Among other services, Japan’s health care system provides screening exams, prenatal care, and disease prevention, with the patient being responsible for 30% of the costs and the government paying the remainder. Personal medical services are paid through an insurance system that provides a level playing field of access, with government-determined fees. Japanese law requires residents to carry health insurance.

The government manages a national health insurance program, which is available to people without employer-sponsored insurance. The patients have the right to select what physicians or facilities they wish to use and cannot be denied coverage. According to law, hospitals have to be non-profit and run by physicians.

In Japan, medical treatment is of exceptionally high quality. There are no other countries in the world where people live longer than those born in Japan. Japan is the world’s leading country in technology and offers excellent hospitals and clinics with highly technical, state-of-the-art equipment. Although few Japanese pursue medicine (medical study is expensive), Japan has excellent hospitals and clinics.

Hospitals and clinics cannot be owned or operated by profit-making organizations, and physicians must own and operate clinics. The Japanese don’t have a family physician system, but there are numerous private and public hospitals in Japan.

Citizens of Japan, ex-pats, and foreigners are generally covered free of charge for health care. This is because the Japanese health system provides universal health care. The system can be used by all citizens and non-Japanese citizens living in Japan for over a year.

The government has attempted to improve the health care available to non-Japanese citizens in Japan as non-Japanese citizens grow. However, since the language barrier has always been a problem, the government has hired English-speaking doctors to work in Japanese hospitals.

Unsurprisingly, one-sixth of all surgeons and specialists in Japan were trained in western English-speaking countries such as the United States and England.

The term healthcare refers to the various systems and processes to improve or maintain our physical or mental health. It involves treating (or preventing) illness, injury, disease, and other physical or mental impairments. As part of healthcare, you can find medical doctors and hospitals and dental specialists, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

Healthcare systems across nations take many forms, and individuals have access to different types of healthcare depending on various factors, including economies and socio-economic status.

Many people, as well as governments, consider healthcare access a fundamental human right. Those without quality healthcare have a lower quality of life and a shorter life expectancy than those with a stable, accessible, and affordable healthcare system. People living in health care systems that are efficient and effective typically live longer than people in healthcare systems that are lagging.

It is fairly easy to identify a top-notch healthcare system. Unfortunately, a complete ranking of countries’ healthcare systems that compares best to worst is impossible. There is much debate about what the perfect system looks like and the most important areas in the systems in play. However, healthcare is vitally important, so organizations focused on health continue to seek that elusive best system.

Here are five noteworthy medical systems in the world:

• South Korea
• Taiwan 
• Denmark
• Austria
• Japan

You cannot compare health care systems on a perfect scale, so one cannot specify the best. In addition, there are several different criteria by which systems are evaluated, so the answer varies depending on who you ask.

Nonetheless, you can identify some trends by comparing the various data sets.

Recent reports indicate, for instance, that northern European countries tend to do well. Northern Europe is working hard to keep its people healthy, whether Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, or a neighbor. South Korea, Japan, and Singapore also make an appearance, representing the countries of East Asia.

The United States is absent from nearly every list, and this is difficult to overlook. Despite having high-quality doctors and facilities, the United States continues to fall behind other countries with universal health coverage due to higher costs and lower care availability.

The medical system in Canada is all shades of beautiful. For Canadian citizens and residents, they are one of the luckiest sets of people in the world. What could be better than living in a country where the government puts the health of everyone first?

It would interest you to know that for the past 50 years and more, healthcare in Canada has been free and readily available to everyone. For those who want a private health practitioner and are ready to pay the fees, they can easily obtain these services.

Depending on the province, healthcare in Canada is free or comes at a reduced fee. And this is one of the reasons why it is one of the best medical system in North America. The medical system in Canada is booming as huge investments are made into the public and private sector.

Also, just like other countries in the world, the medical system is currently exploring health supplements and alternative medicine. If this is not in a private insurance plan, it could be quite expensive.

The average Canadian who does not have health benefits via an employer would have to forego some of the health services. Most seniors in Canada are reported to have a good health. And the life expectancy for men and women is 79 and 85 years old respectively.

Based on projections, the number of older medical staff who are retiring is more than those who are coming in. This is why the medical system in Canada is open to health professionals around the world who intend to migrate.  

