The Vent - Part 2

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Watch me get flamed for this comment, but...

If the U.S. would stop allowing our doctors to be stolen, there wouldn't be such a damn shortage in my area.

New doctors to the area only ever accept patients that don't currently have doctors, that's how bad it is. So, I get to bite my tongue and be happy I have a doctor to see (I guess) and wait until I have a ten minute waiting period to see a doc in the States but have to pay out the ####### for it.

/end steamblowing

I promise not to flame you but the big problem is that there aren't enough seats in Canuck Medical Schools and the opportunities for many foreign highly-trained doctors to get licensed in Canada are pretty slim. The US has a system in place for foreign-trained doctors to write examinations so that they may get into a residency. The Canadian system is a huge monopoly run buy the mob (CMA). They don't like furriners to get residency and licensed. Canadian doctors who are licensed in their respective provinces can go to most states and get a license without more training. My brother graduated from the U of ####### and did his residency in the US but many of his classmates have told him that it isn't worth it to practice in Canada for a variety of reasons including the lack of residency positions, the low income during residency (they have loans to pay and many have families) and the lack of Hospital privileging in many areas. My doctor and I had a discussion over some new OHIP plan to lure doctors from the US and his opinion was that it wouldn't happen since the benefits in the US outweigh any liabilities. During his residency he met a fellow Canuck from McGill, he spent time with a Gastroenterologist from McGill, another doctor from U of A, Ottawa, etc. I'd tell you how much my brother earns per year and how much his classmates earn, but you'd just get sick. Did I mention the weather? My ophthalmologist is close to 80, his son (also an ophthalmologist) left Toronto for good and he points out that if wasn't for his age, he'd have left long ago.

[Sam and Ben 2]

good luck getting that ten minute waiting period in the US! I generally have to wait a minimum of an hour - often more - to see my doctors - and it is almost impossible to get an appointment the same day - or even the next day. I need to make my annual physical 4 to 5 months in advance because that is the first available date. If I have a medical problem that needs a doctor's attention and it can't wait several days until an appointment is available, I get to go and sit in the waiting room for several hours along with all the others with no appointments on the off chance they can fit me in somewhere. I wait longer to see a doctor here than I ever did in Canada - and yes, I get to pay for the privilege. Don't believe the US propaganda that they have the best health care going - their system is seriously broken and most of them just seem to know it because they have nothing else to compare it to.

Sorry, should've explained better in my post... I do not at all believe the U.S. has a flawless health care system. In fact, (without having dealt with the U.S. system yet, based on observation alone) I much prefer ours here.

I was simply comparing apples to apples. My current GP to my fiance's - essentially, the one I'll be dealing with after I move. He seems to have a very efficient system in place, only a couple day wait and quick in-out service for appointments.

I've never expected same day service from my own doctor... I don't, however, think it's unreasonable to expect to see the doctor within the range of your appointment when it's an appointment only office. And yet, this is something that all of his patients (and patients of some other doctors in the area as well) have come to know and expect when booking an appointment.

[Danu 19]

Thats horrible! My doctor is fairly good at getting in quickly, even for a prescription refill thats not urgent I'm in within 2 weeks, for urgent stuff they purposely leave an hour each day unbooked for last minute issues, and then Wednesday nights they run a clinic. I never wait longer than maybe 20 min to get into my Dr. either when I goto the appointments. I would be super pissed if they made me wait 4 hours.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

good luck getting that ten minute waiting period in the US! I generally have to wait a minimum of an hour - often more - to see my doctors - and it is almost impossible to get an appointment the same day - or even the next day. I need to make my annual physical 4 to 5 months in advance because that is the first available date. If I have a medical problem that needs a doctor's attention and it can't wait several days until an appointment is available, I get to go and sit in the waiting room for several hours along with all the others with no appointments on the off chance they can fit me in somewhere. I wait longer to see a doctor here than I ever did in Canada - and yes, I get to pay for the privilege. Don't believe the US propaganda that they have the best health care going - their system is seriously broken and most of them just seem to know it because they have nothing else to compare it to.

Sorry, should've explained better in my post... I do not at all believe the U.S. has a flawless health care system. In fact, (without having dealt with the U.S. system yet, based on observation alone) I much prefer ours here.

