ER Doctors Are Quitting: How to Beat Long Wait Times

A new national study is putting numbers to something many Canadians already feel in the waiting room: emergency departments are stretched thinner than ever, and the doctors who staff them are burning out fast. If you've ever sat for hours in an Ontario ER for something that wasn't quite an emergency, this is why — and here's how to get care faster without gambling on a life-threatening wait.

What the new research found

A study published this month in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) surveyed 410 emergency medicine physicians across every Canadian province and territory except Yukon and Nunavut. The results, led by Dr. Kerstin de Wit, an emergency physician at Kingston Health Sciences Centre and professor at Queen's University, paint a stark picture:

• 10% of respondents had already left emergency medicine entirely.
• 48% had cut back their clinical hours.
• 20% had taken a leave of absence.
• Women and younger physicians reported the highest burnout rates.

"The prevailing theme was that the health care system is broken," the authors wrote, describing emergency departments increasingly forced to "make up for system inadequacies" with fewer resources and less support.

Why this means longer waits for patients

The timing lines up with other troubling data. A June 2026 report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that wait times for admitted patients receiving care in the emergency department have grown every year, and that a growing share of patients leave without ever being seen by a physician.

Fewer emergency physicians, covering the same (or greater) patient volumes, is a direct path to longer waits — particularly for people whose conditions are urgent but not immediately life-threatening. Dr. Catherine Varner, a CMAJ deputy editor, warned in an accompanying editorial that "access to 24-hour emergency care in Canada is at risk" without urgent action from provincial and federal governments.

For patients, that makes it more important than ever to know your options before you're stuck in a packed waiting room.

How to get care faster right now

You don't have to default to the ER for every health concern. A few practical steps can save you hours:

• Check live ER wait times before you go. CanClinics' ER wait time tracker shows current estimated waits at emergency departments across Ontario, including Brampton Civic Hospital and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, so you can see whether a nearby ER is backed up before you leave home.
• Use a walk-in clinic for non-emergencies. Sprains, minor infections, cold and flu symptoms, and prescription renewals rarely need an ER visit. Find a walk-in clinic near you — most see patients same-day without an appointment.
• Book with a family doctor when you can. If your issue isn't urgent, searching for a family doctor accepting new patients is often faster than an ER for follow-up care, ongoing conditions, or routine concerns.
• Consider urgent care for in-between cases. Injuries and illnesses that need same-day attention but aren't life-threatening — think a suspected fracture or a bad ear infection — are exactly what urgent care centres are built for.
• Don't let mental health crowd the ER unnecessarily. Emergency departments are also absorbing patients who need mental health support but not acute psychiatric care. If you're struggling, explore mental health resources and clinics that can help before a situation escalates.
• Cold and flu season adds to ER strain every year. Cold and flu care options outside the ER can keep you — and everyone else waiting — out of the busiest rooms in the hospital.

When you should still go to the ER — or call 911

None of this is a reason to avoid emergency care when you genuinely need it. Go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911, immediately if you or someone nearby has:

• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
• Severe shortness of breath
• Sudden confusion, fainting, or loss of consciousness
• Signs of stroke — face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
• Uncontrolled bleeding or a severe injury
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing)

If you're unsure whether your situation is an emergency, err on the side of calling 911 or going to the ER — the guidance above is about avoiding unnecessary ER visits, never about delaying care for something serious.

Find care near you

Whether you're in Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, or London, CanClinics can help you find a walk-in clinic, family doctor, or urgent care centre near you — often faster than waiting out an overloaded ER. Search clinics near you to get started.

FAQ

Why are Ontario ER wait times getting worse? A shrinking pool of emergency physicians — driven by burnout, reduced hours, and physicians leaving the specialty — is colliding with rising patient volumes, according to the new CMAJ study and a June 2026 CIHI report on emergency department wait times.

Is it safe to go to a walk-in clinic instead of the ER? Yes, for non-life-threatening issues. Walk-in clinics can handle minor injuries, infections, colds and flu, and prescription renewals. Save the ER for chest pain, severe breathing trouble, stroke symptoms, uncontrolled bleeding, or loss of consciousness.

How do I know if an ER near me is busy right now? CanClinics' live ER wait time tracker shows current estimated waits at emergency departments across Ontario, updated regularly, so you can choose the fastest option nearby.

What should I do if I don't have a family doctor? You can still get care. Search for family doctors accepting new patients in your area, or use a walk-in clinic in the meantime for anything that can't wait.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Source: Medical Xpress / CMAJ — Emergency physician burnout: 1 in 10 leaving specialty in Canada

— CanClinics Team