Health Authority Engagement Surveys

Help drive the change you want to see

The results of our annual Health Authority Engagement Surveys provide a snapshot of how members are feeling about engagement with their health authority and/or local hospital.

This feedback is crucial in helping Doctors of BC build and focus programs and policies to support physician work taking place with their health authorities, and better enables Doctors of BC to advocate for physicians and drive the positive changes you seek.

2023 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

The full results of the 2023 Health Authority Engagement Survey are now available, along with a summary “What we heard” report of the key findings, and a detailed supplemental report. More than 2,600 physicians participated in this eighth year of the survey, providing their opinions on key questions related to engagement and safety where they work, that included 6,000+ comments. 

To track trends over time, physicians are asked the same nine core questions. After several years of increases, this year the survey showed that in most health authorities the scores dropped – likely reflecting the challenges faced in the health care system and by physicians alike. Some of the key challenges included lack of resources and/or staffing, concerns for their own safety, and decreasing ability to influence care where they work. 

Doctors of BC will be meeting with senior leaders of all health authorities to present these survey results and discuss actionable solutions to move forward with, specifically improving health and safety in the workplace, increasing resources available to doctors, including physician voices in planning, and acknowledging the difficulties faced by physicians. We will continue to use the findings from this annual survey to help inform and support ongoing collaborative efforts among physician members, health authorities, the Ministry of Health, and other health-sector stakeholders.

If you have questions about the survey results, or would like to request a presentation, please contact View Email Addressadvocacy@doctorsofbc.ca.

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of key findings
Supplemental report

2022 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

The key findings from 2022 note that while physicians are working hard, they are doing so while experiencing high levels of stress, stemming from multiple health care emergencies, and an under-resourced health care system, among other pressures. Provincially, and in most regions, there are areas of opportunity for physicians to feel safe at work, as well as opportunities to increase communication and engagement levels between our members and their health authorities. These survey results will be used to inform improvements in the workplace for all in BC’s healthcare system.

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report

2021 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

The results from the 2021 survey show that overall, physicians are feeling less satisfied with their health authority as a place to practice medicine, and have concerns regarding access to resources, and workplace safety. While several questions regarding senior leadership remained stable, it was noted that trust in local leadership is greater than at the health authority level. While challenges remain, and fundamental systemic change will take time, these results will be harnessed to help improve the workplace for all in BC’s healthcare system. 

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report

2020 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

The key findings note meaningful improvements in many areas in comparison to previous years. Provincially and in most regions, positive scores have increased across all nine core questions, specifically in areas of overall satisfaction, feeling of belonging, and having opportunities to provide quality patient care. The results also show that levels of communication and engagement between health authorities have improved, even during an exceptionally challenging year. While hurdles certainly remain, these results will be harnessed to help improve the workplace for all in BC’s healthcare system.

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report

2019 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

This year’s key findings show consistency in results compared to 2018. This indicates stability in areas of strength such as physicians’ levels of satisfaction with their health authority, but also in areas of opportunity related to senior leadership engagement. The report also highlights that not only does recent work on engagement need to continue, but additional work is required to help increase engagement and improve the workplace for all in the health care system. 

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report

2018 Doctors of BC Health Authority Engagement Survey

The key findings in this year’s report show notable improvements in physicians’ satisfaction with their health authority as a place to practice medicine. There were also smaller improvements in senior leaders’ communication and transparency in decision-making. Conversely, the report shows a decline in physicians’ ability to provide meaningful input into their practice environment, particularly for family physicians. Overall, while there was progress in some areas, the results confirm that fundamental change will take time. 

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report

2017 Health Authority Engagement Survey

The key findings in the report suggest an improvement in team collaboration along with greater opportunities to provide meaningful input into changes affecting practice environment. Conversely, the report also suggests more needs to be done to improve senior leadership’s communication and level of transparency regarding decision-making.

Survey report
Summary fact sheet of the key findings
Supplemental report