Canadian Federal Election - Page 50

whatnext · #**981** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 8:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theman23

Reading is important. I said the average person in Canada without a family doctor can't afford to go the USA, not that the average person in Canada does not have a family doctor.

My anecdote of waiting for 6 years for a GP cancels out yours. However, the evidence is on my side - we have the worst access to primary care amongst our peers (and hence medical care, since primary care is the gateway).

Maybe Warren can DM you the names of those doctors he got!

theman23 · #**982** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 8:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWetal

A family doctor isn't necessary for access in Canada. You can go to the ER for anything urgent or even not urgent though you will wait. If you have a heart palpitation or a rash you can get referred to a Cardiologist or a dermatologist at a walk in clinic. You can also get a prescription for a bunch of common minor ailments like urinary tract infections at a pharmacist.

Going to the ER for anything non emergent is not a serious suggestion and is a sign of a broken system. Most people don't have the time to work a job, take care of their family, and also wait 12+ hours to be seen for a nagging but non urgent issue that's been bothering them. There aren't enough hours in the day and that isn't access.

I've already addressed the walk in clinic issue - most walk in doctors do not get invested in a patient's care, and are only there for the churn. The work they do is the bare minimum and it barely qualifies as medicine. Yet this is really the only option for most people without a family doctor. But going to a walk in clinic or getting a prescription from a pharmacists counts as "primary care" - the study made no mention of family doctors. And yet even still Canada does worse than the USA.

Quote:

It's not perfect but the idea young people have better access to healthcare in the US is laughable.

You laugh, but how do you square that with numbers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

It doesn’t help when supposedly walk-in clinics also require booking appointments (which defeats the whole purpose of walk-in).

Right, or they expect you to show up and line outside before opening because otherwise you end up waiting 2-3 hours and risk not getting seen if they hit their cap. And if you get seen, you'll likely leave unsatisfied (has anyone ever had a walk-in encounter where they felt their concern was taken seriously?). Yes, technically you can get seen but the system makes it as hard as possible. Which is why access is so bad.

ToxiK · #**983** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wigs

Trump has an endless stream of verbal diarrhea and Canadian leaders are saying "fat chance of a Canadian takeover by America"

There's nothing suppressing about a preposterous MAGA fever dream idea.

Like this nonsense from a member of Congress from Georgia

Trump's Presidency is a firehose of toxic bluster and ego to overwhelm the press/media, while some really awful stuff is happening to the USA and its institutions under the guise of cutting government waste.

We, Canadians should be worried about tariffs and a trade war, not a complete takeover by USA.

If they wanted to rename Greenland to honour Trump, they should rename it Orangeland...

ToxiK · #**984** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I know some people who really do love Trump and want to move to the US (specifically Texas) and...uh...let's just say that they don't have the kinds of skills and experience that any other country that wants to run a modern economy really needs.

But even if we were annexed by the U.S., the only job requiring no experience or skill to run a modern economy at all is already occupied by Trump...

Acajack · #**985** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToxiK

If they wanted to rename Greenland to honour Trump, they should rename it Orangeland...

BTW I noticed that my Google Maps now says "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)".

I can think of some Jimmy Buffett and Johnny Horton songs that might need to have their lyrics changed.

WarrenC12 · #**986** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWetal

A family doctor isn't necessary for access in Canada. You can go to the ER for anything urgent or even not urgent though you will wait. If you have a heart palpitation or a rash you can get referred to a Cardiologist or a dermatologist at a walk in clinic. You can also get a prescription for a bunch of common minor ailments like urinary tract infections at a pharmacist.

It's not perfect but the idea young people have better access to healthcare in the US is laughable.

We have walk-in clinics and telehealth as well. I used them for years without a GP. In BC we also have "Urgent Care Centres" which are supposed to be a step between a GP and an ER. I think the idea is sound, execution is mixed.

WarrenC12 · #**987** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Maybe Warren can DM you the names of those doctors he got!

Already did. Among others I sent him Cambie Village. Accepting new patients right on the front page:

https://cambiepractice.com/

theman23 · #**988** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Already did. Among others I sent him Cambie Village. Accepting new patients right on the front page:

https://cambiepractice.com/

Only accepting dermatology referrals if you read the whole thing. I called and they confirmed that they aren't taking any.

I suspect something like that is true in the Winnipeg example - often times clinics will say they're accepting patients, but what they mean is they'll take a few walk ins if the doctor is having a slow day and want to fill in their gaps. Or in some clinics I've even been to they had the sign up but had no doctor rostering patients, but if you signed up they would call you when they found one.

drew · #**989** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theman23

Only accepting dermatology referrals if you read the whole thing. I called and they confirmed that they aren't taking any.

I suspect something like that is true in the Winnipeg example - often times clinics will say they're accepting patients, but what they mean is they'll take a few walk ins if the doctor is having a slow day and want to fill in their gaps. Or in some clinics I've even been to they had the sign up but had no doctor rostering patients, but if you signed up they would call you when they found one.

https://mysherbrook.com/classes

Give them a call. We go there for the walk-in, but they are not our Family doctors.

