BC/Canadian Healthcare

[The Arrogant Worms]

I hear so many stories about people complaining I thought I would give a positive review of my experience the past 6 weeks.

 

I am very lucky as my Doctor retired and a young Doctor bought his practise.  Most days I can call at 8am and get into see him that morning if it is something important.

 

Went hiking and cut my leg and got a bad infection. Doctor didn't know what the hell was going on. Had antibiotics for 2 weeks that didn't do much.

My left leg from the knee down was red and swollen and 2 times the size as my right.

Saw him again and he got me an ultrasound in 90 minutes as he was worried about a blood clot. Came back clear.

Then had to go into the hospital 14 straight days for an IV of super strong antibiotics..

Helped somewhat but he was still worried about blood flow and got me an MRI in 12 hours.

Came back fine thankfully.

Now it is back to normal.

Edited October 5, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[Ryan Strome]

So if they have a fear of blood clots then you get expedited. As far as healthcare goes, I mean in the provinces that I'm aware of, If you are in a bad spot you will get the care you need. I think people complain when they maybe aren't at such a risk that you were with a potential blood clot. That's not to say their concerns aren't valid and to say that the system doesn't need fixing because it does. It's just such a tough one to work on because it turns political. That being said I'm happy you got the help you needed while it's good news, it's just an anecdotal story in the whole health care file. 

 

Admittedly, I've always found the health care in this country to be what I needed to be. But then again, I've been quite healthy and have never really needed hospitals so I wouldn't be a good person to give a personal experience other than to say what I've needed has been good.

Edited October 5, 2023 by Ryan Strome

[The Arrogant Worms]

21 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

So if they have a fear of blood clots then you get expedited. As far as healthcare goes, I mean in the provinces that I'm aware of, If you are in a bad spot you will get the care you need. I think people complain when they maybe aren't at such a risk that you were with a potential blood clot. That's not to say their concerns aren't valid and to say that the system doesn't need fixing because it does. It's just such a tough one to work on because it turns political. That being said I'm happy you got the help you needed while it's good news, it's just an anecdotal story in the whole health care file. 

 

Admittedly, I've always found the health care in this country to be what I needed to be. But then again, I've been quite healthy and have never really needed hospitals so I wouldn't be a good person to give a personal experience other than to say what I've needed has been good.

 

 

That's why I said it was my experience and of course an anecdotal story in the whole health care file. 

 

My Dad also got wonderful care the last few years of his life before he passed away in May 2021.  He beat prostate cancer for the 2nd time at 91 years old.

 

My sister however has a shitty Doctor and she can't change as it is impossible to find another Doctor.

 

Also about 8 years ago my brother in law was getting chest pains....went to emergency in Duncan and they sent him to Victoria and he got a triple bypass the next day.

 

And never had to declare bankruptcy.

 

It sucks getting older lol

Edited October 5, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[Ryan Strome]

7 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

 

 

That's why I said it was my experience and of course an anecdotal story in the whole health care file. 

 

My Dad also got wonderful care the last few years of his life before he passed away in May 2021.  He beat prostate cancer for the 2nd time at 91 years old.

 

My sister however has a shitty Doctor and she can't change as it is impossible to find another Doctor.

 

Also about 8 years ago my brother in law was getting chest pains....went to emergency in Duncan and they sent him to Victoria and he got a triple bypass the next day.

 

And never had to declare bankruptcy.

 

It sucks getting older lol

Provincial and federal governments need to invest more in family doctors and make it easier for doctors to relocate to Canada. There is far too many Canadians without a doctor and that puts a serious strain on emergency rooms and urgent cares.

[24K]

5 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

Provincial and federal governments need to invest more in family doctors and make it easier for doctors to relocate to Canada. There is far too many Canadians without a doctor and that puts a serious strain on emergency rooms and urgent cares.

If anything they need to get more NPs. 

Lots of time people just need something small checked out, get blood work or routine check up things ordered, or get prescription refilled. 

 

That can all be done with a NP that doesn't require as much time and resources to train up compared to a doctor and allow actual doctors to attend to more sever cases. 

 

Just my 2c. 

Edited October 5, 2023 by 24K

[The Arrogant Worms]

2 minutes ago, 24K said:

If anything they need to get more NPs. 

Lots of time people just need something small checked out, get blood work or routine check up things ordered, or get prescription refilled. 

