Ontario aims to ease paperwork burden for family doctors
Ontario is taking steps to reduce the administrative load on family doctors. Employees seeking to utilize their three days of provincially mandated annual sick leave will no longer require a doctor's note.
Dr. Sahira Charania and her brother Dr. Hanif Charania, who have been practicing family medicine for more than 30 years, say the amount paperwork they have to deal with has become overwhelming.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"It just creates a lot of extra stress for everybody, which is unnecessary," says Dr. Sahira Charania.
Both Sahira and Hanif understand that sick notes can sometimes be necessary. The Ontario Medical Association says administrative work by doctors can take up to 19 hours per week.
"It takes time for us to write the notes. More importantly, it may also be taking time away from other people who may need those spots who are truly sick for other reasons, whether it's in the after hours clinic or our daytime office, while other patients are solely coming here for a sick note when they can really look after these health issues on their own," explains Dr. Hanif Charania.
Beyond the three days, employees could still be responsible for providing a sick note, which usually comes with a fee of about $15.
"What if you're sick beyond those three days, what are the rules and what are the rights and obligations of employers and employees anywhere beyond that? And that's where essentially the rules are going to stay the same, which is that an employer does have the right to ask for a medical note," said Alex Lucifero, partner and employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
While employers can still request proof of illness, such as self-attestations or pharmacy receipts, some, like Shawna Wilson-Allen, manager at a local business, says she usually never asks for a sick note from her employees, unless they abuse their sick leave.
"I trust my employees, but that doesn't mean that every company trusts theirs," says Wilson-Allen. "So I very rarely ask for a doctor's note unless it's somebody that has an issue with being out a lot. I trust my people when they say that they're sick."
Donald Makori, an employee, criticizes the requirement for doctor's notes, describing it as difficult for individuals simply in need of rest.
"I find it ridiculous that if someone is sick that they have to take time instead of resting at home, take time to get to the doctor, get a note. Even if it's something like they just need a day of rest," says Makori.
With these new changes, family physicians are hopeful it will alleviate the administrative burden on doctors' offices, enhancing efficiency across the healthcare system.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.