Cost of an annual physical more than the system can bear?
When was the last time you had a checkup? A year ago? Two?
With the cost of medical bills rising all the time, some of us may need to rethink that annual physical exam, say health-care critics.
Those annual checkups are too often a formality that siphons time and money from the healthcare system without offering definitive improvements for patients in return, they maintain.
This may be particularly when you consider that the screening tests that routinely accompany them may not be of great use, and can lead to unneeded procedures.
For instance, another new report has labelled the PSA blood test, which is generally not covered by OHIP and other provincial plans, as a marginal prostate cancer screening tool.
Many can have high rates of “false positives,” signaling that there may be disease, when further tests and procedures reveal none. Likewise, they can screen for conditions where early detection doesn't alter the course of the disease.
Mixed messages like those surrounding PSA keep more Canadians from taking control of cancer, getting screened regularly and living longer as a result, counter believers.
How often do you have a complete physical? Given that our system isn't 'free', would you be willing to go less often?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Mia | Jun 5, 2021 4:44:15 PM
We are only allowed 1 physical every 12 months. I would assume based on just the friends and family that surround me, most don't even go once a year.
It seems that Canada's FREE health care system has grown legs because most people outside Canada think we get more than we do.
I am glad I live here for sure. The best country in the world, but people....we pay through our taxes for our beloved health care....it certainly is not free!!!
Posted by: SP | Jun 5, 2021 6:13:09 PM
There is the option of allowing all the foreign doctors that Canada has recruited from around the world to work as Doctors instead of Taxi drivers. This would allow 4x as many Doctors to make $100,000.00 a year instead of the numbers we've got with many making $400,000.00 + a year.
(And don't give me this cr4p about Doctors being saintly figures with superhuman abilities. One only need to see their massive numbers of scr3w-ups to realize that most are little better than skilled plumbers.
It is a messed up system when Doctors police themselves and determine their own wages by limiting access to their kleptocratic club.
PS In a couple years only Saudi Arabia will produce more Oil than Canada. We CAN afford decent social services for all Canadians.
Posted by: Frank | Jun 5, 2021 6:41:52 PM
Why is there so much emphasis on health care and so little attention paid to physical wellness. Smoking, alcohol, illegal drug and obesity are ruining the health of the country. Who know the dollar impact. Canada needs a system that rewards conscious responsible behavior running in tandem with our healthcare. Our healthcare system is not sustainable. Throwing more money at it will not solve the problems. Access to a gym is needed far more than access to a doctors office. The only thing wrong with Canada's heath care system is about 50% of Canadians.