A new poll says long wait times lead half of Canadians to avoid seeing a doctor or going to the hospital.
The poll was conducted by Léger and commissioned by right-leaning think-tanks the Montreal Economic Institute, SecondStreet.org, and the Canadian Constitution Foundation.
The percentage of respondents who say they avoid consulting doctors because of wait times is highest among women, people over 55 and Quebecers.
I know there are going to be wait times, but whenever I’ve had a serious issue the though “I might have to wait” was not enough to make me not go.
The real issue is we have a lot of people got to the hospital for things their family doctor should be able to do, but we’re understaffed and they can’t book in time.
And wait times are not as bad as they were during covid. If they are a problem, hiring more auxiliary staff like nurses to streamline doctors time is a good investment.
I won’t go to a hospital unless I’m literally dying. Because unless you’re literally dying, every hospital I’ve been to as a patient makes you wait at least 6 hours. Fortunately I was personally very rarely a patient there, but being there for 6 hours while the person you’re with is trying to keep themselves upright isn’t fun either.
Well, kinda good? You shouldn’t be going to a hospital for much less than that. That’s what family doctors are for.
And if I had one, I’d agree. I have a walk-in clinic instead. And if I develop a problem after about noon, that’s me fucked until tomorrow and hopefully it doesn’t get worse between now and then.