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So, tell me....

So, tell me....

unclepercy

#1Jan 4th, 2006

In Canada, when you have to go to the doctor, do you make an appointment or can you walk in? My doctor does both.

Do you have a co-payment on your health plan, or is it totally free?
I have varying co-payments, depending on service provided.

When you go to the pharmacy to get a prescription, do you have to pay a portion of the cost? I have varying co-payments, depending on the expense of the drug.

Do you have any choice of doctor? We do, but it is from a list that the insurance company provides. You can change as often as you wish.

Do you have a lot of foreign doctors who don't speak good English?
Unfortunately, we do, and I don't go to these.

Can you sue a doctor for malpractice? We can, but there were recent caps put on the amount.

What type of doctor is difficult to get in to see? Here, it is rheumatologists. They're pretty scarce.

OK, I'll shut up now.

Uncle

Dexter Sinister

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 4th, 2006

Well Uncle, I can't speak for any jurisdiction but Saskatchewan, as that's where I live.

1. Most family physicians require an appointment, but there are also a lot of walk-in clinics that don't. You can't make appointments with anyone but a GP without a referral from a GP.

2. There's no direct charge for any visit.

3. Unless you belong to a drug plan of some sort, usually through an employer, you're on your own when it comes to paying for prescriptions. Even with a plan, you pay up front and recover a portion of the cost, usually 80%, from the insurer.

4. You can choose any doctor you want, without limitations.

5. Lots of foreign doctors, but I've never found one or heard of one whose English was unacceptable.

6. I presume I can sue a doctor for malpractice, but the question's never arisen so I haven't researched it. I have no idea what limitations there might be on it, if any. I do know that it's quite rare; in fact I can't offhand recall hearing of a single case.

7. We're short of all specialists. And GPs. And nurses. And hospital beds. And major diagnostic equipment, like CAT scanners. And to further amplify point #4, a shortage of GPs means some doctors refuse to take new patients, so if you move here from somewhere else you might have some difficulty. But that's a limitation applied by the doctor personally, not externally applied by some insurance company or regulatory agency.

And the question you didn't ask: dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy, psychological counselling, and a host of other health-related services, are not publicly funded. Most major employers have group benefit plans that partially cover the costs of those, for the price of a deduction from your pay, but a lot of people are not covered that way.

JomZ

RE: So, tell me....

Jan 4th, 2006

Quote:

6. I presume I can sue a doctor for malpractice, but the question's never arisen so I haven't researched it. I have no idea what limitations there might be on it, if any. I do know that it's quite rare; in fact I can't offhand recall hearing of a single case.

You can in Canada, its very strict

--

Quote:

Medical Malpractice In Canada -
Why You Need Legal Advice

By
Gregory T. Rhone, Barrister and Solicitor
Disclaimer

In Canada we rely on doctors and nurses, hospitals, and other health care providers including dentists, chiropractors, and the like to provide excellent medical treatment when we are sick or injured. When unintended consequences arise, they are often catastrophic. Nothing can be worse than a baby damaged through medical error, or leaving a hospital sicker than when you went in. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of medical treatment gone wrong you may be entitled to compensation. To find out, it is essential that you speak to a lawyer about your claim.

A recent study has found that 1 out of every 100 people admitted to the hospital are injured as a result of the negligence of their caregivers. This does not take into account those who are treated incorrectly at their doctor's office, or prescribed inappropriate or incorrect medication. Due to the increasing complexity of the issues involved in medical care, there are a myriad of things that can go wrong. Because of this, Medical Malpractice is an important and growing area of the law.

The Standard of Practice:

Health care practitioners are required to stay current in their knowledge and treatment methods and to meet a reasonable standard of practice. Where they fail to do so, they may be found liable for any injuries that result from their sub-standard care. The courts have found specifically that doctors have a duty to conduct their practice in accordance with standards. A general practitioner act in a manner consistent with that of a prudent and diligent doctor in the same circumstances. A specialists has a duty to exercise a higher degree of skill and knowledge because of their expertise in the field.

Who can be sued for medical negligence?

While doctors are often the targets of malpractice litigation, other defendants may include hospital staff including nurses and technicians, pharmacists, dentists and alternative health practitioners including chiropractors and others, if their actions or omissions are responsible for causing injuries.

Victims of medical malpractice are often unaware that their health care provider has caused them injury, as the circumstance of the negligence may not always be disclosed to the patient. If you suspect that you are suffering as a result of medical care, you should obtain a second opinion from another doctor, or contact a lawyer for assistance with obtaining a review of your case.

Your right to compensation:

While medical negligence claims are complex and take time to resolve, the benefits of a successful case can make a significant difference to an injured person.

If it is established that you suffered injury and damage as a result of the negligence of your doctor or other health care provider you may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, past and future wage loss, the cost of future care, out of pocket expenses and possibly other compensation.

