A survey of 11 countries reveals that Canadian patients enjoy world-class healthcare – but after an extremely long wait
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An international study by the New York-based Commonwealth Fund has revealed that patients in Canada have the worst trouble overall when it comes to accessing health care, but rate the care they receive upon seeing their physicians as among the best in the world.
As reported by the Globe and Mail, the Commonwealth study surveyed 11 countries in 2016: Germany, France, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the US, the UK, and Canada.
The study highlighted eight areas of healthcare, seven of which Canada ranked poorly in. Canada got the following percentage scores and rankings:
Flood also cited the relative lack of control exerted by provincial governments over doctors’ work as a deeper cause. “[Our physicians] still decide, largely, what they do and when they do it. They decide their work hours and how many days a week they want to work,” she said. To address this, some provinces are encouraging group practices where family doctors can share the burden of night and weekend shifts.
The Commonwealth survey also asked about financial healthcare barriers. While only 6% of Canadians reported skipping a doctor’s appointment or medical test due to cost issues, 10% said they either failed to fill prescriptions or skipped doses because they could not afford the out-of-pocket expense.
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As reported by the Globe and Mail, the Commonwealth study surveyed 11 countries in 2016: Germany, France, Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the US, the UK, and Canada.
The study highlighted eight areas of healthcare, seven of which Canada ranked poorly in. Canada got the following percentage scores and rankings:
- Respondents who got a same- or next-day appointment with a doctor or nurse for a medical issue (43% - lowest);
- Respondents who could easily get medical care in the evenings, on weekends, or on holidays without going to emergency (34% - second lowest);
- Respondents who got same-day answers when contacting their regular doctor for a medical concern (59% - lowest);
- Respondents who waited 4 hours or more to be checked at the emergency department (29% - highest);
- Respondents who waited 4 weeks or longer to see a specialist after being advised or deciding to consult one in the last two years (56% - highest);
- Adults who used an emergency department in the past two years (41% - highest);
- Respondents who went to the emergency department for a condition that could have been treated at their usual care provider if they had been available (41% - third highest);
- Respondents who rated the care they got from their doctor in the last year as very good or excellent (74% - second highest)
Flood also cited the relative lack of control exerted by provincial governments over doctors’ work as a deeper cause. “[Our physicians] still decide, largely, what they do and when they do it. They decide their work hours and how many days a week they want to work,” she said. To address this, some provinces are encouraging group practices where family doctors can share the burden of night and weekend shifts.
The Commonwealth survey also asked about financial healthcare barriers. While only 6% of Canadians reported skipping a doctor’s appointment or medical test due to cost issues, 10% said they either failed to fill prescriptions or skipped doses because they could not afford the out-of-pocket expense.
Related stories:
Winnipeg ER wait times are the longest in Canada, says CIHI
Methodology of Fraser Institute’s patient wait-time study called into question
