Doctor-patient relationships in Canada and Ireland: similarities and differences

Doctor-Patient Relationship Canada v. Ireland

Canada and Ireland both have nationalized health care plans. While these plans are different and alike in many ways, there are major concerns over the doctor-patient relationship and methods involved therein. Most countries will agree the doctor-patient relationship is important, and maintenance or destruction of that that relationship can have a major impact on a patient's health.

Ireland has made vast changes to their health care system over the years. In Irish healthcare, everyone has the option of free health care, if needed. Irish are also given the option to pay for private health insurance also. Many wealthier families will pay their own medical bills, instead of using a medical card. The system is based on income and scales down to no co pays, etc. For the underserved population.

In Irish studies of doctor-patient relationships it has been shown that, although the Irish tend to have higher wait times to see a GP or doctor, there is a high percentage of the population that is satisfied with their GP. An average Irish citizen will see the doctor 2-3 times a year. Irish citizens are show to stay with the same GP unless he/she moves or is unable to practice for some reason. It was reported that only 2.5% of Irish citizens did not see their GP in the last 5 years. The wait time for a major operation or organ transplant is about 4-6 years. One might suppose the long wait time to see one's GP would cause rifts in the doctor-patient relationship; however, it does not seem to.

The Canadian health care system is also a national system for providing health insurance. Canadians show a lower rate of confidence in physicians assigned to them. Canada's health care system shows long wait times for procedures, and lowers costs than the U.S.A. Ireland and Canada both have low health care costs as compared with the U.S.

Canada has been slower to adopt new technology than Ireland, and it has been hurting patients' views of health care in Canada. Canada does show reports of better financing options for patients. In reviewing literature and thinking of personal experience, one might suspect these nations had similar reports when it comes to health care. One might conclude that because both countries have increased wait times, the patient-doctor relationship would be proportional. It does not appear to be that way. Upon close review, Canadian citizens had more complaints about the health care system than Irish citizens.