There appears to be a significant decrease in the well-being of physicians across Canada as many doctors report their mental health is worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canadian Medical Association’s new National Physician Health Survey, released Thursday, indicates more than half of doctors (53 percent) report symptoms of burnout, including emotional exhaustion.

The survey suggests a quarter of respondents are experiencing severe or moderate anxiety and almost half of physicians are struggling with depression.

Dr. Alika Lafontaine is the new CMA President and says the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many challenges physicians have been facing for years.

Lafontaine goes on to say provincial governments across Canada have had an “obsession with efficiency” over the last two decades, focusing on getting as many patients through the system for the lowest possible cost without prioritizing the well-being of health-care workers.