Canadian doctors say they lose 20 million hours a year to unnecessary paperwork

A CMA and CFIB survey of 1,924 physicians found doctors spend about nine hours per week on administrative tasks—roughly 42.7 million hours a year in Canada—and nearly half of that time is judged unnecessary.

Doctors across Canada report spending substantial time on paperwork that many consider unnecessary, affecting clinical care and workload. A survey by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found physicians average about nine hours per week on administrative tasks, totaling roughly 42.7 million hours annually, with nearly half judged to be avoidable. The report links this administrative burden to doctors taking on fewer patients, shifting away from family practice, or considering early retirement, which has knock-on effects on access to care. Some governments and organizations are already taking steps — provinces have limited sick-note requirements, clinics are trialing AI scribes, and the CMA is working with the CRA to simplify complex forms. Key findings: - The survey of 1,924 physicians reports an average of nine hours per week on administrative work, or about 42.7 million hours a year nationally. - Physicians say approximately 47% of that administrative time is spent on tasks they consider unnecessary. - The burden falls especially on family physicians and is associated with reduced patient panels, some doctors leaving family practice, and longer waits or gaps in primary care access. - Measures underway include provincial limits on sick notes, pilot use of AI scribes in clinics, and CMA efforts with the CRA to simplify time-consuming disability and tax forms; Nova Scotia reports removing about 435,000 hours of paperwork since 2021. Summary: The report describes a large administrative load that physicians and medical organizations say is reducing clinical time and contributing to workforce pressure and access problems. Provinces and professional groups have begun changes such as limiting sick-note requirements, piloting AI documentation tools, and working to simplify federal and provincial forms, but broader national outcomes and timelines remain undetermined.