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I'm genuinely curious about this, particularly the "easy to see a doctor" part, because I know that quite a few Canadians travel to Thailand for non-emergency m

by geomark 11y ago

I'm genuinely curious about this, particularly the "easy to see a doctor" part, because I know that quite a few Canadians travel to Thailand for non-emergency medical care mostly due to long wait times. That's according to a few statistics published by some of the private hospitals in Thailand. I've seen few outbound studies published by Canadian researchers, although here's one from last year [1]. From what I understand, out-of-pocket costs aren't that much difference between Thailand and Canada. [1] http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/more-than-52-000-canadians-travelled-abroad-for-medical-care-in-2014-study-1.2283121 http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/more-than-52-000-canadians-trav...

graeme 11y ago
I think it varies a lot by jurisdiction, proximity to foreign centers, and type of procedure. For instance, I live in Quebec. On the chart in the article, Quebec only had 6284 travelers, despite having a large population. Quebec's private medical system is more extensive than average, and I think you can buy more here than you can in some other provinces. BC also has easier travel options to Asia. It would be quite a trip from Quebec, and possibly easier to buy locally. Across the board, wait times tend to be long only for elective issues. I've generally had no trouble with them for and neither has my family. Though some specialties seem worse off. For instance, if I needed a gastroenterologist in Montreal, I believe I'd have great difficulty finding one. Also, in Montreal, much depends on your local hospital. Some have longer wait times than others, even within the same city. If someone doesn't know how to navigate that system, going abroad may seem simpler.
- geomark 11y ago
  That makes sense, the variation by jurisdiction. It's kind of strange that a local person would find it simpler to go abroad than navigate the complicated workings of the local care system. Although it is pretty simple when you go to a medical tourism destination - you just get off the plane, taxi to the hospital, walk in and ask for sevice, and you get it.

by geomark 11y ago

graeme 11y ago

I think it varies a lot by jurisdiction, proximity to foreign centers, and type of procedure. For instance, I live in Quebec. On the chart in the article, Quebec only had 6284 travelers, despite having a large population. Quebec's private medical system is more extensive than average, and I think you can buy more here than you can in some other provinces. BC also has easier travel options to Asia. It would be quite a trip from Quebec, and possibly easier to buy locally. Across the board, wait times tend to be long only for elective issues. I've generally had no trouble with them for and neither has my family. Though some specialties seem worse off. For instance, if I needed a gastroenterologist in Montreal, I believe I'd have great difficulty finding one. Also, in Montreal, much depends on your local hospital. Some have longer wait times than others, even within the same city. If someone doesn't know how to navigate that system, going abroad may seem simpler.

geomark 11y ago
That makes sense, the variation by jurisdiction. It's kind of strange that a local person would find it simpler to go abroad than navigate the complicated workings of the local care system. Although it is pretty simple when you go to a medical tourism destination - you just get off the plane, taxi to the hospital, walk in and ask for sevice, and you get it.