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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maxime on June 5, 2003, at 11:36:35
I'm very frustrated. I know that people outside Canada look at our health system and think "wow - you are so lucky". And we are lucky for the most part.
But trying to get in to see a specialist is awful. I live in Montreal Quebec. I really need a PDOC. I was recently living in the U.S and had no problems finding PDOCS and getting an appointment within a reasonable time frame.
But here? The wait could be up to a year. I don't know what to do other than wait. It wouldn't be so bad if I were stable on my meds etc. but I am not.
Do any fellow Canadians have any suggestions on how I might get in to see a pdoc sooner?
Thanks,
Max
Posted by cybercafe on June 5, 2003, at 11:56:17
In reply to Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by maxime on June 5, 2003, at 11:36:35
> I'm very frustrated. I know that people outside Canada look at our health system and think "wow - you are so lucky". And we are lucky for the most part.
>
> But trying to get in to see a specialist is awful. I live in Montreal Quebec. I really need a PDOC. I was recently living in the U.S and had no problems finding PDOCS and getting an appointment within a reasonable time frame.
>
> But here? The wait could be up to a year. I don't know what to do other than wait. It wouldn't be so bad if I were stable on my meds etc. but I am not.
>
> Do any fellow Canadians have any suggestions on how I might get in to see a pdoc sooner?
>
> Thanks,
> Maxcall your local mood disorder group or health authority and they should have some "find a doctor" numbers/strategies
Posted by Bill L on June 6, 2003, at 8:21:36
In reply to Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by maxime on June 5, 2003, at 11:36:35
I personally would rather see a general doctor rather than a pdoc. But that's just me. About 70% of antidepressents are prescribed by general doctors such as pediatricians, internists, general practitioners, and OB/GYN's. The other 30% by pdocs.
On the average, pdocs are probably more knowledgable about these types of drugs, but for some strange reason I don't feel as comfortable around them.
Posted by NorthEven on June 6, 2003, at 9:58:45
In reply to Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by maxime on June 5, 2003, at 11:36:35
Hi,
I'm from Montreal, and the only fast way to see a doc is to go sit at your local medical clinic! Go at around 0800am, you should see a doctor in a couples of hours!Worked for me.
Posted by jay on June 6, 2003, at 12:43:53
In reply to Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by maxime on June 5, 2003, at 11:36:35
But I live in Ontario..so I dunno. Sometimes there is a wait if you want to see a particular person, but you get to pick from the 100's of pdocs depending on your area. My last one saw me the same day I was referred. The level of care here is just as good as any in the world, and yes you do get your bad experiences too, like anywhere. But some of the top research also comes from Canada. I am just happy I don't have to worry about getting a 10,000 dollar bill for a month, or a hospital stay, or whatever, of 'services'. I've been around the world, and have not found a better health care system period.
I just give 'em my health card, and bingo, presto, I get excellent service.Jay
Posted by maxime on June 6, 2003, at 12:46:48
In reply to Re: Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by NorthEven on June 6, 2003, at 9:58:45
Thank you! Do you mean go to a CLSC? What I HATE about the system in Quebec is that you have to see a PDOC who is in your region. ARGH! So frustrating!!! I mean, people with heart problems can see whichever cardiologist they want. Why are people with mental health problems second rate citizens?
Max
> Hi,
> I'm from Montreal, and the only fast way to see a doc is to go sit at your local medical clinic! Go at around 0800am, you should see a doctor in a couples of hours!
>
> Worked for me.
Posted by maxime on June 6, 2003, at 12:51:57
In reply to Never, ever had a problem,... » maxime, posted by jay on June 6, 2003, at 12:43:53
When I lived in Alberta it wasn't a problem. But when Quebec made it a rule that you have to see someone in your municipality, it becomes ridiculous.
About a year ago I waited a year to see a doc in Montreal. I ended seeing one who could hardly speak English and who told me that my problems were caused because I didn't have a boyfriend and was not getting any sex - I am not joking! I never went to see him again and then I moved to the U.S. for several months for work.
BTW, I still have bills from the U.S. that I have to pay and I had insurance through my job. It was awful. A trip the the ER for meningitis cost me $5000!
