this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2023
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Both good and severely lacking in areas.
The main issues are in access to care in a timely manner for issues that aren't urgent. It can take longer than you want to get treatment on issues that affect quality of life, but not actually life threatening if they aren't treated, whether it be getting into a specialist, getting tests like MRIs or surgery. We also have a significant shortage of family doctors in many places. The aging population and poor affordability of the country are significantly stressing the system though with little relief in sight.
But, if you are sick and need care, you will generally get it when you need it and it isn't going to cost you much as most things are covered by the province's medical services plan (medications, dental, vision, etc. will cost you unfortunately). Personally I've not had many issues when I've needed care. I see a specialist for a condition and other than waiting to get an initial appointment I haven't had to wait an unreasonable amount of time for tests or anything I've had done.
That's the sort of thing that does leave me a bit concerned, however, when you run into scenarios where dangerous problems could have been stopped early by timely testing/routine care. It is reassuring to hear that they'll immediately get you in if you have anything life threatening, but in many cases it is too late once it reaches that point.
I had appendicitis when I was younger, for example, which registers itself as abdominal pain for a few days. I went to my primary care/family doctor who was able to quickly assess what was going on and get me in for surgery that very afternoon at the local hospital.
But if I hadnt been able to do that (if I didn't have a family doctor or a specialist I could see immediately), the tricky thing about appendicitis is that if the pain is not as sharp or if it is initially dismissed as a chronic condition like chrohns or a non-issue like constipation, the pain eventually goes away within a few days. But when that happens, you're probably already dead, as the infection has then spread through the rest of your body.