Canadian doctors are among the best breed in the world. Anyone who studies medicine in Canada is usually a force to reckon with in any part of the world. This assures you that if you are in Canada, your health is in safe hands because there are professionals there to handle you properly.

Since the inception of Canada’s Healthcare system in 1967, it has been a huge success. Currently, Canada is among the top ten countries in the world with a superb healthcare system. Most of the health services are free to Canadians, and residents who are there in the long-term.

Below are some of the benefits of Canada’s Healthcare

Availability to everyone

As far as you are in Canada, you have unlimited access to healthcare. Unlike other countries, there are no bureaucracies when it comes to receiving healthcare.

Citizens and residents have equal access to healthcare and they will only have to spend on regular prescription drugs, dental care and few other services.

Presence of Health Education Programs

Canada cares so much about the health of its citizens and residents and this is why the Government organizes regular health education programs.

The essence of these education programs is to increase awareness, so that everyone will take proactive measures towards their health.

Health education programs encourage citizens to always check in with their doctor anytime they exhibit any symptom. Now, health education programs are funded by the government and they ensure everyone is educated in this aspect.

Care for special needs

It is interesting to note that Canadian healthcare system takes distinct consideration for the disabled, elderly, the children and the orphans. The healthcare system was designed to care for these special needs because this category of people might not be able to care for themselves.

Canadian health insurance is also called the Canada Medicare. This is a public health insurance where Canadian residents and citizens receive medical services via medicare. The medicare is paid via taxes and when you use medical care, there is no cost.

If you are thinking of migrating to another country, Canada is one of the best countries to consider. The healthcare is something to live for owing to the fact that the Government puts the health of its citizens and residents first.  

One of the best things that can happen to a nation, is the availability of a profound medical system, and this is one of the features which Canada comes with.

The medical system in Canada is no ordinary one, as it is famous for being one of the best in the world; a force to reckon with.

In Canada, the cost of healthcare is either for a minimal fee, or it goes for free, and this depends on the instructions of the province.

The medical system in Canada is socialized, and it has been accessible to all its residents for a good number of years. In Canada, there is no discrimination when it comes to the accessibility of healthcare.

Therefore, even if you are a citizen or not, you have equal rights to receive quality healthcare from the medical system in Canada.

It is also interesting to note that, Canada has one of the best breed of medical doctors in the world. These individuals can match up, and even perform better than most doctors in other countries.

If you go to Canada to study medicine or any medical-related course, you are welcome to work there. As a matter of fact, they would be accepted anywhere in the world, because of the quality of service they render.

The medical system in Canada is one which is currently blossoming, as there are investments which are being made both in the public and private sector. Canada is a place where there is an ever-growing room for exploration.

New medical trends and innovations pop-up in Canada on a regular basis, and her medical system serves as a model for other medical systems all over the world.

One of the merits of the medical system in Canada which cannot be ignored, is the affordability. It is scarce for you to see a top-notch medical system which offers proficient healthcare services at an affordable cost.

This is one of the reasons why people from all over the world come down to Canada to receive quality care.

It is also one of the reasons why some people would prefer to relocate permanently to Canada, so that they can have first-hand medical treatment.

THE ADVANCEMENT OF HEALTHCARE IN JAPAN

When it comes to innovation and technology, Japan is a country which is at the vanguard. They are far ahead of a good number of countries in the aforementioned aspects. Hardly would you see any home in Japan which does not have top-notch automated systems with computerized systems as well. The same can also be said about the state of healthcare in Japan.

Japan happens to be a country where the natality rate- the rate of childbearing, is on the decrease, and with the population, there has always been a strong motivation tending towards ensuring that there is a good overall state of health and wellness for all citizens.

However, one factor which poses a threat, is the safety of food eaten, and this is as a result of the technological advancement. Food safety is a huge cause for concern because of nuclear radiation and ignorance of the various food warnings. People still feel it is more convenient to eat products which are already prepared, without knowing that there are certain health hazards which are attached to it.

With this hazard in view and even more, Japan still remains a country which is reputable when it comes to healthcare. Basically, the healthcare system in Japan caters for the insured amongst others. Around 30 percent of the healthcare costs incurred, are taken care of by rich citizens and residents, while the remaining percent is catered for by the government.

