Prescription for Primary Care

From 70 to 55: How Burnout Stole 15 Years from Healthcare

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Show Notes
From 70 to 55: How Burnout Stole 15 Years from Healthcare

This episode features an AI-generated conversation exploring Canada's healthcare crisis. Though the discussion is artificial, the research and challenges presented are very real. This marks our second experiment with AI-created podcast content.

This episode explores Canada's family doctor crisis through new research from the Canadian Family Physician Journal, examining causes, patient impacts, and innovative solutions.

Key Statistics
  • 9,375 comprehensive family physicians nationwide (2019-2022) - no growth
  • 15% of family doctors are 65+, serving 1.74 million Canadians
  • 7.2% are 70+ and still working
  • First-ever decline in doctors under 35 choosing comprehensive family medicine
    • The Crisis Drivers
    Aging Workforce
    • Decades of experience lost to retirement
    • Complex patients losing continuity of care
    • Institutional knowledge disappearing
      • COVID-19 Accelerated Burnout
      • Early retirement pushed from 70s to as young as 55
      • Psychological toll and constantly shifting demands
      • Young doctors choosing specialized over comprehensive care
        • Growing Complexity
        • Rising chronic diseases and mental health needs
        • Social determinants: poverty, housing, language barriers
        • More time-consuming patient care requirements
          • Solutions in Action

          Healtheon and similar organizations are piloting:

          1. Reducing Admin Burden - Streamlined booking, billing, automated reminders
          2. Expanding Expertise Access - Remote specialist consultations for rural doctors
          3. Team-Based Care - Nurses, pharmacists, social workers supporting family doctors
          4. Financial Sustainability - Optimizing practice operations within public system
          5. Rural Access - Hybrid in-person/virtual care models
            6. Call to Action

            Solutions exist and are working, but need urgent scaling up. The focus should be on strengthening primary care teams and reimagining service delivery rather than waiting for long-term policy fixes.

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            Prescription for Primary CareBy Healtheon