Sour stats: 46% of Manitoba docs are considering leaving the province, retiring or reducing their hours

According to a report from Doctors Manitoba released this week, many of the province’s doctors are planning an exit one way or another. Indeed, the report, emphasizing the urgent need for more recruitment and retainment efforts, found 46% of doctors currently working in the province and considering retiring, reducing their hours or moving to another province in the next three years. The report notes that to reach the average Canadian physicians per capita ratio, Manitoba needs a whopping 445 more doctors. The provincial government has adopted Doctors Manitoba’s suggested goal of finding said number of fresh physicians within five years—aiming to add a net increase of 100 new docs in 2024 (rather a boost to the yearly average of 60 since 2019).Putting the 46% who are considering leaving in perspective: Manitoba risks losing 688 doctors or 21% of its total, in the next three years, the report said. Manitoba, compared to its fellow provinces, has been on a downward trend for the past two decades, falling from fourth most doctors per capita in 2001, all the way down to ninth by 2022. While some doctors are simply due for retirement, or seek a change for personal reasons, the report found that for 74% of cases of those who plans to retire, relocate or reduce hours are motivated by “systemic or institutional issues that could be addressed,” the report said. “We support the government’s ambitious plan to add 100 more doctors to Manitoba this year through both recruitment and retention,” said Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Randy Guzman, in a press release. “However, every day that passes without concrete improvements in place is another day of missed new recruits and seeing existing doctors move away.”What drivers are pushing docs away? More than half (54%) are experiencing distress and 46% suffering from burnout. Just 18%-to-26% of doctors feel valued by their government or heath authority. Less than a third (31%) describe their workplace culture as “generally positive,” and 19% would describe the health system as responsive to their concerns as physicians. “The best way to prevent losing physicians in Manitoba is by improving how the system engages and supports us,” said Dr. Guzman. “It is very concerning to see two thirds or more of physicians saying the health system isn’t keeping them up to date, isn’t seeking their input, and isn’t responsive to their concerns. We have recommendations to address these issues that very much support the government’s promise to change the culture in health care and prioritize front line feedback.”

Sour stats: 46% of Manitoba docs are considering leaving the province, retiring or reducing their hours

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