In Japan, every demographic area are recipients of the healthcare provision, and this allows everyone the access to quality healthcare. As a matter of fact, Japanese pride the state of their healthcare system, and even presents it as a model to other nations of the world.

The health industry in Japan is far advanced and well respected. The healthcare workers in Japan such as the Doctors, Nurses and the likes, have been trained in top-notch medical schools. Hence, you can expect that they would integrate that same quality into their practice.

For those who are looking for where they can receive quality healthcare, Japan is one place where they can look. The doctors are among the best breed in the world, and you can be sure that irrespective of the procedure, they can handle it.

Accidents happen. While travelling, tourists can become sick or injured. People might need medical treatment in a foreign country. And with an increasing number of people travelling abroad for medical procedures, we are beginning to see a change in the way medical information is stored and exchanged.

In the past, the onus of medical record keeping often fell to the patient. When consulting a specialist, or changing doctors, the patient needed to obtain and bring along copies of their medical records. In many areas, or when travelling abroad for a medical procedures, patients are still required to provide and manage their own medical records to ensure their healthcare professionals are all up-to-date. Or in the event of illness, accident or injury when travelling, the patient may not have access to their medical records – or can only obtain them through lengthy procedures requiring authorizations that the patient may not be physically able to provide due to the nature of their injury.

With the advances in technology and digital record-keeping, more and more doctors have migrated to a Health Information Exchange (HIE) which allows the electronic movement of patient information between different organizations.

Records can be accessed by health professionals community-wide, within a specific hospital network or even – as in the province of Ontario – across an entire region. This allows for more timely access to clinical information, and leads to more efficient and effective patient-care. Organizations, sometimes supported directly by government offices, are emerging that focus on creating HIEs nationwide and even worldwide.

Once HIEs are implemented on a planetary scale, medical tourists will no longer need to provide their specialist with a paper copy of their medical records; any medical professional with the necessary credentials could potentially access the relevant information. Further, they would not need to bring back records of the procedures and medications received abroad.

Organizations like Health Level Seven (HL7) International are dedicated to building a framework that will standardize and regulate the exchange, integration, sharing and retrieval of electronic health information; they aim to support clinical practices and better the management, delivery and evaluation of health services.

Over time, we will be able to establish a super-directory of medical records so that information can be shared across international border in a timely manner. This will also prevent important details from being lost in translation as any follow-ups or verifications can be handled at a moment’s notice. The future of medical record keeping will be patient-friendly and ensure that their medical professionals can offer the best care with the most precision and the shortest delays.

Canadians travel to every corner of the planet – we are avid tourists, explorers and connoisseurs of the delights of foreign travel. And sometimes, we may access medical care while travelling; this might be due to a medical emergency such as illness or injury, but there is an increasing trend toward medical tourism, also known as medical travel or health tourism.

A medical tourist visits another country in order to receive medical care that is either unavailable or for which there may be an extended wait in their region. The Canadian government suggests steps to take for anyone contemplating a trip abroad for medical reasons: first, discuss your medical care plans with your Canadian healthcare provider before leaving and follow up when you return; ensure that your health insurance covers medical procedures in other countries; verify the risks, if any, of airline travel after your chosen procedure, and bring back copies of any medical records, including the procedure you underwent, medications you received, and the results of any medical tests. It is vitally important that you be informed about the source of any tissues or organs if you undergo a transplant abroad. Also, you should consult a health care provider upon your return to Canada if you suffer from chronic illness, were treated for malaria while travelling, or experience any other illness such as fever, jaundice, skin disorders, urinary or genital infections, vomiting, or persistent diarrhea.

Many people are travelling between Canada and Japan as medical tourists; both countries offer excellent medical care with particular areas of expertise. While the Japanese are known for innovative medical technology and rigorous study, Canadian schools of medicine offer training in some of the most advanced forms of medical care available worldwide. Specialized travel insurance policies allow foreign patients to travel to Tokyo or any other large Japanese city with major medical facilities to undergo specialty testing, procedures and medical treatments such as surgeries, biopsies and transplants.

While the wealthy and powerful have, for years, travelled the globe for the best and most innovative medical care, increasing globalization and reduced-cost travel options have made medical tourism a possibility for the average Canadian. And it is a very lucrative industry; in some countries the medical industry is the largest source of income, and opening it to foreign patients allow them to multiply their revenue.