I was simply comparing apples to apples. My current GP to my fiance's - essentially, the one I'll be dealing with after I move. He seems to have a very efficient system in place, only a couple day wait and quick in-out service for appointments.

I've never expected same day service from my own doctor... I don't, however, think it's unreasonable to expect to see the doctor within the range of your appointment when it's an appointment only office. And yet, this is something that all of his patients (and patients of some other doctors in the area as well) have come to know and expect when booking an appointment.

Why not???? Waiting for anything over 1 hour is unacceptable, especially when you have an appointment. For intake (getting you into the room, not necessarily seeing the doctor) that is. For a Family Medicine doctor, who's not on call, I'd venture to say 45 minutes at the outside. You should be in a room by then. I've seen specialists within 20 minutes and I've had to wait two hours but then again I live in Toronto. Where are you at? On second thought, if you're still angry, maybe it's best if I don't know. Getting a FP in the US is dicey, it really depends on where you, are but there is a HUGE shortage right now.

[The_Dude 1,142]

good luck getting that ten minute waiting period in the US! I generally have to wait a minimum of an hour - often more - to see my doctors - and it is almost impossible to get an appointment the same day - or even the next day. I need to make my annual physical 4 to 5 months in advance because that is the first available date. If I have a medical problem that needs a doctor's attention and it can't wait several days until an appointment is available, I get to go and sit in the waiting room for several hours along with all the others with no appointments on the off chance they can fit me in somewhere. I wait longer to see a doctor here than I ever did in Canada - and yes, I get to pay for the privilege. Don't believe the US propaganda that they have the best health care going - their system is seriously broken and most of them just seem to know it because they have nothing else to compare it to.

That is purely opinion. I can't say that my experience is typical, I have no idea, but it is my experience. I have never had to wait more than 10 minute for a doctor. Except for a 10 month period where I had no insurance. If you have good health insurance in the U.S., your health coverage is second to none. As it is now, I have access to a vast amount of services, products and treatments that most don't. I am very fortunate. When I had no insurance and had to go to the hospital, I ended up paying through the nose for basic treatment that really could have been done by some random person on the street. The U.S. healthcare, much like it's economy is a contrast. I've never had middle of the road or poor care though, only superb and zero health insurance.

[trailmix 77]

This is a great example of the contrast. Americans (some, not all) say something like - if you have great insurance you have exceptional care, if you have bad insurance or none, then the care is not good.

Canadians (most, not all) say, if everyone isn't getting great treatment - then the care is not good.

That's the difference.

Imagine never having your job tied to your Health insurance, imagine never having to worry about health insurance at all. If you need to see a Dr. you do, if you need your leg set, they set it, no questions asked, no payment required.

Imagine never getting a letter from a health insurance company asking for a co-pay or just sending you a statement every single time you see a Dr. - to tell you that you aren't covered as you have not met your deductable for the year.

Imagine never having to fill out a form or prove to anyone you are worthy of paying for their coverage.

Edited October 16, 2009 by trailmix

[thetreble 19]

If you have good health insurance in the U.S., your health coverage is second to none.

I have GREAT coverage due to State Health Benefits. But let me tell you, my husband has something very wrong with his hand, and he works in the restaurant business so you can imagine how painful it is for him every day.

I had to call 6 doctor's offices to see if I could set up an appointment. Four of those offices didn't even bother picking up the phone, or calling me back after I left a message. The other two couldn't give me an appointment for almost a month. I wouldn't call that great service.

[Varba 0]

My vent today:

Why'd it have to snow on the day I'm driving up to see Peachey?

[Sam and Ben 2]

good luck getting that ten minute waiting period in the US! I generally have to wait a minimum of an hour - often more - to see my doctors - and it is almost impossible to get an appointment the same day - or even the next day. I need to make my annual physical 4 to 5 months in advance because that is the first available date. If I have a medical problem that needs a doctor's attention and it can't wait several days until an appointment is available, I get to go and sit in the waiting room for several hours along with all the others with no appointments on the off chance they can fit me in somewhere. I wait longer to see a doctor here than I ever did in Canada - and yes, I get to pay for the privilege. Don't believe the US propaganda that they have the best health care going - their system is seriously broken and most of them just seem to know it because they have nothing else to compare it to.

