Understanding Physician Health Approaches in Canada

Abstract

In Canada, Medical Regulatory Authorities (MRAs) and provincial/territorial Medical Associations (MAs) have developed approaches to support, manage or regulate physician health. These approaches have proliferated despite an international body of literature documenting several critical issues related to physician health. This study used sequential, multiple methods across two phases to explore physician health approaches in Canada and the perspectives of MRAs and MAs in Canada on the issues in physician health. The first phase used content analysis to explore the publicly available descriptions of physician health approaches and perspectives of MRAs and MAs. The second phase interviewed MRAs and MAs to better understand their approaches and perspectives. There were layers of complexity in their roles that demanded nuanced approaches. Both MRAs and MAs were also limited by their role in a complex adaptive system. Physician health is a complex, multifaceted issue that requires systemic solutions to effect change.