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.
The publicly funded health system is facing major challenges that threaten to render it unsustainable in the long run. The major areas of concerns include the patient average wait time, the shortage of professional medical personnel and the increasing challenges of funding.
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 concern forced the government to develop a plan to address the issue in provincial hospitals by reducing wait time particularly in the areas of cancer, heart diseases, diagnostic imaging, sight restoration and joint replacement. The plan was enrolled in 2005 but the latest surveys still indicate waiting time as their number one concern. This is persistent in the areas of specialized surgery and elective surgery where this country continues to score poorly.
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.
All these challenges in addition to smaller ones like shortage of beds in wards in a significant numbers of public hospitals and the concern that budgetary allocation towards this health policy put a lot of strains in this the economy increases concerns as to whether this policy will be sustainable in the long run.
This means that the most cherished national treasure in Canada is at stake and something must be done. As currently structured, administered and financed, this system will need a radical surgery in order to give the true value to Canadians.
The publicly funded health system is facing major challenges that threaten to render it unsustainable in the long run. The major areas of concerns include the patient average wait time, the shortage of professional medical personnel and the increasing challenges of funding.
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 concern forced the government to develop a plan to address the issue in provincial hospitals by reducing wait time particularly in the areas of cancer, heart diseases, diagnostic imaging, sight restoration and joint replacement. The plan was enrolled in 2005 but the latest surveys still indicate waiting time as their number one concern. This is persistent in the areas of specialized surgery and elective surgery where this country continues to score poorly.
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.
All these challenges in addition to smaller ones like shortage of beds in wards in a significant numbers of public hospitals and the concern that budgetary allocation towards this health policy put a lot of strains in this the economy increases concerns as to whether this policy will be sustainable in the long run.
This means that the most cherished national treasure in Canada is at stake and something must be done. As currently structured, administered and financed, this system will need a radical surgery in order to give the true value to Canadians.
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