From Burnout to Balance: Practicing Medicine in Toronto vs the US with Dr. Michael Antil Part II
Life and Practice in Canada: My Conversation with Dr. Michael Antil
Episode 48 – Interesting MD
Reflections from Dr. Rob Beck
Hey everyone, Dr. Rob Beck here. First, a huge thank you to all of you who tuned in last week and to those returning for part two of my conversation with Dr. Michael Antil. Your feedback, comments, and connections mean so much—not just for me, but for all the physicians out there searching for a better way to care for their patients and themselves.
This week, we dive deep into what real life and clinical practice are like after making the leap to Canada. If you’re a doctor curious about what it’s actually like to practice medicine here—or if you’re wondering how day-to-day life compares to the high-pressure grind of the U.S.—this episode is for you.
What’s Covered in This Episode?
1. Practice Structure & Administrative Simplicity
Team Setup: In our group in East Toronto, about 40 primary care docs manage nearly 50,000 patients. I’m the only internist—everyone else is family practice, and the diversity is incredible.
Administrative Overhead: My previous practice (of similar size in the U.S.) needed 130 full-time employees just for billing. Here? Two. Yes, two!
Simpler Systems:
One set of forms, one boss, unified billing.
Submit a bill, it gets paid—no audits, no clawbacks, no mysterious black box of lost revenue.
Overhead is 17-19%, far less than the 50–70% we saw back in the States.
2. Physician Compensation & Sacrifice
Surprisingly Comparable Compensation: The Ministry pays about $37 for an office visit (less than a Toronto haircut!), but with low overhead and fewer headaches, take-home pay isn’t drastically different.
Who Really Benefits? Patients. They’re not stuck worrying about surprise bills, endless EOBs, or insurance games.
Sacrifices: Sure, moving meant leaving friends and a familiar system—but not financial security or peace of mind. As I told Dr. Antil, “How much would you pay just to get your life back?”
3. The Joys of Life in Toronto
Work-Life Balance: Most days start at 8am and end at 5pm—with a real lunch break, time for walks, theater, and exploring a vibrant city.
Diversity & Culture: Toronto isn’t just the fourth largest metro in North America—it’s arguably the most culturally diverse city in the world. There’s food, art, and experiences from every continent (my tolerance for Nigerian spice, though, still needs work!).
Safety for Kids: It’s a city where my 12-year-old daughter can safely ride the subway—a level of freedom hard to imagine back in North Carolina.
4. A Different Approach to Healthcare
Patient Interactions: No more battles over what insurance “should” cover. If the health plan doesn’t, patients can choose to pay out-of-pocket—clear, transparent, and no burden on others.
Paperwork: There’s still some (of course!), but it’s manageable and compensated if it’s for third-party insurance. Sick notes are on their way out, too.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an American physician on the edge—burned out, exhausted by the paperwork, tired of fighting for time with your family—there’s another way. As Dr. Antil said, “I haven’t given up financial security to come here, and my patients now have it, too.”
Here’s what stands out for me:
Kinder, cleaner, safer city life.
Real work-life balance.
A simpler, saner system for both docs and patients.
Do you have questions? Curious about making a similar move? Reach out to me at rob@interestingmd.com. I’m more than happy to connect, answer questions, or help you find the right resources.
And, as always, LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. It helps others find these conversations—and might just change someone’s life.
See you next week as we dig into taxes, licensing, and immigration details for international physicians.
Stay curious,
Dr. Rob Beck