3 ms·

I saw a lot of articles like this in the past. My friend had colon cancer and survived, but it was tenuous. So when I turned 48, I asked my doctor about a colo

I saw a lot of articles like this in the past. My friend had colon cancer and survived, but it was tenuous. So when I turned 48, I asked my doctor about a colonoscopy. He said, it's 50 now. When I turned 50, I asked my doctor again. He said something along the lines of "we don't do colonoscopies without certain symptoms." So now I'm 53. I wish I could get a different doctor. I fully support medicare in Canada, but it's very hard to find a physician, much less a different physician.

twelve40 4y ago
> it's very hard to find a physician So it's funny how that works. You say it's hard to find a basic physician in Canada. I'm being constantly told by my doctors here in SF bay that it's also hard to find a physician here, and many specialists have months (like, half-year) wait times. So how do our countries not even collapse like that? There are other countries, some of them are less well-off, and some even with lower life expectancy, where you can snap your fingers and get a doctor, some countries where doctors will even pay you a visit at your house for free, and some that have mandatory prophylactic mass checkups at schools, colleges and work, which I have never ever seen in the US. Yet, the US and Canada have relatively decent health and life expectancy numbers, all with a very repulsive mass healthcare system (i'm not talking about unique surgeries and tech, just basic healthcare). How does this work?
- Wyoming23 4y ago
  Your experience doesn't match mine for US. Either SF is unique (almost certainly true) or the specialists they're referencing are extremely in demand for specific conditions. With my regular PPO health insurance from my employer, I've had no trouble getting appointments with various specialists over the years. Occasionally I call one place and get told they can't see me for 2 months, so I just call the second name on the list and get an appointment sooner.

twelve40 4y ago

> it's very hard to find a physician So it's funny how that works. You say it's hard to find a basic physician in Canada. I'm being constantly told by my doctors here in SF bay that it's also hard to find a physician here, and many specialists have months (like, half-year) wait times. So how do our countries not even collapse like that? There are other countries, some of them are less well-off, and some even with lower life expectancy, where you can snap your fingers and get a doctor, some countries where doctors will even pay you a visit at your house for free, and some that have mandatory prophylactic mass checkups at schools, colleges and work, which I have never ever seen in the US. Yet, the US and Canada have relatively decent health and life expectancy numbers, all with a very repulsive mass healthcare system (i'm not talking about unique surgeries and tech, just basic healthcare). How does this work?

Wyoming23 4y ago
Your experience doesn't match mine for US. Either SF is unique (almost certainly true) or the specialists they're referencing are extremely in demand for specific conditions. With my regular PPO health insurance from my employer, I've had no trouble getting appointments with various specialists over the years. Occasionally I call one place and get told they can't see me for 2 months, so I just call the second name on the list and get an appointment sooner.