Canada has scored very well particularly in the basic healthcare system which has seen prevention of costly hospital admissions resulting from chronic conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and asthma. The survival rate of those diagnosed with breast cancer and other cancers is also higher among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries as revealed by World Health Organization. This in addition to the surveys that put the Canadian satisfaction rate with the public health policy at 85% paints a picture of a highly valued health system. The problems with universal healthcare in Canada are however revealed with many studies done on this system.
These concerns threaten to render this noble course unsustainable if not addressed. The major areas that noted numerous complains include waiting time and insufficient number of healthcare professionals which persist disregarding the prevailing economic conditions of the country.
The Wait Time Challenges. Most of the surveys put this as the number one challenge in the Canadian health system as some surveys reveal that up to 59% of patients wait for a period of more than four weeks before they eventually get appointment with a particular health specialist.
The challenge is particularly worse when it come to diseases that are classified as acute and requires specialized attention. Heart diseases, cancer, joint replacement, sight restoration and diagnostic imaging are some of the areas where Canada scores poorly in terms of waiting period before seeing a doctor.
The shortage of health professionals is also a challenge in health sector. There is evidence of brain drain where some doctors are known to cross borders to the United States where the pay is considered to be slightly better. This contributes to shortage in the number of doctors available to take care of patients particularly those suffering from chronic diseases.
The Shortage of Doctors and other Medical Specialists. Canada has experienced brain drain in regards to medical professionals. Many health specialists have been crossing the border to United States where they earn much more as compared to their home country. This in turn has contributed to increase in doctor to patient ratio and is considered to be one of the major contributor to long waiting time. As much as the numbers of doctors immigrating to United States is relatively small, the impact such a migration leaves is heavily felt in the health sector.
Nurses are also not happy. They have put up demands which include an increase in numbers of nurses, better education and maximization of the scope of practice. Such concerns cannot be ignored as they play crucial role in success of this universal health system.
The government directs a huge portion of the budget into funding of the public healthcare. The strain has seen the national insurance failing to cover some supplemental benefits such as dental care. This means that the patients have to turn to private sources for treatments in such areas.
Despite these shortcomings, many Canadians still value their health system very much and would prefer that the problems with universal healthcare in Canada are addressed rather than the whole system being shut down. Those in favor of the radical measures in correcting the system are still the majority according to a poll conducted in 2007 by Queens University Kingston, Ontario.
These concerns threaten to render this noble course unsustainable if not addressed. The major areas that noted numerous complains include waiting time and insufficient number of healthcare professionals which persist disregarding the prevailing economic conditions of the country.
The Wait Time Challenges. Most of the surveys put this as the number one challenge in the Canadian health system as some surveys reveal that up to 59% of patients wait for a period of more than four weeks before they eventually get appointment with a particular health specialist.
The challenge is particularly worse when it come to diseases that are classified as acute and requires specialized attention. Heart diseases, cancer, joint replacement, sight restoration and diagnostic imaging are some of the areas where Canada scores poorly in terms of waiting period before seeing a doctor.
The shortage of health professionals is also a challenge in health sector. There is evidence of brain drain where some doctors are known to cross borders to the United States where the pay is considered to be slightly better. This contributes to shortage in the number of doctors available to take care of patients particularly those suffering from chronic diseases.
The Shortage of Doctors and other Medical Specialists. Canada has experienced brain drain in regards to medical professionals. Many health specialists have been crossing the border to United States where they earn much more as compared to their home country. This in turn has contributed to increase in doctor to patient ratio and is considered to be one of the major contributor to long waiting time. As much as the numbers of doctors immigrating to United States is relatively small, the impact such a migration leaves is heavily felt in the health sector.
Nurses are also not happy. They have put up demands which include an increase in numbers of nurses, better education and maximization of the scope of practice. Such concerns cannot be ignored as they play crucial role in success of this universal health system.
The government directs a huge portion of the budget into funding of the public healthcare. The strain has seen the national insurance failing to cover some supplemental benefits such as dental care. This means that the patients have to turn to private sources for treatments in such areas.
Despite these shortcomings, many Canadians still value their health system very much and would prefer that the problems with universal healthcare in Canada are addressed rather than the whole system being shut down. Those in favor of the radical measures in correcting the system are still the majority according to a poll conducted in 2007 by Queens University Kingston, Ontario.
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