By Dr. Bill (This blog post and any links to external sites have been provided by a third party and are intended for general educational and/or informational purposes only.)
Every physician knows that administrative work is part of the job. What’s less visible – and less talked about – is how much time is spent on non-clinical administrative tasks such as billing, bookkeeping, managing insurance forms, committee work, and office management. These are the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep medical practices running, often at the expense of time with patients and physicians’ personal well-being.
A recent study, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Impact of Non-Clinical Administrative Demand on Canada’s Physicians, examines this issue. Commissioned by Dr.Bill, in partnership with Santis Health, it’s the first-ever study in Canada to focus on the often overlooked non-clinical portion of administrative burden.
Drawing on survey data from nearly 500 physicians, the study found that physicians spend an average of 7.5 hours every week– nearly a full workday – on unpaid non-clinical tasks alone. This is at a time when physician shortages and wait lists are a top issue in our health system.
Among the key study findings:
- Billing emerged as the most time-consuming and challenging non-clinical task.
- 72% of physicians said non-clinical administration contributes significantly to burnout.
- 78% reported reduced job satisfaction.
- 77% said administrative work cuts into the time they can spend with patients.
- Half said their administrative workload is getting worse, not better.
These numbers tell a story that’s both familiar and revealing. While physicians and policymakers have long discussed the weight of paperwork and electronic medical records (EMRs), this data shows how much of the burden rests outside of the clinical systems – work that’s often unpaid and unrecognized.
Physician burnout isn’t a new issue. But what is new is how clearly this study separates non-clinical administration from its clinical counterpart, helping to pinpoint where existing solutions and policies can be improved.
While many of Canada’s current initiatives have focused on improving clinical workflows, there’s an opportunity to better recognize and address the hours physicians spend on non-clinical administration. Physicians need:
- Simpler billing processes that reduce unclear rejections and refusals.
- Tools that integrate seamlessly across clinical and administrative systems
- Smarter use of technology, including artificial intelligence, to automate repetitive tasks like form completion, coding, or note-taking.
The message is clear – better technology and smarter policy can work hand in hand to return valuable time to physicians that they can redirect towards patient care.
Download Hiding in Plain Sight: The Impact of Non-Clinical Administrative Demand on Canada’s Physicians HERE.
Dr.Bill is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or funded by OntarioMD, OMD Educates, the Ontario Medical Association or any of their affiliates. Any references to OntarioMD, OMD Educates, the Ontario Medical Association or any of their affiliates are for promotional or marketing purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement or recommendation of any products or solutions offered by third parties.