Sorry, should've explained better in my post... I do not at all believe the U.S. has a flawless health care system. In fact, (without having dealt with the U.S. system yet, based on observation alone) I much prefer ours here.

I was simply comparing apples to apples. My current GP to my fiance's - essentially, the one I'll be dealing with after I move. He seems to have a very efficient system in place, only a couple day wait and quick in-out service for appointments.

I've never expected same day service from my own doctor... I don't, however, think it's unreasonable to expect to see the doctor within the range of your appointment when it's an appointment only office. And yet, this is something that all of his patients (and patients of some other doctors in the area as well) have come to know and expect when booking an appointment.

Why not???? Waiting for anything over 1 hour is unacceptable, especially when you have an appointment. For intake (getting you into the room, not necessarily seeing the doctor) that is. For a Family Medicine doctor, who's not on call, I'd venture to say 45 minutes at the outside. You should be in a room by then. I've seen specialists within 20 minutes and I've had to wait two hours but then again I live in Toronto. Where are you at? On second thought, if you're still angry, maybe it's best if I don't know. Getting a FP in the US is dicey, it really depends on where you, are but there is a HUGE shortage right now.

Same-day, as in, I don't expect to always be blessed with an appointment the exact same day I call up for one. Doc to patient ratio somewhat dictates my opinions on that around here. I live outside of Windsor. We have huge shortages on doctors of all kinds.

I do agree that the waiting period with an appointment is ridiculous. And again, this is typical to my doctor and my area, not coverage all over Canada.

[The_Dude 1,142]

This is a great example of the contrast. Americans (some, not all) say something like - if you have great insurance you have exceptional care, if you have bad insurance or none, then the care is not good.

Canadians (most, not all) say, if everyone isn't getting great treatment - then the care is not good.

That's the difference.

Imagine never having your job tied to your Health insurance, imagine never having to worry about health insurance at all. If you need to see a Dr. you do, if you need your leg set, they set it, no questions asked, no payment required.

Imagine never getting a letter from a health insurance company asking for a co-pay or just sending you a statement every single time you see a Dr. - to tell you that you aren't covered as you have not met your deductable for the year.

Imagine never having to fill out a form or prove to anyone you are worthy of paying for their coverage.

I highly doubt that a plurality of Canadians judge the quality of their care on what citizens as a whole have. I've read a myriad of reviews just about the differences in quality of care from province to province. The range of care at the top end is second to none on the planet, period, conversely, so is the quality of care for those who don't have insurance. I take umbrage at the generalization that American Healthcare is putrid and the be all end all sin of the world. It is in fact the insurance companies that are the problem. The problem is not the doctors or the level of care, it's the availability and massive greed from the insurance companies.

I was hoping that with the new President, someone would have the balls to institute a NHS, but seeing how things are going, I'll take any improvement. The sad part is that if there is a public option introduced, my quality of care will diminish. I will no longer be in a network where I have access to any treatment, medication or procedure that will help me regardless of fees. My employer would dump this package and send us all to the public healthcare system which especially where I live would be overburdened. But, it's the right thing to do, as a citizen I wholeheartedly support it.

[lgg 2]

One day?

Really? One day?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry3408027

This is the vent thread, after all.....

[The_Dude 1,142]

Wow, that is fast. Maybe because it was the California office?

[lgg 2]

No idea. But they had an inverview scheduled in ONE Day? It just burns my toast that some consulates work THAT fast and yet we're ALL stuck here in limbo waiting for MONTHS.

Sorry to sound like a big baby. But geez. Oh, I hadn't meant to read that, it was an accidental reading.

Wow, that is fast. Maybe because it was the California office?

[Malrothien 6]

You might be having a stroke if you're smelling burnt toast, Lgg.

[Varba 0]

No idea. But they had an inverview scheduled in ONE Day? It just burns my toast that some consulates work THAT fast and yet we're ALL stuck here in limbo waiting for MONTHS.

Sorry to sound like a big baby. But geez. Oh, I hadn't meant to read that, it was an accidental reading.

Wow, that is fast. Maybe because it was the California office?

Do NOT look for similar cases to your own on VJ forums.

You WILL find Canadian cases with couples out west, and be sad.

Yesterday it took me all of 5 minutes to find 4 people with a K-1 that started with their I-129F around the time we sent our packet 3 in. They have their visa, we have nothing.