So, during the pandemic my family doctor, who is American, went back to her country, leaving me without a medical professional.
When the pandemic ended, I went in search of a new family doctor in my city in British Columbia. However I couldn’t find one. I did find a nurse practitioner who can do most of what a doctor can do, including prescriptions.
In October, 2022, she asked me to do a standard physical at Life Labs so I did. She called me on the phone later to say everything was fine.
However, 8 months later, in June, I was called by an outpatient medical clinic asking me to come in for an EKG. Confused, I asked why. And they said it was triggered by my visit to LifeLabs and requested by my primary care provider.
I went for the EKG, which ended up being an ultrasound. That was June 27.
Then I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing.
I finally called my NP and asked why I haven’t heard back on what the results were and the receptionist said it’s standard practice to only contact patients if follow-up is necessary. But I felt like something must have triggered the follow-up EKG/ultrasound so I wish I’d been told what that was and why I visited the hospital for it.
However, the tone of the receptionist made me think it’s the normal way and I’m just being entitled.
Yup, Canadian healthcare is a disaster, only second to the US system.
Facts put Canada as 5th best in the world, behind Sweden, Denmark and some of those neighbors.
5th. I know! Bizarre! I had occasion to look it up when my swedish friends were complaining about their healthcare (3rd best globally).
We’re not second only to America, but there’s a massive difference. We’re not awesome and we need to get better, but our system could be so, so much worse. We lost a lot of doctors during COVID, and I don’t blame them because we couldn’t do the bare minimum as a society, but it’s going to be a long while before staffing levels are back up.
