The Challenges Facing Family Doctors: A First-Hand Perspective

💼The administrative burden in family medicine, which averages 20 hours a week, contributes to burnout and dissatisfaction among doctors.

💰Family doctors often face financial challenges due to the underfunding of their clinics and the need to personally fund the shortfall.

📝The paperwork load in family medicine is substantial and is often done after clinical hours, leading to additional stress and frustration.

👥Team-based care, although touted as a solution, does not address the underlying issues faced by family doctors and their struggling clinics.

🏥Transitioning to a hospital position can provide relief from the challenges of running a small business in family medicine.

Why are family doctors leaving the practice?

—Administrative burdens and financial struggles are significant factors contributing to family doctors' decisions to leave their practices.

What is the main challenge faced by family doctors?

—The administrative burden, which requires an average of 20 hours a week, is a major challenge for family doctors, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.

How are family clinics financially supported?

—Family clinics often face financial challenges due to inadequate funding from OHIP, and family doctors have to personally fund the budget shortfalls.

Is team-based care a solution to the crisis in family medicine?

—Although team-based care is promoted as a solution, it does not address the underlying issues faced by family doctors and their struggling clinics.

What are the benefits of transitioning to a hospital position?

—Moving to a hospital position allows family doctors to focus on patient care without the additional stressors of running a small business.

00:00Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, a family doctor in Ottawa, shares the reasons for his decision to leave his practice.

00:17The administrative burden in family medicine, averaging 20 hours a week, is a major source of burnout for doctors.

00:47Inadequate funding for family clinics contributes to financial struggles for doctors.

01:19The paperwork load in family medicine is substantial and often has to be done outside of clinical hours.

02:27Team-based care, although promoted as a solution, does not address the underlying issues faced by family doctors.

03:08Transitioning to a hospital position allows family doctors to focus on patient care without the stress of running a small business.

04:54Dr. Hijazi disagrees with the belief that recent government funding will solve the crisis in family medicine.

05:59Incentivizing family medicine and addressing the financial struggles of doctors are crucial to improving the situation.