Waiting times and access to care for patients who make heavy use of the health care system is markedly poorer in Canada than in 4 other Western countries, a new survey indicates.
The survey, conducted by the Commonwealth Fund and Harvard University, found that 24% of Canadian patients reported it was very difficult to see a specialist, primarily because of long waiting times (86%). In Australia and Britain, 17% of patients reported similar difficulties; the US (15%) and New Zealand (12%) had the fewest complaints.
“This is clearly a problem in Canada,” Dr. Robert Blendon said of the survey results, published in the May/June issue of Health Affairs.
The survey of 3844 “sicker” adult patients in 5 countries, including 750 in Canada, also revealed high rates of medical error and barriers to accessing care.
These “sicker patients,” who routinely see 5 or more physicians, account for only 20% of patients but consume about 80% of all care.
Findings were common among all countries surveyed, said Blendon. “The issue of how well these people are managed is clearly a problem,” he said. “The systems are not integrated.” — Barbara Sibbald, CMAJ