 

That can all be done with a NP that doesn't require as much time and resources to train up compared to a doctor and allow actual doctors to attend to more sever cases. 

 

Just my 2c. 

 

 

My wife is a Pharmacist and they are finally allowing them to do more health wise which is a step in the right direction.

[Ryan Strome]

3 minutes ago, 24K said:

If anything they need to get more NPs. 

Lots of time people just need something small checked out, get blood work or routine check up things ordered, or get prescription refilled. 

 

That can all be done with a NP that doesn't require as much time and resources to train up compared to a doctor and allow actual doctors to attend to more sever cases. 

 

Just my 2c. 

Your 2Cents is worth a lot. Nurse practitioners are the path forward but it's a difficult situation. I live in Alberta and we have some of the fewest nurse practitioners. This in my opinion is one of those things when things make so much sense and government doesn't act on it. As for the prescription refilling and whatnot, I can't speak to British Columbia, but a bunch of shoppers drug Marts in Alberta are doing almost like walk in clinic stuff.

[Ryan Strome]

Just now, The Arrogant Worms said:

 

 

My wife is a Pharmacist and they are finally allowing them to do more health wise which is a step in the right direction.

See my post below. So in Alberta the shoppers drug Marts are now treating people as if they are walk-in clinics.

[The Arrogant Worms]

3 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

See my post below. So in Alberta the shoppers drug Marts are now treating people as if they are walk-in clinics.

Yes Alberta has been ahead in this but finally BC is doing it also. 

 

She had to take like 20 hours of online learning on her own time though which was a little stressful as she can prescribe certain medications and birth control now.  And renew certain medications.

Edited October 5, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[Ryan Strome]

14 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

Yes Alberta has been ahead in this but finally BC is doing it also. 

 

She had to take like 20 hours of online learning on her own time though which was a little stressful as she can prescribe certain medications and birth control now.  And renew certain medications.

Congratulations to your wife

[The Arrogant Worms]

4 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

Congratulations to your wife

 

Lol...not sure how she feels about.  Isn't getting anymore money and neither is the Pharmacy.

[Ryan Strome]

1 minute ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

 

Lol...not sure how she feels about.  Isn't getting anymore money and neither is the Pharmacy.

Lol my bad. My assumption was that they would be getting more money.

[Sharpshooter]

Hospitals in the Lower Mainland are usually in triage mode. 
 

The issue as I see it is that Planners didn’t keep up with infrastructure development with the population influx. 
 

Same goes for schools, pools, etc. 

 

Too many people all trying to use the same things. 
 

Health care is deteriorating rapidly here. 
 

It used to be a badge of pride, and now it’s a black eye. 
 

Not blaming anyone in particular, but blaming everyone generally that ought to have seen this coming and still aren’t doing diddly-squat. 

[moosehead]

2 hours ago, Ryan Strome said:

Provincial and federal governments need to invest more in family doctors and make it easier for doctors to relocate to Canada. There is far too many Canadians without a doctor and that puts a serious strain on emergency rooms and urgent cares.

 

A few issues.

 

Doctors giving out basic prescriptions  2 months at a time.  So you have to go  back repeatedly.....  birth control is an example.

More money for doctors by having patients go back every few months.   This is clogging up the system.

 

Let Pharmacist give out more prescriptions.   divert basic prescriptions away from doctors.

 

Let RN's do more at the hospital.... 

 

Just a few ideas. Not my expertise but i think doctors are doing too much in our current system 

[6of1_halfdozenofother]

20 minutes ago, moosehead said:

Doctors giving out basic prescriptions  2 months at a time.  So you have to go  back repeatedly.....  birth control is an example.

More money for doctors by having patients go back every few months.   This is clogging up the system.

 

Let Pharmacist give out more prescriptions.   divert basic prescriptions away from doctors.

 

Sometimes there's a medical reason for it.  For example, if the physician wants to confirm that the treatment prescribed is one that could be effective, or if it might bring to surface other conditions that would render i too risky as an ongoing treatment.

 

Or, for example, pain killers/other addictive drugs.

 

The concept is good.  But the limits on what can be done should be prudent enough to prevent other issues down the road.

[The Arrogant Worms]

29 minutes ago, moosehead said:

 

A few issues.