In order to establish liability in negligence against a doctor or other health care provider a person must:

prove that the doctor owed a duty of care to the injured person;
establish the standard of care required of a prudent and diligent physician in similar circumstances;
prove that the doctor in question failed to meet the standard required;
demonstrate that the injury suffered was caused by the doctor's failure to meet the standard.
How do I prove my case?

It is essential that you have a lawyer well versed in this area of the law, who has available to him or her the right resources to properly conduct your case. Medical experts will be required to testify about the standard of care, and a lawyer skilled in the art of cross-examination will have the task of chipping away at the defence's case. That is were Gordon & Velletta can help. With a proven track record of cases resolved by settlement or at trial, we are well equipped to assist you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Here is a recent report of one of our cases.

Defences to Malpractice Claims:

Doctors have several defences to malpractice actions which include the doctrines of "respected minority," "accepted practice" and "error in judgment". These are technical matters that require a good lawyer to successfully challenge. If the doctor can establish that the actions which led to the injury were errors in judgment and not negligent, that the practice followed was accepted by other diligent and competent physicians and the injury merely an unfortunate result, or even that a minority of respectable doctors would act in a way which deviates from the standard accepted by most physicians, then the doctor may avoid liability unless negligence can be proven.

Because of these hurdles, it is always advisable to retain a lawyer to assist in pursuing a medical negligence claim. Your lawyer will be able to assist in deciding whether your case has enough merit to take to trial, will assist in preparing your case and will help obtain the required expert opinions to support your claim. Your lawyer will guide you through the complex litigation process with a view to maximizing your recovery

Dexter Sinister

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 4th, 2006

Thanks JomZ. Interesting stuff, good contribution, I didn't know any of that. Ain't the Web great? There's always somebody out there who knows what you don't.

unclepercy

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 4th, 2006

Thank you for answering my questions about the doctor.

Now this is more complicated. Is there rivalry between the provinces? Do the territories feel like second class citizens?
Do they have the same rights?

For example, if you live in BC - how do you feel about Labrador?
You only have 13, not 50 - so does it make it simpler?

Here is an example of two states: Texas and Oklahoma. You can't tell us apart - we look the same, talk the same, might as well live in the same state. We generally agree on everything, except one particular football game.

Uncle

LindzyRae

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 4th, 2006

Yes there are rivalries between provences, but nothing major from what I know of. There are also inter-provencial rivalries, such as between northern Ontario and southern Ontario.Especially since Toronto had the army called in to shovel a little snow.

JomZ

RE: So, tell me....

Jan 5th, 2006

Quote:

Especially since Toronto had the army called in to shovel a little snow.

The easiest peacekeeping mission ever.

But to stay on topic...

The problem is the constant battle between provincial and federal governments over the way the system runs in each province, and the amount of tax dollars each government is entitled to too maintain the system.

The Federal government wants a completely unified system where standards are the same across the board. Its just not that simple because of the major differences between the provinces, and the requirements for each to work.

Timetrvlr

Jan 6th, 2006

What is it you're researching here Uncle? Do you have some specific purpose in mind that we could help you with by pointing to some Canadian historical/cultural/sociological web sites, or are you just randomly curious? I'm tempted to suggest you should just come on up on vacation, look around, and talk to people like me. I've spent a fair bit of vacation time with my family driving around the states nearest to where I live--Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota--and aside from a few jarring notes, like bars at every crossroads and trucks with rifle racks in the rear window that actually contain rifles, it's often hard to tell I'm in another country. So come and visit Regina, Saskatchewan in the summer, PM before you come and I'll tell you how to find me, and we can sit on the patio with some cold drinks on a warm summer evening and I'll tell you everything I know.

I also feel compelled to embellish some of JomZ's answers.

How are school grades named and divided in Canada?
Every jurisdiction I've ever lived in (that's Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) divides them into primary school (grades 1-8 ) and high school (grades 9-12, 9-13 in Ontario).There are also two systems in most jurisdictions, called the public and the separate (which means Roman Catholic) schools. That's a result of a complex bit of historical and judicial stuff called the Manitoba Schools Question, which I'm sure you can find out way more about than you really want to know just by typing those three words into Google's search line.

Are women paid the same wages as men in Canada?
They're supposed to be, but reality is somewhat at variance with the law. As a group women on average earn less than men, but that statistic is distorted by the fact that there are more women in lower paying jobs. "Equal pay for work of equal value" is a principle enshrined in law and precedent, but we're not really there yet. I've seen studies that purport to show that even when men and women have identical jobs the women are paid less. That's an extremely complicated question though, and an honest and accurate assessment of the situation would no doubt extend to several large volumes. But the short answer is no.

