New survey reveals nearly half of physicians are struggling, and burnout remains a major issue
Canadian doctors are sounding the alarm about their mental health, with a new national survey showing that many still feel worse off now than they did before the pandemic. According to the latest results from the 2025 National Physician Health Survey, almost 46 percent of physicians reported that their emotional well-being has deteriorated since the pre-COVID-19 era, even though some progress has been made compared to the peak pandemic years.
This survey, conducted for the Canadian Medical Association by Ipsos, highlights a troubling reality in Canadian healthcare. While burnout levels have dropped slightly from 53 percent in 2021 to 46 percent today, the issue remains significant. The problem is especially acute among women doctors, those in the middle years of their career, and physicians practising in rural or smaller communities.
Healthcare professionals have been under intense pressure for years, and the pandemic only magnified decades-long strains such as staff shortages, high patient volumes, long hours, and emotional fatigue. For many, the challenges haven’t dissipated. In fact, nearly half of respondents said they feel their mental health is worse now than in 2019. Amid these challenges, some improvements are emerging — fewer doctors say they’re burned out compared to a few years ago — yet these gains are modest and uneven.
The survey results underscore a deeper need for systemic changes. Physician mental health doesn’t just affect individual doctors; it affects patient care, emergency room coverage, care continuity, and the capacity of healthcare systems to respond to crises. Health advocates say that without stronger support systems, including accessible counselling, workload reductions, and peer support programs, doctors’ well-being will continue to suffer.
As Canada’s healthcare system continues to contend with resource limitations and rising patient demand, the voices of physicians highlight a crucial piece of the puzzle: caregivers need care too.
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