The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, is based on responses from hundreds of emergency medicine doctors across Canada collected in 2025. It reports that roughly one in ten emergency physicians have left the field entirely. In addition, a large portion of the remaining workforce has shifted toward reduced schedules or periods away from clinical duties as a response to mounting pressures and fatigue.
researchers say burnout is a driving factor behind the exits and schedule changes. The survey’s respondents indicate ongoing stress related to patient volume, administrative tasks, and the emotional toll of emergency care, all of which contribute to decisions to scale back work or depart the specialty.
Experts caution that the findings point to potential impacts on emergency department staffing, patient wait times, and access to urgent care if trends continue. They emphasize the importance of policy and workplace interventions aimed at improving work conditions, mental health support, and staffing adequacy to retain physicians in emergency medicine.
The report does not specify regional differences in exit rates or hours reduced, but it highlights a nationwide pattern. The authors call for additional research to monitor how these trends evolve and to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies intended to mitigate burnout and improve physician retention.
In reaction to the findings, doctors’ associations and hospital administrators may explore concrete steps such as enhanced scheduling flexibility, better wellness resources, and targeted recruitment and retention programs. The study underscores a critical juncture for Canada’s emergency care system as it seeks to balance increasing demand with a professional workforce under strain.