while canadians are often proud of their health-care system, the poll found that americans — who pay for health care via a privatized system — actually have more access to their family doctors than their neighbours to the north.
of canadians who do have a family doctor, 41 per cent say it’s hard to get a quick appointment — something echoed by only 24 per cent of americans with a gp.
canadians are also more likely than americans to get virtual care: 92 per cent of americans who see a doctor do it in person, compared to 68 per cent of canadians, who are more likely to supplement in-person visits with phone or video conversations. most canadians — 65 per cent — say they’re ok with that arrangement.
but it’s notable that one of the major differences between the two countries is that americans are much more likely to simply not want a doctor at all: 13 per cent of americans who don’t have a doctor say they don’t want or need one, compared to only three per cent of canadians who say the same thing.
angus reid conducted two separate polls, both online: one among a representative, randomized sample of 2,279 canadians, and the other among a representative, randomized sample of 1,209 americans.
maija kappler is a reporter and editor at healthing. you can reach her at mkappler@postmedia.com
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half of canadians can't get a doctors' appointment