Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on July 4, 2007, at 17:09:02
In reply to Re: Please be civil, posted by Sigismund on July 4, 2007, at 15:44:06
> There's a reasonable a film called "The Barbarian Invasions", which touches on Canada's health system.
>
> Death by narcotic overdose too.
>
> It's a sequel to "The Decline of the American Empire", from a while back, I think."The Barbarian "Invasions.." is creative, with a lot of imagination. The fact is, though, in the Province where the movie takes place, Quebec, the healthcare system is close to the best of all provinces. First off, they don't just "wheel you out in the hallway and let you die". You get a multiple (many!) number of caretakers who see to your every move in often a semi-private room. Most employers in Canada buy a bit of 'extra insurance' for their workers, giving them a private room. Social workers, Specialist doctors(multiple..not just the primary ones monitoring you..including Psychiatrists...Urologists...Oncologists..Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists.. all based on what you need.. nurses to treat and monitor ANY medical condition you have consistently available at the push of a button, or on a regular 'round'....for besides what landed you in the hospital. I've seen them in action..as they bustle in rotating on hours.
Kind, wonderful people. Orderlies and healthcare workers who will sit and talk with you, or take you for a walk, or help feed you a meal..or just get a drink of water or whatever you like, at the flip of a switch. Lab workers, who take all of the needed bloodwork and such, who come by many times a day. There is also an ombudsman you (and your family) can talk to if you feel needs are not being met.When it is time to go home, we have 'homecare', a combination of nurses, healthcare aides, social workers, physiotherapists, nutritionists, who look after *everything* you need as you recover at home. Your primary doctor over-sees this. We have the best of hospices to tend to those who have terminal illness, with many services as above. Social Workers co-ordinate with the family, as the primary doc as well. I've seen it ALL in action, and it is damn impressive! All of this even if you don't have a dime to your name.
Jay
poster:Jay_Bravest_Face
thread:767620
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20070312/msgs/767655.html