Comments on: The myth of “free” healthcare in Canada http://keyes.ca/journal/2009/08/28/the-myth-of-free-healthcare-in-canada/ Connecting with Canadians Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:33:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rob Strickler http://keyes.ca/journal/2009/08/28/the-myth-of-free-healthcare-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-872 Rob Strickler Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:57:33 +0000 http://keyes.ca/journal/?p=656#comment-872 I don't think we're too far apart on this one. Replace the question, "did I receive value from that doctor's visit?" with "did my doctor treat me effectively?" and we're talking about the same thing. Market terminology has a lot of baggage. (What terminology doesn't.) As for gaging value, I am insufficiently informed as to what constitutes "value" within healthcare policy. I have visibility only to front-line services (ERs, ambulances, GPs, nurses, etc.) and not the really expensive stuff (research, purchases, training, etc.). To rely on 'customer focused' planning would improperly align resources (eg. "Ask your doctor about _new_drug_with_super_side_effects_...", sends the US system out of whack). I'd be willing to consider "value" from patient's perspective but within an efficient market model "value" is driven by competition. Shopping around for doctors isn't the same as shopping around for groceries; and it drives up overall healthcare costs. Markets are really good at managing commodities. Is healthcare a commodity? Maybe that's the crux: can language about commodities be applied to healthcare? I don’t think we’re too far apart on this one. Replace the question, “did I receive value from that doctor’s visit?” with “did my doctor treat me effectively?” and we’re talking about the same thing. Market terminology has a lot of baggage. (What terminology doesn’t.)

As for gaging value, I am insufficiently informed as to what constitutes “value” within healthcare policy. I have visibility only to front-line services (ERs, ambulances, GPs, nurses, etc.) and not the really expensive stuff (research, purchases, training, etc.). To rely on ‘customer focused’ planning would improperly align resources (eg. “Ask your doctor about _new_drug_with_super_side_effects_…”, sends the US system out of whack).

I’d be willing to consider “value” from patient’s perspective but within an efficient market model “value” is driven by competition. Shopping around for doctors isn’t the same as shopping around for groceries; and it drives up overall healthcare costs.

Markets are really good at managing commodities. Is healthcare a commodity? Maybe that’s the crux: can language about commodities be applied to healthcare?

]]> By: Andrew http://keyes.ca/journal/2009/08/28/the-myth-of-free-healthcare-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-852 Andrew Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:02:08 +0000 http://keyes.ca/journal/?p=656#comment-852 Rob, I'm not sure we should be resisting a idea of introducing a "value" question when discussing healthcare. In fact I think that question would help to improve the services we receive. Can you explain to me what it is about healthcare services that makes you feel they should be exempt from this question? Rob, I’m not sure we should be resisting a idea of introducing a “value” question when discussing healthcare. In fact I think that question would help to improve the services we receive. Can you explain to me what it is about healthcare services that makes you feel they should be exempt from this question?

]]> By: Rob Strickler http://keyes.ca/journal/2009/08/28/the-myth-of-free-healthcare-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-851 Rob Strickler Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:35:52 +0000 http://keyes.ca/journal/?p=656#comment-851 I'm with you on the notion of visibility, if for nothing more to highlight the efficiencies of the Canadian system over the American model. You're right: healthcare isn't free. One thing that did bother me: when did healthcare become a "consumer" event using market terms like "value"? Not everything fits into a product/consumer framework. I’m with you on the notion of visibility, if for nothing more to highlight the efficiencies of the Canadian system over the American model.

You’re right: healthcare isn’t free.

One thing that did bother me: when did healthcare become a “consumer” event using market terms like “value”? Not everything fits into a product/consumer framework.

]]> By: Blazingcatfur http://keyes.ca/journal/2009/08/28/the-myth-of-free-healthcare-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-848 Blazingcatfur Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:23:26 +0000 http://keyes.ca/journal/?p=656#comment-848 I wish to point out I have witnessed excellent care given my mother at other Toronto hospitals. - Our experience with Toronto General Hospital however has left us both determined that we will do all that is possible to never have dealings with that Charnel House again. An 84 year old woman who had a heart attack followed by an angioplasty was left in a hospital corridor with a hemorrhaging artery, it was 14 hours before proper treatment was received, her total stay was for 18 hours. What we witnessed was not caregiving professionalism but rather neglect meted out by incompetent union thugs. The piece I wrote may be appearing in the National Post next week. I will not use our real names as I genuinely fear reprisals by staff against my Mother during a scheduled follow up visit to TGH. I wish to point out I have witnessed excellent care given my mother at other Toronto hospitals. – Our experience with Toronto General Hospital however has left us both determined that we will do all that is possible to never have dealings with that Charnel House again.

An 84 year old woman who had a heart attack followed by an angioplasty was left in a hospital corridor with a hemorrhaging artery, it was 14 hours before proper treatment was received, her total stay was for 18 hours. What we witnessed was not caregiving professionalism but rather neglect meted out by incompetent union thugs.

The piece I wrote may be appearing in the National Post next week. I will not use our real names as I genuinely fear reprisals by staff against my Mother during a scheduled follow up visit to TGH.

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