Specialist wait times up in Canada, says study by free-enterprise think tank
VANCOUVER — A new study says Canadians are waiting longer than ever for specialist treatment, but one health research organization says most patients are receiving key procedures within acceptable time frames.
The Fraser Institute released its annual report Thursday on queues for specialist visits and diagnostic and surgical procedures. It is based on surveys of about 2,400 physicians from 12 specialties including orthopedic surgery and radiation oncology.
The free-enterprise think tank says the median national wait time, from referral to treatment, is 21.2 weeks, up from 20 weeks last year. It says this year’s wait time is more than double that of 1993, when it was 9.3 weeks.
“I think it matters to those Canadians who are in pain, who are relying on their families and caregivers while they’re waiting for treatment,” said author Bacchus Barua.