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Agreed. Same way you should not believe Canadians when they speak about the US System. As someone who has lived in both countries and experienced both systems on both a personal and professional level I can convincingly say that almost every post I see from either side of the border about each other's healthcare system is embarassingly inaccurate and misinformed.
Personally I would hate if the US moved towards a Canadian style system, as it would not work in the US. Same way I would not expect Canada to adopt a system similar to the US. When reforming a Healthcare System it is disastorous to completely destroy the basic foundation that either system was developed on.
Hopefully the ACA eventally grows into something similar to a hybrid of the Swiss, Dutch and Massachusetts healthcare systems, that would be the ideal situation.
How different is the MA's healthcare system compared to the rest of the US? I thought they were all pretty much the same?
So, after 70 posts, what it comes down to, in my opinion is this word............Profit.
The Canadian system is based on a "break even " accounting system, where the costs are controlled, but the staff get paid properly, and the care is patient centred. One billing system, one paying source, and one monthly computer invoice, from the MD to the Provincial Ministry of Health. No MD in Canada is allowed to buy drugs from a pharmaceutical company and then SELL them to patients for a profit. In the USA that is done all the time, for a PROFIT.
Healthcare in the US is a for profit BUSINESS. In Canada we see it as a Public Service, that is available to everyone who is either a Canadian Citizen, or a Permanent Resident in Canada. It is one of the things that WE as Canadians are proud of, and any Canadian politician who even whispered the idea of removing it, would be committing political suicide. So, lets lay that one to rest.......we like it, and we want to keep it.
To, me the US health care nightmare is typical of the attitude that says..............I'm all right Jack, sink or swim ............ on your own. Canadians don't think that way, thank god.
Jim b. In Toronto.
But don't you guys have to visit the GP first? e.g. You can't see the dermatologist immediately for your acne, warts, etc.??
The American system enables one to be financially raped while having to wait for care. In contrast, my uncle in Canada got his operation in a week and paid very little.
Then why do so many Canadians have to wait for several months? (including endoscopy)
But don't you guys have to visit the GP first? e.g. You can't see the dermatologist immediately for your acne, warts, etc.??
Possibly for an initial referal but afterwords you can see the dermatologist directly and make appointments directly with the office... In the case of my acne - I didn't even go to a derm, my GP gave me a prescription for Retin A micro and that took care of the problem in a few weeks.
Then why do so many Canadians have to wait for several months? (including endoscopy)
Where did you hear that and for what region?.. I would imagine wait times would vary based on triage but a source would be nice. I've never had an endoscopy and don't know anyone who has had one so don't know.
But don't you guys have to visit the GP first? e.g. You can't see the dermatologist immediately for your acne, warts, etc.??
A patient doesn't get to diagnose themself and decide what kind of medical specialist they think they need. Their GP is the one who determines if the patient actually needs to see a specialist, and if the patient does need a specialist it's the GP who makes the referral and first appointment. I'm pretty sure the same referral policy would be in place in all countries otherwise a lot of specialists would be getting their valuable time wasted by people who don't need their services.
A patient doesn't get to diagnose themself and decide what kind of medical specialist they think they need. Their GP is the one who determines if the patient actually needs to see a specialist, and if the patient does need a specialist it's the GP who makes the referral and first appointment. I'm pretty sure the same referral policy would be in place in all countries otherwise a lot of specialists would be getting their valuable time wasted by people who don't need their services.
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Of course a patient doesn't get to diagnose him/herself. However, it's a common sense for the majority of people to recognize what sort of problems they have, whether that be psychological, dermatological, dental, eye problems, etc...If you feel severe depression or anxiety, the patient knows that s/he should see a psychiatrist! At least hospitals in South Korea, Japan, etc. work this way.
Where did you hear that and for what region?.. I would imagine wait times would vary based on triage but a source would be nice. I've never had an endoscopy and don't know anyone who has had one so don't know.
Just a hunch..I probably have to take that statment back. It might have been referring to Australia. I assumed Canada and Australia(both are British Commonwealth) to be very similar in the way they run their own healthcare systems
Of course a patient doesn't get to diagnose him/herself. However, it's a common sense for the majority of people to recognize what sort of problems they have, whether that be psychological, dermatological, dental, eye problems, etc...If you feel severe depression or anxiety, the patient knows that s/he should see a psychiatrist! At least hospitals in South Korea, Japan, etc. work this way.
Actually even for many of the issues you related above a GP can for example prescribe anti-depressants or dermatalogical scripts.. In cases where the GP feels its beyond their scope than they refer to a Specialist.. You also have to take into account that many extended health care plans allow for direct connection to a Psychiatrist without the need for a GP.. As for dentistry and eye problems, these are also areas where the patient goes directly to the dentist or the optometrist and not the GP so it may not be that different in Canada than other countries. I feel comfortable being screened if you will by my family Doctor.. He knows my history and is best able to manage my overall health. Having said that, if I'm having symptoms of a heart attack i'm not going to my family Dr.. I'm going to Emerg fast...
Of course a patient doesn't get to diagnose him/herself. However, it's a common sense for the majority of people to recognize what sort of problems they have, whether that be psychological, dermatological, dental, eye problems, etc...If you feel severe depression or anxiety, the patient knows that s/he should see a psychiatrist! At least hospitals in South Korea, Japan, etc. work this way.
What info are you in possession of that would support your impression that in Canada someone with a toothache would first have to see their GP for a referral to a dentist.
Also after a response from a Canadian telling you the opposite; why then post the reference to common sense used by other countries, as though Canada is somehow lacking same?
Now, as to common sense: should any universal healthcare system allow for the patient themselves to arrange an initial appointment with any specialist, knowing full well that specialist blocks off a time frame for his visit only to discover the patient had a thing for the receptionist in the outer office, would you then call that a system based upon common sense to prevent unnecessary costs being billed to the system?
Methinks you need a larger wooden spoon.
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