I stand by my assertion that if you moved to Winnipeg, you would have a family doctor as soon as you wanted one.

jonny24 · #**990** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

We have walk-in clinics and telehealth as well. I used them for years without a GP. In BC we also have "Urgent Care Centres" which are supposed to be a step between a GP and an ER. I think the idea is sound, execution is mixed.

Your attitude is how things like the last US election happen.

When people tell you something is an issue, explaining to them that no, it's not actually an issue, will not work. Whether it's an actual issue or not.

theman23 · #**991** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:19 PM**

Moving to Winnipeg to get a family doctor is not in the cards.

Reminds of me when I wanted to renew my passport and the Service Canada website suggested I book my appointment in Edmonton or Thunder Bay.

WarrenC12 · #**992** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny24

Your attitude is how things like the last US election happen.

When people tell you something is an issue, explaining to them that no, it's not actually an issue, will not work. Whether it's an actual issue or not.

I'm trying to help, while explaining my situation.

Nobody is saying there isn't a problem.

WarrenC12 · #**993** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theman23

Only accepting dermatology referrals if you read the whole thing. I called and they confirmed that they aren't taking any.

It lists those doctors only accepting dermatology but there are more GPs that practice at that clinic.

Are you signed up on the provincial registry? I've heard multiple people have gotten family doctors that way.

theman23 · #**994** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

It lists those doctors only accepting dermatology but there are more GPs that practice at that clinic.

Are you signed up on the provincial registry? I've heard multiple people have gotten family doctors that way.

I called and they told me that no one is accepting any family practice patients right now.

Yes, signed up on the registry when it first started. As I said, I almost got off it a year ago but the NP I was assigned to quit before my first appointment. I suspect I'm at the bottom of the priority list because of my age. Which is the point I've been making...a universal health care system isn't of much use to someone who is having major challenges accessing it.

drew · #**995** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by theman23

Moving to Winnipeg to get a family doctor is not in the cards.

Reminds of me when I wanted to renew my passport and the Service Canada website suggested I book my appointment in Edmonton or Thunder Bay.

Well obviously. But to me, it makes your point about the lack of a family doctor ring a bit hollow.

You want to have a family doctor - but because of where you live, that's apparently a problem. We have pointed out that several other larger cities in Canada have plenty of family doctors available - which means you probably could have a family doctor - but you are choosing not to. That's not a slight against you, obviously picking up and moving is a big life choice. But so is choosing to live somewhere that you apparently don't have access to basic medical services.

Bcasey25raptor · #**996** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Who doesn't have a family doctor in Canada?

I don't know anyone currently living under that scenario.

1 in 5 don't but everyone I know has one so

whatnext · #**997** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Well obviously. But to me, it makes your point about the lack of a family doctor ring a bit hollow.

You want to have a family doctor - but because of where you live, that's apparently a problem. We have pointed out that several other larger cities in Canada have plenty of family doctors available - which means you probably could have a family doctor - but you are choosing not to. That's not a slight against you, obviously picking up and moving is a big life choice. But so is choosing to live somewhere that you apparently don't have access to basic medical services.

Telling someone to uproot their career or family to get a family doctor is a bit ridiculous.

someone123 · #**998** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:57 PM**

Such a depressing conversation.

This shortage in BC is a well-known phenomenon the province apparently accepts as existing: https://globalnews.ca/news/10816474/bc-family-doctors-election/

Over 10% of all Canadians live here in BC and people don't all choose to move here knowing the doctor situation. Saying that they don't have a valid beef because some other provinces don't have that issue is ridiculous.

Generally speaking people I know here don't have a GP and they all have horror stories about clinics. Most moved to Vancouver in the last decade or so. I assume older people generally are more likely to have a GP.

Marty_Mcfly · #**999** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 10:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Who doesn't have a family doctor in Canada?

I don't know anyone currently living under that scenario.

Anywhere between 22 and 30% of Newfoundlanders do not have a family doctor, and I am one of those people. Whenever a new clinic opens you probably have about a 30 minute window to try and sneak a phone call in before they stop accepting new patients.

WarrenC12 · #**1000** Posted **Feb 11, 2025, 11:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

Such a depressing conversation.

This shortage in BC is a well-known phenomenon the province apparently accepts as existing: https://globalnews.ca/news/10816474/bc-family-doctors-election/

Over 10% of all Canadians live here in BC and people don't all choose to move here knowing the doctor situation. Saying that they don't have a valid beef because some other provinces don't have that issue is ridiculous.

Generally speaking people I know here don't have a GP and they all have horror stories about clinics. Most moved to Vancouver in the last decade or so. I assume older people generally are more likely to have a GP.

Weird take when you quote an article that shows how the Province is addressing the issue and that it's working.

I think the more important metric is how many people are looking and can't find a GP. If you asked me for most of my life if I had one, I'd say No, and be added to that statistic, but the reality was I wasn't looking for one and didn't care.

Seems like there is some real variation in here between people having one and not, and either nobody they know has one, or everybody does.