Addressing Canadian doctors’ administrative challenges: Commit to human resources

In Canada, the lion's share of doctors operate within the public health framework. Among these professionals, a major grievance is the intense administrative workload, from insurance forms to governmental paperwork. This issue has persisted for years, and despite consistent grievances, there's been scant improvement for these physicians.

ADVERTISEMENT Perhaps one reason for this inertia is that doctors, while vocal, rarely resort to drastic measures, such as strikes or protests, especially in the Canadian context, to demand improvements on behalf of their patients.

The answer might lie in effective task delegation. In private healthcare, physicians have efficiently handed over administrative duties to roles like secretaries and physician aides, enabling them to focus more on patient care than paperwork. Incorporating medical scribes during consultations is another approach, allowing doctors to engage fully with patients without the distraction of note-taking.

The crux of the solution is a committed investment in human resources. The private healthcare realm has identified and acted upon this, witnessing enhanced patient outcomes. Yet, this is an area where the public health sector lags.

Here, individual physicians have a part to play. Instead of perpetually voicing complaints, they can actively secure their own administrative assistance, whether through hiring a personal secretary or integrating medical scribes into their routines. It's feasible.

I speak from experience, having implemented this for four years at a renowned university health center in Montreal. By addressing these administrative aspects, I was able to optimize patient care.

Sure, my decision to bring my private secretary into a public setting raised eyebrows. However, effecting change often requires the audacity to be different.

In summary, the paperwork overload on public health doctors is a chronic issue requiring action. A viable remedy is channeling investments into human resources – secretaries, physician aides, and medical scribes. Although public healthcare has been hesitant, individual doctors can lead the way by bolstering their own support systems. This not only elevates patient care but also enhances physicians' work-life equilibrium.