1. How does your system work? Anything special about getting seen in a clinic, or do you just make an appointment, show up and that's it free service?
I'm Canadian and it's been covered.
2. Are wait times for doctors visits short or too long?
Depends on where you go. Some places are better than others. I have lived in Manitoba but I now live in Quebec and it's much worse here in comparison.
3. Are diagnostic test readily available or do they take many months of waiting list? Is access to routine care and clinics as easy as life threatening and care for significantly morbid conditions (liver failure, heart failure)?
Again, it depends on where you live. Although private diagnostics are becoming more available.
4. Do you thrust your doctors?
For surgical procedures, absolutly. For the diagnosis if illnesses and the prescription of medications, not even a little. Same problem as American doctors: too much influance from pharmaceutical industries.
5. Are they all equal in your eyes are or some doctors/hospitals better than others? If so, do you get to choose the doctor/clinic/hospital that you wish to go to, or are you forced to see a certain doctor/etc by the program?
You can choose where to go and some places are better than others. For example, if you ever find yourself in Winnipeg and in need of medical care, seek out the Hospital St. Boniface. If you are in Montreal, avoid the Royal Victoria Hospital at all costs.
Personally, I am all for two tier health care. I would rather have a private system here in Canada tempting OUR doctors away from the public system than having them leave the country with thier expertise and tax dollars.
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