Survey Reveals Sharp Decline in Physician Job Satisfaction Across British Columbia
A comprehensive survey conducted by Doctors of B.C. has uncovered troubling trends in physician morale, with job satisfaction declining significantly across provincial health authorities. The 2025 survey, which gathered responses from nearly 2,400 physicians throughout British Columbia, indicates growing frustration among medical professionals, particularly those working within the Fraser and Interior health authorities.
Regional Disparities Highlight Systemic Challenges
The survey results reveal stark regional differences in physician satisfaction levels. While some health authorities demonstrated modest improvements, Fraser Health experienced a concerning nine percentage point decline in job satisfaction compared to previous reports. Even more alarming, Interior Health saw a substantial twelve percentage point drop in physician satisfaction ratings.
"Health authorities face some challenges, but generally, I think over the last year, in particular, those two health authorities have faced acute challenges for physicians," explained Dr. Adam Thompson, president of Doctors of B.C. The survey examined multiple dimensions of workplace experience, including leadership transparency, physical and psychological safety, and overall practice environment satisfaction.
Multiple Factors Contributing to Physician Dissatisfaction
Several interconnected issues appear to be driving the decline in physician satisfaction. Hospitals within the Fraser and Interior Health authorities have recently undergone significant organizational changes, including leadership transitions, emergency room closures, and staffing reductions. These disruptions have created challenging working conditions that contribute directly to physician burnout.
"There have been challenging areas such as emergency departments, pediatrics, obstetrics, radiology, to name a few," noted Dr. Thompson. "And I think overall, the results reflect the concerns physicians have about their work environment and their ability to deliver care."
Specific Concerns Identified in Survey Responses
The survey data reveals particular areas of concern for physicians working within these health authorities:
- Only 44 percent of physicians reported satisfaction with their health authority as a place to practice medicine, representing a four-point decline from 2023 levels
- Fraser Health physicians reported decreased confidence in belonging to collaborative, patient-centered teams (down six percentage points)
- Access to necessary equipment and resources declined by three percentage points at Fraser Health
- Physician input into practice environment changes decreased by two percentage points
While Interior Health showed a slight improvement in team collaboration metrics, other indicators followed similar negative trends observed at Fraser Health.
Broader Implications for Healthcare Delivery
The declining satisfaction rates raise serious questions about the long-term sustainability of healthcare delivery in affected regions. "All physicians go into the job because they care and they want to look after people and make people's lives better," emphasized Dr. Thompson. "And if they can't do that, it gives them a decrease in confidence that they're helping, that they're being supported by the health authority to do the work they want to do."
Despite these concerning trends, the survey did identify some positive developments. Across all health authorities, the percentage of physicians reporting inadequate access to equipment and resources decreased from 39 percent to 36 percent, suggesting some improvement in resource allocation.
The 2025 survey results underscore the urgent need for health authorities to address systemic issues affecting physician satisfaction and retention. As British Columbia continues to navigate healthcare challenges, understanding and responding to physician concerns will be crucial for maintaining quality patient care across the province.