 

Doctors giving out basic prescriptions  2 months at a time.  So you have to go  back repeatedly.....  birth control is an example.

More money for doctors by having patients go back every few months.   This is clogging up the system.

 

Let Pharmacist give out more prescriptions.   divert basic prescriptions away from doctors.

 

Let RN's do more at the hospital.... 

 

Just a few ideas. Not my expertise but i think doctors are doing too much in our current system 

It is supposed be 3 months.  Part of it I can understand as health situations change.

[moosehead]

4 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

It is supposed be 3 months.  Part of it I can understand as health situations change.

 

yes , booking an appointment every 3 months for birth control makes no sense.  Doctor is rarely in office.   Maybe only mornings monday to friday.  People  need to take day off work to go in.    Not everyone can zoom during their work day.  Some people get 10 days off a year and now need to use 4 of their days to get a prescription.. This makes zero sense. 

 

Must be a better way.     This example looks like a doctor trying to max out his billing.  Not a good look for doctors.  

 

Let the pharmacists prescribe birth control.....   and other simple prescriptions.    There are likely many others that could be done at the pharmacy........  

 

Our system is broken.   We need dramatic changes.    Are doctors part of the problem or are they part of the solution ?

Edited October 6, 2023 by moosehead

[bolt]

Williams Lake ER

[Ryan Strome]

3 hours ago, Sharpshooter said:

Hospitals in the Lower Mainland are usually in triage mode. 
 

The issue as I see it is that Planners didn’t keep up with infrastructure development with the population influx. 
 

Same goes for schools, pools, etc. 

 

Too many people all trying to use the same things. 
 

Health care is deteriorating rapidly here. 
 

It used to be a badge of pride, and now it’s a black eye. 
 

Not blaming anyone in particular, but blaming everyone generally that ought to have seen this coming and still aren’t doing diddly-squat. 

Yeah, well of course, a lot of this is accurate in pretty much every facet of our lives. We need more family doctors/nurse practitioners and then that would give a lot of ease to the hospitals.

2 hours ago, moosehead said:

 

A few issues.

 

Doctors giving out basic prescriptions  2 months at a time.  So you have to go  back repeatedly.....  birth control is an example.

More money for doctors by having patients go back every few months.   This is clogging up the system.

 

Let Pharmacist give out more prescriptions.   divert basic prescriptions away from doctors.

 

Let RN's do more at the hospital.... 

 

Just a few ideas. Not my expertise but i think doctors are doing too much in our current system 

1) Pharmacies in Alberta have been doing this.

2) RN's do most of the work.

1 hour ago, bolt said:

Williams Lake ER

Well I'm not surprised. I can't imagine any doctor and nurse wanting to live in Williams Lake..

[The Arrogant Worms]

18 hours ago, moosehead said:

 

yes , booking an appointment every 3 months for birth control makes no sense.  Doctor is rarely in office.   Maybe only mornings monday to friday.  People  need to take day off work to go in.    Not everyone can zoom during their work day.  Some people get 10 days off a year and now need to use 4 of their days to get a prescription.. This makes zero sense. 

 

Must be a better way.     This example looks like a doctor trying to max out his billing.  Not a good look for doctors.  

 

Let the pharmacists prescribe birth control.....   and other simple prescriptions.    There are likely many others that could be done at the pharmacy........  

 

Our system is broken.   We need dramatic changes.    Are doctors part of the problem or are they part of the solution ?

 

 

Pharmacists can prescribe birth control in BC now.

Edited October 6, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[DrJockitch]

19 hours ago, moosehead said:

 

A few issues.

 

Doctors giving out basic prescriptions  2 months at a time.  So you have to go  back repeatedly.....  birth control is an example.

More money for doctors by having patients go back every few months.   This is clogging up the system.

 

Let Pharmacist give out more prescriptions.   divert basic prescriptions away from doctors.

 

Let RN's do more at the hospital.... 

