New survey shows rising strain among family physicians compared to international peers

2026-04-23

Newly released data about family physicians in Canada show mounting strain relative to international peers. The 2025 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians, released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, spans 10 high-income countries and points to a clear trend: 38 per cent of family doctors report at least one symptom of burnout (vs. 30 per cent internationally), 44 per cent frequently experience emotional distress, and satisfaction with practising medicine has fallen from 88 per cent in 2019 to 72 per cent in 2025.

This should serve as a warning to policy-makers. Family doctors are foundational to Canada’s health system, yet six million Canadians lack access to one. Reversing this trend requires targeted action to stabilize and support the family doctor workforce.

Administrative burden must be central to that response. Paperwork consumes about 20 per cent of physicians’ time—above the international average—while poor work-life balance and weak digital interoperability add strain. The College of Family Physicians of Canada calls on the federal government to cut low-value forms, invest in time-saving tools like AI scribes, and strengthen the financial sustainability of family practices.

Delivering on these priorities would improve physician well-being, expand access, and reinforce the resilience of Canada’s health system.