OTTAWA – Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) today released the report from its 2018 National Resident Survey, providing valuable empirical data on several issues faced by today’s resident doctors.
The report on full survey results is available at: https://residentdoctors.ca/2018survey
The survey was distributed to members in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, the Maritime Provinces, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Members were asked to provide their views on a number of issues in medical education and residency training including resident wellness, career intentions, and practice management.
Dr. Michael Arget, RDoC President, and Survey Team Co-Chair, said:
“The results of the 2018 RDoC National Resident Survey are enlightening, highlighting some very pressing issues in medical education. The results will be essential for prioritizing where we allocate our resources in the development of policy positions, resources, and advocacy plans to address and further shape the landscape of medical education.”
Dr. Melanie Bechard, RDoC Past-President, and Survey Team Co-Chair, said:
“The 2018 RDoC National Resident Survey provides valuable information about a new generation of Canadian physicians. Our survey uncovered myriad challenges facing resident doctors, including intimidation and harassment, presenteeism, burnout, and depression. We also learned that resident doctors envision a different practice environment from decades past. Residents indicated a desire for national licensure and a preference for salaried payment models. The survey results paint a picture of the future of health care and may serve as an indicator of what is to come.”
Key findings include:
- General satisfaction with career choice 62% said that they would likely or very likely still pursue a career in medicine if they revisited their choice of profession. In addition, 88% of residents would reapply to the same specialty in which they are currently training.
- Residents do not tend to call in sick: Only 4% of residents reported never going to work when feeling ill or unhealthy. Presenteeism is more common, with 91% reporting going to work at least sometimes (24%), often (11%), usually (26%), or always (30%) when feeling ill or unhealthy.
- Intimidation and harassment are prevalent: More than three quarters of residents (78%) experienced at least one form of harassment or intimidation during the year preceding the survey. The most common form of harassment or intimidation experienced was verbal comments, reported by 95% of residents. Patients (77%), allied health professionals (55%), and staff physicians (52%) were the most common sources.
- Residents tend to be happy in their current geographic location: 53% of residents practicing in their home province intend to stay and practice there. 12% practicing outside of their home province intend to stay and practice there.
The report on full survey results is available at: https://residentdoctors.ca/2018survey
Media Contact
Todd Coopee
Manager, Communications & Operations
613-234-6448 x223
tcoopee@residentdoctors.ca
About Resident Doctors of Canada
Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) represents over 10,000 resident doctors across Canada. Established in 1972, we are a not-for-profit organization providing a unified, national voice for our membership. RDoC collaborates with other national health organizations to foster excellence in training, wellness, and patient care.