Physician burnout has doubled since the onset of the pandemic, according to a new survey.

The Canadian Medical Association’s 2021 National Physician Health Survey found that half of all doctors polled are feeling burnt out, and are considering cutting back their clinical hours in the next two years.

Dr. Ann Collins, past president of the CMA, says the pandemic has taken a huge toll on physicians.

Prior to the pandemic, 30-35 percent of physicians were reporting burnout, but that number has since climbed to 53 percent, leading to the potential slash in work hours.

Collins says this will have a tremendous impact on primary care, especially with the significant backlog in surgeries in the province.

She says policy makers have to be aware of the impact these backlogs, coupled with physician burnout, will have on Canadians.