Why doesn't Canada have Protestants...
That question really took me aback. Most Canadians, at least nominally, are Protestants; Catholics (active and lapsed) are a minority. It completely escapes me how anyone could get the idea we're mostly active or lapsed Catholics. The level of church attendance in Canada is far lower than it is in the USA, and I suspect most Canadians don't actually care much about religion, but most of us haven't gone to the point of deciding we're atheists.

And to answer another question you didn't ask, but one I think you'll get to eventually, because you're all around it here: our constitution, as yours does, specifies a division of responsibilities between federal and provincial/state governments, and limits the taxing powers of the provinces while giving the feds the right to raise money by (to quote the constitution) "any mode or system of taxation." The way things were divided was perfectly reasonable in 1867, but it isn't anymore. The provinces are saddled with the most expensive functions of modern governments in Canada--health, education, and social welfare services--and limited taxing powers, while the feds have less expensive functions (except national defence) and unlimited taxing powers. Much of the dynamics of contemporary Canadian politics can be understood as a consequence of the fact that the provinces have the problems and the feds have the money. As a result there is a complex and damn near incomprehensible system of transfer payments in place from the feds to the provinces to maintain national standards in areas like health care and education, and of course because the feds are providing the money they want to put conditions on its use, and that pisses off the provinces... Welcome to the fairyland of Canadian constitutional financial arrangements.

tracy

#14

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not

You don't have insurance?

I have insurance, I just have a high deductible ($3500), so until I cough up about that much it won't kick in.

unclepercy

#15

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Dexter Sinister

What is it you're researching here Uncle? Do you have some specific purpose in mind that we could help you with by pointing to some Canadian historical/cultural/sociological web sites, or are you just randomly curious? I'm tempted to suggest you should just come on up on vacation, look around, and talk to people like me. I've spent a fair bit of vacation time with my family driving around the states nearest to where I live--Montana, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota--and aside from a few jarring notes, like bars at every crossroads and trucks with rifle racks in the rear window that actually contain rifles, it's often hard to tell I'm in another country. So come and visit Regina, Saskatchewan in the summer, PM before you come and I'll tell you how to find me, and we can sit on the patio with some cold drinks on a warm summer evening and I'll tell you everything I know.
I also feel compelled to embellish some of JomZ's answers.
How are school grades named and divided in Canada?
Every jurisdiction I've ever lived in (that's Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) divides them into primary school (grades 1-8 ) and high school (grades 9-12, 9-13 in Ontario).There are also two systems in most jurisdictions, called the public and the separate (which means Roman Catholic) schools. That's a result of a complex bit of historical and judicial...
Quote has been trimmed

What am I researching? I guess I had that coming with the odd assortment of questions I asked. Nothing, I just wanted to know the answers to some questions that came to me while reading this forum.

For example, I can't ever remember anyone on this BB saying they were Protestant. Everyone who has mentioned their faith has said they are Catholic. So, you are telling me that every town has a Methodist and Baptist church? Since I am Protestant, it is a natural question.

I have been to Canada (Vancouver), and as a matter of fact, I have a friend who is from Regina. He moved away 25 years ago, though, and has become an American citizen. They don't go back to Canada but about every 3 years because it's so expensive/but their parents come down in the car every year to visit.

Thanks for being patient with me and answering all my questions.
I know they sounded peculiar/but I guess I am trying to figure out how much Canada is like the US. What we had in common.

Uncle

Dexter Sinister

#16

Re: So, tell me....

Jan 6th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by unclepercy

So, you are telling me that every town has a Methodist and Baptist church?

Strictly speaking, no, but you'll find something similar. Even the smallest prairie towns around here are likely to have at least a Catholic and a United church (an amalgam of Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians I think, with a dogma so watered down you can be anything short of a raving atheist and they'll let you in). Larger places, like around 1500 or more people, are likely to have an Anglican church (Episcopalian in the USA) as well, and depending on the ethnic mix and who settled where a century and more ago, you may find Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, and the still separate Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian churches (lots of people didn't go for the unification that created the United church), and pretty much any other denomination you can think of.

I just looked in the Yellow Pages for Regina, where I live (about 200,000 people), for churches. We have a variety of what are clearly fundamentalist and/or evangelical Protestant sects, with names like Jesus is Lord, Freedom in Christ, and the interestingly named End-Time Handmaidens and Servants, plus: Baptist, Lutheran, Mennonite, Jehovah's Witness, United, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, Anglican, Serbian Orthodox (never heard of that one before), Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist... And there's a variety of non-Christian organizations as well: Jew, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist. We got 'em all. The listings run to over four pages.

Just thought you'd like to know...

FiveParadox

#17

Religious Diversity

Jan 6th, 2006

The diversity in religious institutions can be found here, in the riding of Newton—North Delta, as well; churches of most denominations, in addition to gurdwaras, mosques, and synanogues are abound. There are probably around an equal number of each here, with perhaps a few more gurdwaras than the others.