Since 1988, the Commonwealth Fund and the Harvard School of Public Health have conducted periodic, multi-country studies of citizens' perceptions of their health care systems. In 1988, more than half (56%) of Canadian respondents felt their country's health care system required only minor tinkering; only 34% of Australians, 27% of Britons and 10% of Americans felt the same way about their systems. Americans were the most likely (29%) and Canadians the least likely (5%) to feel that a complete rebuilding of their systems was required.
By 2001, Canadians' attitudes had shifted to such a degree that the proportion of respondents calling for a complete overhaul (18%) was very similar to that in Australia (19%), New Zealand (20%) and the UK (18%); Americans were somewhat more likely (28%) to think their health care system needed to be completely rebuilt. Overall, Canadians and Britons were least likely (54% and 53%, respectively) to rate their medical care as very good to excellent; at 67%, New Zealanders were most likely to think that overall medical care in their country was very good to excellent.
In 2001, Canadians were most likely (26%) to report that access to care was worse than it was 2 years ago; proportions in the other countries ranged from 15% (New Zealand) to 20% (US). Canadians were more likely (16%) than Australians (12%), New Zealanders (11%) and Britons (13%) to feel that it is very or extremely difficult to see a specialist. At 41%, Canadians and Americans were most likely to say it is somewhat or very difficult to get care on nights or weekends; only 23% of New Zealanders shared that view. Canadians were much less likely than Americans to say they did not get medical care due to the cost (5% versus 24%), and were also less likely than Americans to say they had difficulty paying medical bills (7% versus 21%). — Shelley Martin, Senior Analyst, Research, Policy and Planning Directorate, CMA
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