A recent survey shows Canadians experience some of the longest wait times to see a doctor when compared to other countries.
Canada is performing below the international average on several measures of timely access for medical care, even though over 90-percent of Canadians reported having a regular doctor.
Over 75-percent of people living in New Zealand and the Netherlands were able to schedule an appointment to see a doctor within 24-48 hours.
Less than half of Canadians reported being able to schedule a same day, or next day, appointment with their family doctor.
The survey also found 34-percent of Canadians were able to receive medical care in the evenings, weekends or on a holiday without visiting the emergency department.
Canadians reported having the longest wait times during visits to the E-R and also experienced long wait times to see a specialist, with the average Canadian waiting longer than 4 weeks for an appointment.
Although Canadians may wait longer for medical care, almost three-quarters of Canadians rate the quality of care as very good or excellent.
