Questioning physicians about health conditions at medical licensure registration: How should policy evolve in Canada?
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KEY POINTS Physicians report higher rates of depression, anxiety, burnout and suicidal ideation than the general population, yet are less likely to seek treatment.[1][1],[2][2] Moreover, increasing numbers of medical learners report having chronic health and mental health conditions, attention-

KEY POINTS

  • Physicians have higher rates of depression, anxiety, burnout and suicidal ideation than the general population, but are less likely to seek treatment.
  • Questions on medical licensure applications may pose barriers to disclosure and help-seeking for physicians with medical conditions and can lead to negative impacts on both physician health and patient care.
  • Recent Canadian and international guidance states that questions on licensure applications should focus on current functional impairment rather than the presence of diagnosis or past impairment.
  • Most Canadian jurisdictions do not follow the current guidance.