Survey finds one in 10 Canadian emergency doctors have left the specialty

A national survey published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that burnout and pressure are driving emergency physicians out of Canadian emergency rooms, with about one in 10 saying they have left the specialty. The survey, based on responses from more than 400 doctors across most provinces and territories, found that many others have reduced their hours or taken time off to manage stress. Researchers said the results point to a broader problem in a health system strained by overcrowding, staffing shortages and long wait times. Doctors interviewed for the study described difficult working conditions, including patients waiting for care in hallways and overcrowded emergency departments. The authors said the loss of emergency physicians threatens patient safety and reflects deeper organizational problems that need coordinated government and institutional action.