Promoting foreign exchange, the global economy, and good diplomatic relations in addition to providing quality healthcare, for many, medical tourism is truly the way of the future.

A recent study by the Fraser Institute compared the Canadian healthcare system to 27 other universal healthcare programs worldwide; its co-author, Bacchus Barua, stated that though Canadians spend a lot for the universal healthcare system, it compares poorly to that of other countries as it “generally has fewer resources, a mixed record on the quality of care patients receive, and remarkably long wait times.”

Ontario’s Health Minister, Dr. Eric Hoskins, considers their system among the best in the world, and a 2015 Conference Board of Canada report ranks it 7th best in the world – placing it ahead of Japan, Germany, the UK and the US. Canada’s system is the 3rd most expensive on the planet, and yet ranked only 24th for the availability of physicians and 15th for that of nurses. We had the least amount of acute care beds of all 28 countries examined, and our quantity of psychiatric care beds falls far below Japan (ranking 25th and 1st, respectively). Japan also had the most MRIs and CT units, while Canada ranked below the average in 18th place.

The Legatum Institute, based in London, prepares an annual global Prosperity Index every November; one of the nine sub-indices ranks the health of each country’s population. They use 3 key components: the country’s basic mental and physical health, the health infrastructure, and the availability of preventative care. From the 5th spot in 2016, Canada dropped to 24th in 2017 while Japan rose from 22nd in 2016 to 4th in 2017.

Nadeem Esmail, a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute wrote in 2013 that Japan outperformed Canada on five of eight measures of healthcare performance, while Canada led Japan on only one of the eight measures. He suggests that Canadians could learn much from the Japanese health care system – though emulating their approach would require substantial reform of our own, including a shift away from tax-funded government insurance.

The Japanese Health care model includes cost sharing for all forms of medical services as well as activity-based funding for hospital care and a system of statutory independent insurers that provide universal services to their clientele on a primarily premium-funded basis, which is commonly known as a social insurance system. Japan permits privately funded parallel health care and the provision of acute care hospital and surgical clinic services is largely private. As per Barua’s report, there may currently be an imbalance between the high cost of the Canadian healthcare system and the value received by its users and their access to resources. Clearly, it may be time to update the decades-old Canadian Universal Healthcare system.

In one of the world’s largest developed countries, free healthcare has been readily available to the entire population for 50 years – and for those with private supplemental health insurance, or who are willing to pay private practitioners, services can be obtained quickly and easily. However, as the cost of healthcare increases, we will begin to see a shift in private health insurance – which covers all “non-essential” treatments such as dental, residential addiction treatment, vision and chiropractic care as well as prescription drug costs.

The Canadian healthcare industry is currently booming, as substantial investments are being made privately and in the public sector. Additionally, as in other parts of the world, more people are turning to alternative medicines and health supplements, which can be quite costly if not included in a private health insurance plan – plans which are, themselves, sometimes cost prohibitive for the average Canadian who doesn’t have health benefits through an employer, leading people to forego some health services altogether.

Also, the population is shifting: while the percentage of people over age 65 is growing quickly, that of people under 14 is decreasing as Canadians choose to have fewer children. Therefore, though most seniors are in good health with a life expectancy of 79 for men and 85 years for women, we are seeing an increased need for senior healthcare services. Further, as more and more medical professionals are retiring, and fewer young people are stepping into their positions, we will soon see a shortage in available healthcare personnel.

And while there will always be users of the traditional healthcare system, there is a rise in “self-diagnoses” using online tools, and “self-prescriptions” of alternative care, or fad diets to improve overall health. Some, like the rise in veganism and the juicing trend, can – if not followed properly – actually cause gaps in nutrition or excesses in sugar intake.

Canadians’ schedules are fuller than they have ever been, and we’re increasingly looking for the quick fix – and with today’s online solutions, a rise in the numbers and visibility of diet and exercises gurus are making that possible. Why spend 45-60 minutes getting exercise when a 7-minute Crossfit circuit can target the whole body more quickly and efficiently? Why prepare a meal when you can drink a green smoothie or protein shake? While natural healthcare is an admirable choice, we haven’t had enough exposure to study the long-term effects it may have on an individual’s overall health even when done right, let alone followed sporadically by internet enthusiasts.