Removing Red Tape Could Unlock the Equivalent of 9,000 New Doctors: Report

Medical devices are seen in an examination room at a health clinic in Calgary on July 14, 2023. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Removing the bureaucratic burden on Canada’s doctors could free up the equivalent of more than 9,000 full-time physicians to see patients, a new report suggests.

Each hour spent on “unnecessary” paperwork results in extended wait times and a reduction in available appointments for patients, according to a report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Removing this bureaucratic burden could potentially release the equivalent of 9,093 full-time physicians to attend to patients, researchers said.