Health Care Brief: Canadians not receiving adequate health care

Health Care Brief: Canadians not receiving adequate health care: "Health Care Brief: Canadians not receiving adequate health care


Article By: Athena McKenzie

More accessible, comprehensive and coordinated care is required, says agency report.
Are Canadians receiving adequate health care? According to the Health Council of Canada, the answer is no.
The intergovernmental agency prepared Fixing the Foundation: An Update on Primary Health Care and Home Care Renewal in Canada. It says the current health-care system is not well-coordinated, comprehensive or always available when needed. The report is based on the Canadian Survey of Experiences with Primary Health Care.
“Canadians continue to tell us reform is needed,” Dr. Jeanne Besner says. Besner is the chair of the Health Council of Canada.
The report highlights that more then 30 per cent of people who visited an emergency room believe they could have been treated by their family doctor if one was available. In addition, family doctors rarely learn if a patient is seen in an after-hours clinic.
Participants said that some doctors do not explain test results, nor do they warn of the possible side effects of medication. Other complaints included a lack of information from their physicians on adopting healthier lifestyles.
To address the issues within the system, the council is recommending several courses of action. These include electronic patient records, inter-professional care teams, and better communications between family doctors and after-hour clinics. The report also stresses the need for better coverage of home care strategies.
Read the council's report, Fix the Foundation."

excellent review