Canadians happy with primary health care, study says

[Bragi]

The largest survey on primary health care ever conducted in Canada found that most people have high praise for their family doctor, and a staggering 92 per cent would recommend their physician to a relative or friend.

Canadians – except those living in Nunavut – have excellent access to primary health care: 85 per cent of people aged 12 and older have a regular doctor, and two thirds have been seeing the same doctor for five years or more, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) study, released yesterday.

“I feel darn good that 92 per cent of Canadians would recommend their family doctor to a friend. That is the litmus test,” said Sharon Johnston, a family physician and University of Ottawa professor. Very few Canadians complained about not having a family doctor – despite the oft-repeated grievance about a shortage of physicians in some parts of the country.

The report is being released just as the Canadian health-care system is coming under increased scrutiny south of the border...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/canadians-happy-with-primary-health-care-study-says/article1229169/

The Canadian Institute for Health Information is a highly-respected, non-political research body.
It's complete report can be found here:
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=PG_2250_E&cw_topic=2250&cw_rel=AR_2991_E

There is a lot of info on the CIHI site that debunks the crap about Canada's health care system currently being peddled by U.S. conservatives.

See http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=home_e

As a Canadian, I'm pissed off that our current conservative government is doing nothing to defend our health care system against bullshit coming from the U.S. right wing.

- B

[BeyondGeography]

1. And I wonder how many would trade the existing system for the economic crapshoot we have here

[Bragi]

2. Pretty well no-one

In fact, no-one anywhere holds up the U.S system as a model to follow. There is always debate about the role of the private sector in Canada and elsewhere, but no-one I am aware of with any credibility whatsoever thinks your system is the way to go. And I mean no-one.

- B

[BeyondGeography]

3. Not just in Canada, either

It's a tribute to the provincialism of Americans that the argument that no one on earth would embrace our health-care model means nothing here.

[Doctor_J]

6. No, it's a tribute to Big Media and Hate Radio, which are run by the government

(i. e. the corporations). Americans are not provicial, they're ignorant.

[Doctor_J]

4. there have been at least 100 of these polls, all showing the same thing

the difference is that the US is the least democratic of the industrialized nations, so we don't get what we want, while people in other counties do.

[uponit7771]

5. 92%!!!!!!!

[Patiod]

7. But! But! We have the BEST care in the world! Right here!

(If you can afford it, of course) But still - it's the Best!!! Right here in Amurikuh!!!!! (Rich) People from all over the world come here for treatment! Which proves other countries suck! Because their (rich) people come HERE!!!!

[Bragi]

8. Quite true

Yes, I gather America is very egalitarian in that respect. In America, anyone with money, regardless of where they are from, can buy top-notch health care.

[AuntPatsy]

9. k & r I hope some take the time to read it all....

[Spazito]

10. Thanks for posting this! I don't always check the Globe and Mail...

site so I might well have missed this.

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