Red tape and excessive administrative tasks are robbing people in B.C. of millions of visits to their doctor every year. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

red tape

Excessive paperwork ‘hurting with physician fatigue and burn out’ in B.C.

Feb 1, 2023 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO — The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is suggesting a path forward for healthcare reform in B.C., focusing on a reduction of red tape.

A closer look at a 2020 study from Nova Scotia showed doctors are spending more time on paperwork and administrative work, taking attention and availability away from patients.

Jairo Yunis, B.C. senior policy analyst with the CFIB said data from the Maritimes was ported over to B.C. and suggested doctors here spend a combined 2.6 million hours on unnecessary paperwork per year.

“That translates to roughly eight million patient visits annually,” Yunis said. “Some examples of red tape in healthcare the Nova Scotia study found was overly long, complex or redundant paperwork, duplicative and out of date processes, a lot of work dealing with insurance companies.”

Licencing, audits, billing, patient scheduling and meetings were also labeled as common things taking time away from patient visits.

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Nova Scotia set a goal of reducing red tape by 10 per cent, a process which would theoretically open up 800,000 more patient visits in B.C. annually.

Yunis said the provincial government has made some positive moves toward healthcare reform, including removing barriers for internationally-trained professionals.

He added a combination of policy change and red tape reduction is required for results.

“It’s also hurting with physician fatigue and burn out. If we cut 10 per cent of that unnecessary administrative work, that would mean 800,000 more patient visits in the province. That would definitely increase access to healthcare and patient care and reduce burnout.”

The CFIB began looking into healthcare policy as a result of feedback from their members.

When polled, 88 per cent of small business owners said addressing healthcare should be a priority for the government, while 87 per cent identified reducing paperwork as a key focus.

“Small business owners are also patients, some of them are also doctors so this really impacts every single Canadian. No matter the challenges we face as a society, whether it’s improving access to healthcare, affording a home or dealing with high energy prices, we believe government should always consider red tape reduction as part of the solution.”

More on the CFIB’s findings are available here.

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