‘Toxic and unsupportive’ work environment widespread at CancerCare Manitoba, report says [Video]

A majority of the physicians who responded to a Doctors Manitoba request for feedback on CancerCare Manitoba say they’re gravely concerned about the possibility their work environment may hurt their ability to provide proper care to patients, says a report obtained by CBC.

Doctors Manitoba, the professional association for physicians in the province, invited 117 physicians who work or recently worked with CancerCare to share their views in response to a Sept. 20 letter that described a “lack of trust and fear” at the Winnipeg cancer agency. Of the 117, 57 doctors responded.

Recruitment and retention challenges, excessive and increasing workloads, a lack of communication from leadership and a culture of favouritism have contributed to what some physicians described as “a toxic and unsupportive work environment,” the report says.

“Overall, the Doctors Manitoba review found serious concerns from a majority of physicians, concerns that require urgent attention to disrupt a workplace culture described by …