About this engagement
What was the goal of this member survey?
To measure overall physician engagement, as well as their thoughts on health and safety across all health authorities in the province. Doctors of BC has asked the same set of core questions since 2016, and the survey results influence physician engagement discussions at provincial, regional, and local levels.
To continue working together with health authority senior leaders and Medical Staff Associations to outline improvement strategies and develop locally informed solutions, through Engagement Response Plans (ERPs).
To provide physicians with the opportunity to share their views about the provincial health authority reviews that are underway.
How did we seek member input?
All-member engagement
The 2025 Health Authority Engagement Survey ran between October 1–30, 2025. On October 1, member physicians received an email inviting them to participate. The survey was conducted by the external polling firm TWI Surveys.
Members received weekly email reminders throughout October and were also encouraged to participate via social media and the Doctors of BC website.
Number of participants
2,387 members
Type of practice
Family physician: 47%; Specialist: 53%
Primary practice
Community-based: 45%; Hospital-based: 55%
Geographic setting
Rural: 23%; Urban: 77%
What did we learn?
Physician Engagement across BC
Although we notice a slight decrease in overall provincial scores (from 33% to 32%), the survey reveals notable regional differences and trends in physician engagement. Some areas continued to show improvement or remained stable, while others saw declines. These results present opportunities for learning and require further investigation.
Physical and Psychological Safety Trends
Open-ended comments about psychological and physical safety were both revealing and a powerful call to action. Physicians shared that physical violence most often comes from patients, with contributing factors ranging from mental health and addiction challenges to upset patients and their family members.
While incidents related to psychological safety can include bullying or harassment from patient interactions, they can also originate from health authority leadership, other health care staff, and even physician colleagues.
Health Authority Review Feedback
Members provided more than 6,000 comments regarding the ongoing provincial health authority reviews.
We know that physicians have first-hand experience and valuable knowledge that can inform efficiencies and redirect savings to frontline services.
Members shared how administrative burdens are still a critical barrier to patient care, and that the existing governance structures for communication and feedback need to be clearer.
They suggested that administrative funds be redirected to enhance system efficiencies and grow the health care workforce, while funding resources to boost capacity (beds, diagnostic services, operating rooms) and ensure a healthy and safe work environment.
Key takeaways
- The results show that engaged leadership and meaningful conversations between these leaders and physicians significantly drive overall engagement and your sense of physical and psychological safety at work.
- The results highlight the importance of cultivating an engaging, healthy, and safe work environment for physicians in an ever-challenging health care system.
- Physicians on the ground have innovative ideas, decades of experience, and diverse backgrounds, making their input invaluable.
- Your responses lay the groundwork for continued advocacy on behalf of the profession, informing strategic conversations in meetings with health authorities, the government, and Medical Staff Associations (MSAs), and guiding the work of our various committees.
More detailed findings from our health authority engagement survey are available:
Three-year engagement trend
Engagement scores across health authorities and provincial scores.
| 2025 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial | 32% | 33% | 36% |
| Vancouver Coastal | 43% | 42% | 41% |
| PHSA | 38% | 37% | 33% |
| Northern | 30% | 30% | 39% |
| Interior | 29% | 33% | 36% |
| Fraser | 28% | 32% | 36% |
| Island | 26% | 25% | 30% |
What's next?
The next Health Authority Engagement Survey will be held in the fall of 2027.
Your responses help inform how we advocate on your behalf for you and your colleagues. More specifically, Doctors of BC will revisit the ERPs and continue to work with members and health authority partners to create tangible changes and improvements for doctors and patients alike.
Presentations on the survey results can be made upon request. Please contact advocacy@doctorsofbc.ca if you have questions, comments, or would like to arrange a presentation.