 

Just a few ideas. Not my expertise but i think doctors are doing too much in our current system 

Most doctors don’t do that unless getting established on a new prescription or a change in dose. I can tell you for the most part with stable medications I give out a year at a time. 
If there is anything we want it  is usually more appointment times.  BC also doesn’t use a lot of capitation so it is a pressure for family docs to rush all the time and push people through in massive numbers so having a few easy appointments in the day balances things. 
Part of the problem with phone and internet medicine is not that we don’t necessarily want to do it, is that the government pays little to nothing and we still have all the liability but not the ability to examine. But I agree taking time off work for every appointment is a problem. 
The pressure is always there to work evenings nights and weekends but we are people with families and all the same time crunches of day to day life as anyone. When I started my career I worked 3 weeks straight pretty much every month with only one weekend off, and there was always pressure from local hospital to do more. 
Before everyone gets on high horse with the doctors about this problem, please realize we have been telling the government that this is what would happen for decades. The entire population was aging and so was the population if doctors. The governments response was always pretty consistent, “meh that is the next governments problem”. Well it has come to roost but now it is 10 years too late to fix it. 
Pharmacists prescribing is good and frustrating.  We push and get graded on the amount of antibiotics we prescribe per patient, they don’t. Also the lists of things they can treat is limited and seemingly arbitrary.
NPs can be hit and miss, part of the argument that they need less training but this is a bit of an interesting argument because you know what, they have less training but 100% of the expectations.  What they really are is cheaper but also see a lot less people per day. 
The push of patient pressure is causing a dilution of expertise. The Family Docs more and more are expected to do specialist jobs, NPs and Pharmacists the family docs jobs, RPN are more frequently doing RN work and PSW are doing RPN work. The expertise is getting diluted and the end results will continue to degrade.

[The Arrogant Worms]

19 hours ago, moosehead said:

 

yes , booking an appointment every 3 months for birth control makes no sense.  Doctor is rarely in office.   Maybe only mornings monday to friday.  People  need to take day off work to go in.    Not everyone can zoom during their work day.  Some people get 10 days off a year and now need to use 4 of their days to get a prescription.. This makes zero sense. 

 

Must be a better way.     This example looks like a doctor trying to max out his billing.  Not a good look for doctors.  

 

Let the pharmacists prescribe birth control.....   and other simple prescriptions.    There are likely many others that could be done at the pharmacy........  

 

Our system is broken.   We need dramatic changes.    Are doctors part of the problem or are they part of the solution ?

 

 

Pretty well all refills are done over the phone now unless the Doctor requests an in person appointment or you do.

 

I also get blood work done every 3 months...ya getting older sucks.

 

  My wife is 10.5 years younger than I am and gets fake angry at me as my cholesterol is perfect even though I eat like crap sometimes. 

 

Blood pressure is good....my A1C is 5.2 which amazes me as I love carbs (especially beer).

 

I chalk part of it up to good genes....my Dad and all his brothers lived into their 90's.  That and  I have for the most part constantly gone to

the gym for 42 years...started when I was 23..  Makes a huge difference especially when you get older.  Strength training is good

for your bones and stability.

 

I am lucky my Doctor is there all day Monday to Thursday and does phone appointments from home on Fridays.

 

You would be surprised how often my wife has to call Doctor's about prescriptions the order.  Many Doctors don't take into account other medications the patient is on and their health history.

Edited October 6, 2023 by The Arrogant Worms

[Ryan Strome]

11 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

 

 

Pretty well all refills are done over the phone now unless the Doctor requests an in person appointment or you do.

 

I also get blood work done every 3 months...ya getting older sucks.

 

  My wide is 10.5 years younger than I am and gets fake angry at me as my cholesterol is perfect even though I eat like crap sometimes. 

 

Blood pressure is good....my A1C is 5.2 which amazes me as I love carbs (especially beer).

 

I chalk part of it up to good genes....my Dad and all his brothers lived into their 90's.  That and  I have for the most part constantly gone to

the gym for 42 years...started when I was 23..  Makes a huge difference especially when you get older  Strength training is good

for your bones and stability.

 

I am lucky my Doctor is there all day Monday to Thursday and does phone appointments form home on Fridays.

 

You would be surprised how often my wife has to call Doctor's about prescriptions the order.  Many Doctors don't take into account other medications the patient is on and their health history.

She might not like being referred to as your "wide."

 

Edit. fking Strome.

Edited October 6, 2023 by Ryan Strome

[Ryan Strome]

5 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

She might like being referred to as your "wide."

Whoa whoa @The Arrogant Worms that was supposed to say might not like.

[The Arrogant Worms]

2 minutes ago, Ryan Strome said:

Whoa whoa @The Arrogant Worms that was supposed to say might not like.

I have to edit everything theses days lol