Hello, Canadians of Lemmy! Down in the USA there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the efficacy of y’alls healthcare systems. Without revealing my personal bias, I was hoping for some anecdotes or summaries from those whom actually live there.
I had some abdominal issues that caused me to be buckled over in severe pain most of the day. I was unable to eat anything for days at a time. I was constantly feeling faint and nauseous and vomiting frequently. I did a video appointment with my doctor and he referred me to get an abdominal ultrasound.
It took about a week for the office to call me to schedule the tests. They told me the next available appointment they had was 8 months out.
I wound up getting better on my own after about 6 weeks of hell. I never did find out what was wrong.
BTW I’m not in Canada I’m in the good old US of A where we “Don’t experience delays” and have “Top-Notch Healthcare” thanks to out non socialized systems. I even had good insurance.
The healthcare system in the US is in shambles. It is extremely inefficient and absolutely resistant to any kind of change, because as bad as things are right now, change introduces risk that might make it worse. No matter how slim the chance or how much the benefits outweigh the risks, nobody wants to accept meaningful changes.
I live in Canada. I can’t even fathom 8 months for an abdominal ultrasound! Especially with your symptoms at the time!! Glad you got better, that must have been scary for a time…
If you come to a Canadian ER or urgent care you will have your ultrasound that day or the next day if you don’t seem to bad. No bill for patients. No prior authorization from doctors. No metrics for nurses and staff. Just plain health focus approach.
This is my problems when people bring up wait times… like, have you not encountered those in the USA? Because everyone else has.