Canadian Healthcare Quiz

Check your answers below.

1. Easy Question:

Canadian healthcare system is the best in the world.

a) True      b) False

2. Easy Question:

Dentist services and essential medications are free in Canada.

a) True     b) False

3. More Difficult:

The main problem with Canadian healthcare system is…

a) long wait times     b) not enough doctors

4. More Difficult:

If you are not immediately dying, you could end up waiting in a hospital emergency room for

a) 1-2 hours      b) 3-4 hours      c) 4-8 hours

5. Difficult:

Doctors in Canada

a) prescribe medication and surgery     b) recommend all possible alternative treatments

6. Difficult:

How long does the Healthy Immigrant Effect usually last?

a) 1 year      b) 5 years        c) 10 years

Check your answers below.

Canadian Healthcare System: what to expect and how to use

Canadian healthcare system is not the best in the world! It is ranked #10 on the list of eleven developed countries. Number 11 (the worst) is the United States. There are two main problems with Canadian system: long wait times and the fact that essential medication and some services like dentist are not free. Below is the list of problems you will face as a user of the system and what you can do to make the best of it.

1.

Problem:

Long wait times in hospital Emergency Rooms – if you are not immediately dying, you could expect to wait for 4-8 hours

What to do:

• check the wait times by calling 2 – 3 hospitals closest to you to choose the best option
• or check the special websites that tell you the actual waiting time in real time
• know the least busy times in the hospitals (e.g. between 3am and 9am)
• know the least busy days (e.g. mid-week)
• know what represents a real emergency (heart attack, stroke) and a minor emergency

2.

Problem:

Long wait times to see your family doctor  – you can expect to wait for 2-4 days for your appointment

What to do: 

• know the nearest walk-in clinic or community clinic
• know the clinic’s hours

3.

Problem: Long wait times to have a surgery – you can expect 2 – 5 months for a knee, hip replacement surgery, cataract surgery, ankle or shoulder surgery, etc.

What to do: 

• get a second opinion to find out if a surgery is actually necessary
• if the situation is urgent, travel to US and pay to get it done

4.

Problem: Dentist, prescription medication, vision care, physiotherapy, ambulance services, home care, psychologist services are not free

What to do:

• get a private health insurance (65% of Canadians have some form of private health insurance most often provided through their employers. Insurance plans vary in quality and price just like any product in a free market.)
• learn about the side effects of medication you’ve been prescribed before buying it

5.

Problem: Doctors only prescribe medications and give no other advice; doctors prescribe unnecessary surgery

What to do: 

• ask your doctor for options besides taking medication
• ask your doctor for options besides surgery
• get a second opinion if you actually need a surgery or not
• learn about alternative treatments available

6.

Problem: Hospital beds are not available – you can expect to spend days on a gurney in a hospital hallway

What to do: 

• learn about the risks of staying at a hospital vs staying at home – hospitals are the breeding ground for bacterial infections
• learn about alternative treatments available

What you need to know as an immigrant to Canada

The Healthy Immigrant Effect: 

Most immigrants come to Canada relatively healthy. It takes them on average 10 years to develop health issues and become as sick as an average Canadian.

The Culture Shock Confusion:

Some doctors will misdiagnose your culture shock symptoms as depression. The symptoms of the second stage of culture shock resemble that of depression. Know the difference and do not accept antidepressants – they won’t help.

Well-educated and wealthy Canadians:

Many wealthier and more educated Canadian families take care of their health by eating good quality, i.e. organic, food and using alternative medicine to treat their health problems. They shop at health food stores and educate themselves on dealing with health issues by accessing advice online. They feel confident to disagree with their doctors, seek second opinion, do their own research on the internet, and ask for options when it comes to treatment.

Time per Patient

The more patients a doctor sees, the more money they earn. You might feel rushed while in the office. It is smart to come prepared and know how to give your doctor the correct information and ask the right questions.

Click to Learn more:

Talking to your Doctor – How to Prepare for Doctor’s Visit

5 Stages of Culture Shock

Cold and Flu Season in Canada

Cancer in Canada

Immigrants and Depression

Diabetes in Canada