Reducing Administrative Burden: A Practical Guide for Family Physicians

About this resource

This guide helps family physicians systematically identify sources of administrative burden and implement practical reductions using evidence-based strategies, templates and scripts.

Use this when…

• You are spending more time on paperwork than on patient care
• You want to streamline referrals, prior authorizations or documentation
• You are onboarding a new medical office assistant and want to establish efficient workflows
• Your practice is considering moving to a new EMR or changing workflows

Key takeaways

1. Map your current workflow before making changes — identify the top five time-consuming administrative tasks.
2. Batch similar tasks — schedule set times for messages, forms and referrals rather than responding ad-hoc.
3. Use standardized templates for the most common referral types and prior authorization forms.
4. Engage your team — MOAs and other team members can handle many administrative tasks with the right training and tools.
5. Track your time savings — even informal before/after comparisons help sustain momentum.

Sections

• Current administrative burden in Ontario family medicine
• Top 10 quick wins for reducing paperwork
• Team-based delegation strategies
• EMR optimization tips
• Templates and scripts included
• External tools and resources