how is healthcare any good here?

[kadjajsd]

Go to a doctor for literally anything, firstly there's horrible wait times then then in almost all issues, they tell you go to home rest and drink water. really??

I've been having pain issues, nerve issues, the family doctor literally never picks up his phone. Going to emergency is useless because they will tell you to just get some rest and apply ice.

No doctor wants to just send a referral to a specialist because they dont want to 'burden the system'.
Oh for crying out loud. I am so fed up.

 

[canuck78]

Go to a doctor for literally anything, firstly there's horrible wait times then then in almost all issues, they tell you go to home rest and drink water. really??

I've been having pain issues, nerve issues, the family doctor literally never picks up his phone. Going to emergency is useless because they will tell you to just get some rest and apply ice.

No doctor wants to just send a referral to a specialist because they dont want to 'burden the system'.
Oh for crying out loud. I am so fed up.

Impossible for anyone to comment because we have not assessed you. You are describing anything from a sports injury to a chronic neurological condition. In general doctors don’t tell everyone just to go home and rest but many patients seem go expect that there is a treatment for everything. Resting and time is a treatment for many things. The emergency room is set-up to deal with acute issues not chronic issues so you can’t expect an ER to be able to see you for something that isn’t an acute issue that needs treatment right away. That is not their job. Family doctors can deal with many issues which is why they are supposed to exhaust their treatment options, determine whether it is an issue that needs specialized care and then refer. I have lots of criticism for the healthcare system and I am sorry that you are both in pain and very frustrated but I also know that people expect a referral right away before exhausting treatment options through their GP and also before waiting to see if treatments have time to work. For example it can take months for an injury to heal. How long have you tried physio? It usually takes months of regular physio plus exercises at home to work on certain injuries. It looks like you have had pain for 3 months which is relatively short when it comes to injuries healing. I would ask for an x-ray of your spine and then potentially an MRI. That would identify any potential structural issues in your spine.

 

[Naturgrl]

Don’t your exact back issues but contact a physio clinic if you need exercises for pain or a chiropracter. Prescription medication may not be the solution but exercises and physio. And physio isn’t covered by OHIP so call a clinic and book an appointment. They will be able to assess your issues and give a plan of action.

 

[steaky]

You can also try an acupunture clinic

 

[YVR123]

And if it's a muscle tension issue an RMT.

 

[DanLamas988]

Even if you have the ability to schedule a same day appointment with your physician, it's not uncommon for patients to wait for hours or even days before getting a chance to be seen by the physician. According to the CDC, the average wait time for patients in the Canada is 30 minutes, with an average wait time of 14 minutes for urgent care centers. Furthermore, to alleviate long wait times, it's a good idea to be proactive and schedule appointments outside of peak hours. Patients who arrive early in the morning or late in the evening tend to have an easier time getting an appointment.

 

[milon45]

Go to a doctor for literally anything, firstly there's horrible wait times then then in almost all issues, they tell you go to home rest and drink water. really??

I've been having pain issues, nerve issues, the family doctor literally never picks up his phone health centre in Richmond hill. Going to emergency is useless because they will tell you to just get some rest and apply ice.

No doctor wants to just send a referral to a specialist because they dont want to 'burden the system'.
Oh for crying out loud. I am so fed up.

I understand your frustration with the healthcare system. It can be incredibly disheartening when you're in pain and feel like your concerns aren't being taken seriously. Unfortunately, long wait times and general advice like "rest and drink water" can be common, especially in primary care settings. It might be helpful to seek a second opinion or try to find a specialist who can address your specific issues more effectively. Additionally, consider reaching out to patient advocacy groups or looking for local clinics that might have shorter wait times and a more responsive approach. You deserve proper care and attention for your health concerns!