Quality Of Care In Canada Essay

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Canada’s healthcare system is often praised for its universal and free care. As Canadians, we are the first to boast about our healthcare – especially to our neighbouring country, the USA – when in reality, we rank a lowly 30th in the world’s health systems (World Health Organization, 2010). Canadians have a widespread belief that Canada is the only country with a free and accessible system. However Canadians often fail to remember that universal healthcare is, in fact, quite common throughout the world. Out of the thirty-four developed nations, thirty-three participate in universal healthcare. One study that examines seven Western countries has shown that Canada falls short in performance tests that examine areas such as quality of care, access…show more content…
The majority of these cases are simply misuse. It was recorded that the number of 9-1-1 calls increased 20.7% from 2010 to 2011 (2011 Annual 911 Report, 2012) and a significant portion of these calls are non-emergencies. With the increasing number of dispatches to 9-1-1, more ambulances, fire trucks and police are sent out for issues that individuals should have been able to handle on their own, instead of the incidents in which these services are truly needed. One of the many examples of 9-1-1 abuse was when police officers were contacted to settle an argument about a vacuum cleaner (CBC News, 2014). Many individuals fail to remember that 9-1-1 is an emergency contact intended for emergency cases only. Along with the growth in the misuse of the emergency services, many individuals will unnecessarily go to clinics, hospitals and care centers for ‘illnesses’ such as the common cold, headaches or muscle soreness in search of a cure that health care professionals simply do not have. Our care centers become overcrowded with the general public leading to congested clinics and extended wait times. The constant abuse of services such as 9-1-1, hospitals and clinics results in an inefficient health

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