patient care, invest in geriatric emergency care, and expand non-medical staffing to address patients’ social and other needs and other changes. Similarly, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians has developed an action plan for change with its EM:POWER initiative.
Regarding the increasing burden on doctors, I am an emergency physician. CMJwrites in a related editorial: https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.261030 ,”Their collective suffering and silent decline indicate a serious threat. Canada’s 50 years of investment in developing a highly qualified team of doctors with specialized or additional training in emergency medicine who provide 24-hour response to most emergency departments across the country could be wasted.”
She calls for immediate action on this important issue.
”With Canada’s population aging, increasing health complexity, climate-related disasters, and the threat of international conflict, governments at all levels should urgently prioritize preventing the decline in emergency care.” writes Dr. Varner.However, this expert cannot wait for complex system-level solutions to be realized. We need to act now to protect emergency workers. ”
The federal government could move away from the unconditional Transfer of Canadian Health Care to holding provincial and territorial governments accountable for emergency department wait times and access to care, and requiring those governments to report the data.
”Without thoughtful and intentional action by provincial and national leaders, access to 24-hour emergency care in Canada is at risk and preventable tragedies will continue to occur in waiting rooms.” concludes Dr. Berner.
sauce:
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Reference magazines:
de Wit, K. others. (2026) Emergency Physician Burnout and Attrition in Canada: A Longitudinal Study” and “How to Stop Emergency Physician Attrition in Canada.” Canadian Medical Association Journal. DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.251863. https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.251863
