Our Physicians are stressed out - No kidding!

The news today revealed a Canadian Medical Association Survey conducted last fall. It consisted of more than 4100 doctors and medical students (I think it would have been better to separate the doctors from the medical students to study their responses and why if any differences). 53% of the physicians have symptoms of burn out. The survey suggested that 1/4 experience severe or moderate anxiety; 1/2 are struggling with depression and 36% had suicidal thoughts in their life time (it would have been nice to know how many had suicidal thoughts during their life as a physician). This was up 18% since 2017. This is what the news revealed. The pandemic has increased mental suffering which is a no brainer. Physicians have been taken advantage of since I can remember. They were worked to the bone before the pandemic and now well, it is impossible out there. Where is the happiest place in the world? Should people start submitting applications? Recently while unsuccessfully looking for a car which isn't dying and finding a dealership less than ethical in my opinion, though they advertise no gimmicks had apparently two physicians from other countries selling cars. In a weekly peer thing, a physician from another country who came to Canada 20 years ago is not practicing as a physician. My hairdresser who came from Ukraine years ago is married to a physician who is riding a bus. One of the physicians told me that our school system is hard. My response: "Go back to school. Of course it is hard." I don't think we should decrease our expectations for the knowledge that our physicians have, our standard, but there has to be a better way. Why not have licensed physicians from other countries work in the hospitals assisting and learning under supervision with our own physicians. People need to get paid and education is expensive. Why not encourage, by having a signed contract where we can help educate more but also ensure we get our funding in return by having them work 5 years or 10 years or so as physicians after their education is complete and they are licensed here, in needed areas. We need them out of jobs they are settling for because of cirmstances to make a living and back where they have been trained for and into the hospitals. We need to stop forcing our physicians to work (and I am going to add nurses) beyond their threshold. People who are forcing them to do this, probably couldn't do the same themselves. We need to adapt and need to do so sooner rather than later. We also need to take a wake up pill and start voting accordingly. Do you want to vote for someone you can have a beer with or do you want to vote for someone who can do the best for us. We cannot keep making the same mistakes over and over because we think it can save money. It actually costs more. For physicians and nurses - boundaries need to be set, take your vacations and have mini ones, each day mentally. Surround yourself with positive people, learn mindfullness and other relaxing techniques. Spend some time in nature each day even if it is to go outside and take a mini break or lunch. If people notice you are stressed, slow down. All too often people don't realize how stressed they are themselves. It can creep up. These are just a few pointers. Let's start to seriously take care of those who care for others. We need them. Politicians, listen to the doctors when they tell you what is needed. They know. What do you think?