Toxicity and Challenges at CancerCare Manitoba: Urgent Concerns
A recent report obtained by CBC sheds light on the troubling work environment at CancerCare Manitoba, where many physicians express concern over its impact on patient care. The findings highlight a ‘toxic and unsupportive’ work environment that is affecting numerous aspects of the facility’s operations. Here’s an in-depth look into the challenges faced by the healthcare providers at CancerCare Manitoba.
Alarming Feedback from Physicians
Doctors Manitoba conducted a feedback survey inviting 117 physicians related to CancerCare to share their insights into the work culture. Of those, 57 responded, voicing their serious concerns about their ability to deliver quality care in such an environment. The report identifies issues such as:
- Recruitment and retention challenges
- Excessive and increasing workloads
- Lack of communication and transparency from leadership
- Culture of favoritism affecting decision-making processes
“Overall, the feedback paints a picture of a workplace culture that necessitates urgent intervention,” the report notes. Disturbingly, some physicians feel pressured by leadership biases in regards to recruitment, promotions, and research support.
The Fear of Speaking Out
There’s a prevalent fear among the physicians, many of whom are hesitant to voice their concerns without assurances of confidentiality due to fear of retribution. This is particularly true among newer physicians. One respondent shared, “I feel that I have to ‘watch my back’ at every turn because I do not trust that individuals around me won’t turn on me for anything I do.”
The foreboding environment fosters a culture of silence, where only 13% of physicians believe the health system is responsive to their concerns. Additionally, only 38% feel they can raise concerns without fear of negative repercussions.
High Turnover and Staffing Struggles
The challenges CancerCare Manitoba is facing include high staff turnover, with 16 physicians having departed over the past five years and 19 recruited. However, the turnover rate is reportedly three times higher than the provincial average. Recruitment is further complicated by a pending lawsuit against senior administration, concerning a broken recruitment contract.
Only 28% of physicians expressed confidence that a vacancy in their role could easily be filled if they were to leave, which indicates a troubling staffing situation. Several physicians have indicated their reluctance to recommend a position at CancerCare Manitoba to their peers from other regions.
Positive Feedback and Controversial Allegations
Amidst the predominantly negative feedback, some physicians did acknowledge that the CancerCare leadership is “doing the best they could” given the recruitment challenges. However, it also emerged that some respondents felt coerced to send positive feedback, raising questions around the credibility of the favorable comments.
Serious allegations of inappropriate conduct by senior CancerCare administration, potentially violating ethical codes, have been reported to the agency’s board and the provincial ombudsman. However, the ombudsman’s office has not commented publicly due to its mandate for private investigations.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report outlines key recommendations to address these pressing issues:
- Rebuilding trust and psychological safety for physicians
- Enhancing physician engagement
- Focusing on physician wellness
- Supporting leadership excellence
Implementing these recommendations is crucial for upholding Manitoba’s commitment to “simplify and strengthen governance and accountability for quality across the system,” as per the Shared Health Quality and Learning Framework.
Leadership’s Commitment to Address Issues
Despite some disagreements with the report’s findings, CancerCare Manitoba’s board assures commitment to fostering a culture of wellness among its staff. Outgoing CEO Dr. Sri Navaratnam expressed regret over the dissatisfaction among the physicians.
In response to the report, Manitoba’s health minister Uzoma Asagwara has been in communication with CancerCare’s board to ensure that the physicians’ concerns are duly addressed. The minister emphasizes an optimistic outlook for the agency, anchored by a new, promising 10-year strategy for cancer services excellence in the province.
For now, the path forward requires a committed effort from all stakeholders to resolve the deep-seated issues plaguing CancerCare Manitoba and restore it to a place of excellence in healthcare delivery.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/report-toxic-workplace-culture-cancercare-manitoba-1.7413415