Removing unnecessary paperwork could free up 326 doctors in Manitoba

A national report says cutting unnecessary paperwork could free the equivalent of 326 full-time doctors in Manitoba, where physicians spend about 9.7 hours per week on administrative tasks; the province says it is advancing work on eliminating sick notes and improving digital health systems.

Doctors in Manitoba report spending roughly 9.7 hours per week on administrative tasks, and a national survey says reducing unnecessary paperwork could free the equivalent of 326 full-time physicians in the province. The survey was released by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and shows a small improvement from 2023 estimates. Doctors Manitoba and the provincial health minister have both commented on the findings and on steps underway to address paperwork burdens. What the report found: - Physicians across Canada are estimated to spend 20 million hours yearly on unnecessary paperwork, about 199 hours per doctor each year. - Manitoba doctors reported about 9.7 hours per week on administrative work, above the national average of 9.1 hours. - Doctors Manitoba recommended five changes: improve referral and diagnostic request processes, simplify forms, adopt AI charting scribes, streamline electronic records, and eliminate sick notes. Summary: The report indicates that reducing paperwork could free substantial physician time and may support better patient access and physician retention, though removing paperwork would not eliminate Manitoba's physician shortfall. The provincial health minister said the government is advancing work in the five areas identified, including eliminating sick notes and improving digital health systems.