Manitoba doctors getting sick of sick notes: report

A new report from Doctors Manitoba is calling for major changes to the way sick notes are issued in Manitoba, saying they are a waste of time for doctors and employers.

A new report from Doctors Manitoba is calling for major changes to the way sick notes are issued in Manitoba, saying they are a waste of time for doctors and employers.

The report, released Friday, was created by a joint task force between the province and Doctors Manitoba. It is aimed at reducing administrative burdens on doctors, allowing them to see more patients.

"There is limited access to physicians in Manitoba due to a significant doctor shortage, and sick note requests consume limited available capacity," the report reads.

Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president-elect with Doctors Manitoba, said there are some instances where sick notes are necessary for patients, such as when an illness is not outward facing.

"On the other hand, there are a lot of employers who I feel use the medical system to monitor and legitimize their employee absenteeism," she said.

Manitoba is one of only three provinces with no prescribed limits on the use of sick notes.

According to the report, over 600,000 sick notes are requested each year, which results in 36,000 hours of physician time being used to write them.