Max
> But I live in Ontario..so I dunno. Sometimes there is a wait if you want to see a particular person, but you get to pick from the 100's of pdocs depending on your area. My last one saw me the same day I was referred. The level of care here is just as good as any in the world, and yes you do get your bad experiences too, like anywhere. But some of the top research also comes from Canada. I am just happy I don't have to worry about getting a 10,000 dollar bill for a month, or a hospital stay, or whatever, of 'services'. I've been around the world, and have not found a better health care system period.
> I just give 'em my health card, and bingo, presto, I get excellent service.
>
> Jay
Posted by NorthEven on June 6, 2003, at 17:06:29
In reply to Re: Proud to be Canadian EXCEPT, posted by maxime on June 6, 2003, at 12:46:48
Just look in your phonebook, search for "medical clinic", and find one near your home, i'm not 100% positive that a CLSC is the same?
Medical clinics are usualy a group of doctors renting office space, could be a GP, plus a dentist, optometrist ect...
But the trick is going at 08h00, even sick people are lazy in the morning;)
Have a good day!
Posted by Snoozy on June 6, 2003, at 23:33:43
In reply to Re: Never, ever had a problem,... Jay, posted by maxime on June 6, 2003, at 12:51:57
Hi -
I was reading these posts, interested to hear what Canadians had to say about their health care system.
>
> BTW, I still have bills from the U.S. that I have to pay and I had insurance through my job. It was awful. A trip the the ER for meningitis cost me $5000!
>
> MaxMaybe this wouldn't apply to you, and I don't know how familiar you are with our "system" in the US. But that being said.... You say you had health insurance through your job when you went to the ER? In my policy, and a lot of others, the situation might be like this: I have an emergency, I go to the ER like my primary care doctor probably would have told me to do. And I have my insurance and they get all of that information at the hospital. Months later, when paperwork has gone through its channels, I might get a statement from my health insurer and a bill from the hospital. Let's say the whole thing is $15,000. My health insurance would probably tell the hospital, we only pay $8,000 for this procedure, and that's what they would pay the hospital. Sometimes the hospital will go to you for the remaining $7,000 of their original charge. I think a lot of policies have a provision that says providers can't balance bill you, that they have to take what the insurance company pays as full payment (minus any deductibles or co-insurance).
Of course, then there are the different permutations of HMOs and PPOs, etc. (I'm going to go grab something for this headache I've developed :)
I don't know if what I'm saying makes any sense or applies to your case. But I know that it can be confusing, frustrating and annoying to deal with this stuff. Which is what some providers rely upon, that you won't put up a fuss and you'll pay what your policy doesn't require you to pay. Cynical? A tad. Experienced, yup.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 7, 2003, at 17:07:39
In reply to Never, ever had a problem,... » maxime, posted by jay on June 6, 2003, at 12:43:53
> But I live in Ontario..so I dunno. Sometimes there is a wait if you want to see a particular person, but you get to pick from the 100's of pdocs depending on your area. My last one saw me the same day I was referred.
I'm glad you made that distinction, about needing a referral. Just getting one can be a lengthy exercise. After my own referral, I was told that my critical need would bump me up the list, but I still had to wait six weeks (I'm in Ontario). I was told the general waiting list was close to a year, so six weeks didn't seem too bad.
>The level of care here is just as good as any in the world, and yes you do get your bad experiences too, like anywhere.
I absolutely agree with you there. The U.S. is a little bit more technically oriented, but we're still about the best in the world, IMHO.
>But some of the top research also comes from Canada. I am just happy I don't have to worry about getting a 10,000 dollar bill for a month, or a hospital stay, or whatever, of 'services'. I've been around the world, and have not found a better health care system period.
> I just give 'em my health card, and bingo, presto, I get excellent service.
>
> JayJust slapping down the old health card is so cool. You need care, you get it. No questions asked. And, being on disability, I only pay $2 per prescription.
It's not a perfect system, by any means. But I like it.
Lar
Posted by jemma on June 8, 2003, at 13:39:44
In reply to Re: Never, ever had a problem,... Jay, posted by maxime on June 6, 2003, at 12:51:57
You could try calling the psychiatry department of your local hospital and find out when the clinics are held. It means taking your chance that you find someone good, but at least you do find someone.
My nephew is in Montreal and I've recently tried to get him some badly needed help. I've learned that in Montreal there is a lack of psychiatrists so severe it almost amounts to a crisis.
Good luck -
Jemma
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