CMA Interface October 2, 2001

Vol. 2 No. 10, October 2, 2001

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Workload top physician concern

Results from the 2001 Physician Resource Questionnaire (PRQ) were released last month and the annual survey of Canadian physicians showed that 64% of respondents agreed their workload was heavier than they would like. Over half (58%) said their family or personal life had suffered because they chose medicine as a career.

The PRQ, which has been an annual survey tool used to track physician attitudes since 1982, also found that more doctors are leaning away from fee-for-service as their preferred method of payment.

Based on responses from 3246 CMA members and nonmembers, the PRQ found that just 35% cite FFS as their preferred method of remuneration. That number stood at 50% when the PRQ was conducted in 1995.

Perhaps the most vivid picture from the PRQ survey came not from the statistics, but the personal comments added by respondents. A small sample of these is included in the column on the right.

PRQ fast facts

The PRQ 2001 was in the field from late Jan. to mid-May 2001

A random sample of 7756 Canadian physicians (62% members, 38% non-members) received the survey

3246 physicians completed the survey, a response rate of 42%

CMA members in the sample who had supplied email addresses were contacted by email and invited to complete the survey online, and 15% of respondents completed the survey online

The electronic surveys led to substantial savings in printing, postage, and data capture costs

All others in the sample received a paper copy of the survey that included instructions for online submission

The CMA Research Directorate thanks all physicians who took the time to complete the 2001 Physician Resource Questionnaire. The survey findings enable the CMA to continue physician workforce research.

More information on the PRQ

You said it

Respondents to the Physicians Resource Questionnaire did not mince words when asked to give their thoughts on the current situation:

"Heaven help those that are just starting out in medicine."

"I regret the lack of new young physicians coming on line to take over. Unless things change, I am afraid when the time comes I will just have to walk away from my patients and this disturbs me greatly."

"I stay in Canada because I'm Canadian. I would be much better off professionally in the US."

"Rural Specialists have onerous responsibilities placed upon them with little backup, expectations for 24/7 call coverage and no financial compensation or recognition for their unwavering devotion to their communities and their profession. My colleagues and I are a dying breed and I don’t expect that we will be replaced."

"Increase enrolment in medical school will not solve the physician shortage problem; treating them better will." "I have always loved the practise of medicine. I take great care with my patients and try to provide them with excellent health care, and it irks me no end how little I get paid for the good job I do."

"Call responsibility is part of the job. I would be less unhappy with this responsibility if I was at least compensated like a plumber!"

"Considering the state of the profession today, if a young person close to me were to ask my advice concerning their choice of career, I would recommend very strongly that they avoid choosing medicine." "Not everyone is unhappy, disenchanted, angry about their practice. Not everyone feels they are underpaid, overworked and not held in high enough regard by their peers, patients and society in general. I happen to be one of the lucky physicians who are satisfied with his lot in life."