The benefits of Canada’s Healthcare

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.  

MEDICAL SYSTEM IN CANADA

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

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.

International Exchange of Medical Information

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.

What is Medical Tourism?

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.

Comparing the Japaneses and Canadian Healthcare Systems

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.

Health Trends in Canada

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.

Health Trends in Japan

Japan prides itself on being at the forefront of technology and innovation. They have streamlined homes with integrated storage and automated systems, computerized public toilets, and their health trends are no less advanced. As Japan is an ageing society, with a declining birth rates, the ageing population has led to a strong nationwide drive toward overall health and wellness. For the past 3 decades, Japan has hosted an annual Health Industry Show where more than 500 exhibitors will be divided into 5 zones: Health Food & Supplements, Health Equipment & Health Care, Beauty & Aging Care, Sports Conditioning, and Organic & Natural Products.

Though food safety is a concern due to nuclear radiation and a proliferation of tainted food warnings worldwide, there is a growing need for ready-to-eat products and more convenient meals. In single-person and elderly households, there is a need for individual food products that allow personalization. As such, the Japanese diet has greatly diversified and the population seem increasingly willing to try new products.

Japanese companies are focussing more now on the business of Inner Beauty – selling ever-increasing amounts of natural health products and supplements such as healthy drinks; as a result, the average Japanese life expectancy has increased to 72.14 years for men and 74.79 for women. Changes in food regulations over the past year and the more relaxed Food with Functions Claims have increased the potential to market foods with health benefits – and not just allergen-friendly or organic foods – one cooking oil is advertised as contributing to lower cholesterol levels.

A recent trend toward warming the body from the inside has developed as more than 80% of Japanese women are concerned about their sensitivity to cold. Many forms of thermotherapy have come to light, such as Onkatsu (using food and drink to warm the body from the inside out), Onnetsu (using physical stimulation from far infrared to warm up the body and helps blood circulation), and Onyoku (hot baths); the physiological benefits of Heat Shock Protein (HSP) are drawing the attention of Japanese health experts. HSP is believed to increase the level of protein in the body, help repair injured cells, and even control the production of lactic acid.

As pollution and smog levels continue to rise, health accessories such as air and water purifiers remain trendy, as do state-of-the-art sports conditioning equipment like specialized athletic wear, training equipment, and sports nutrition. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for healthcare in Japan.

Medical Tourism between Canada and Japan

Canada Japan medical tourismA great many people travel back and forth between Canada and Japan in pursuit of medical tourism. Medical tourism is the act of traveling to another country or region to receive a type of medical care that wasn’t available in their place of origin. Canada and Japan are both countries with reputations for having excellent medical care. Canadian schools of medicine train their medical professionals in some of the most advanced forms of medical care that are available in the modern world. Japanese schools of medicine are known for their innovative medical technology and their rigorous courses of study. Both countries offer significant benefits in medical treatment.

The trend of medical tourism is an important one to global society. It makes a true global marketplace out of the medical field and neutralizes borders, allowing people to travel between countries for beneficial reasons. They receive the healthcare they need while the country providing the healthcare receives useful revenue. It paves a way for countries to exchange information on medical practices and cooperate with one another to turn their healthcare industries into a global marketplace.

People often travel back and forth between Japan and Canada for the purpose of benefiting from both country’s medical systems. Both countries have different specialties and areas of expertise. Both are world renowned for what they do best. Canadians are fortunate to live under the socialized medical system that they have, and the Japanese are taken care of well in that they only have to pay for 30-percent of their medical costs. Both country’s systems try to extend affordable healthcare to their citizens and residents. In other countries, someone may have to pay a significant fee to see a doctor with as much expertise as a Canadian or Japanese doctor have.

Canadian Healthcare

healthcare in CanadaThe healthcare in Canada is known far and wide for being accessible and of high quality. Canadian healthcare is either free or for a minimal fee, depending on the rules of the province. Canada has provided socialized medicine to its residents and citizens for many years, and is known as being the best run medical system in North America. When the United States converted its medical system to Obamacare and made healthcare more socialized, it was largely modeling its new system on the Canadian system. Canadian healthcare even comes with a zero dollar premium for low income individuals. Regardless of age, income, status or any other demographic qualifier, Canadian healthcare serves its residents and citizens with total healthcare coverage.

Canadian doctors are known as some of the best in the world. Doctors who study in Canada are welcome anywhere in the world for employment. One negative side of the Canadian healthcare system is that it has a hard time retaining its best doctors. Socialized healthcare pays socialized income to doctors, which is much less impressive than the privatized medical salaries in the United States and other countries where healthcare is more privatized. This makes the doctor to patient ratio somewhat strained. However, the doctors who do represent Canadian medical practices are of the best caliber and have a worldwide reputation for accuracy and knowledge. This applies to Canada’s mental health care provisions as well, which are not always covered by socialized insurance, but which are made as accessible as possible to the people.

The Canadian healthcare system is not perfect. Some people criticize it for modeling some of its practices after the privatized system of the United States. For example, a variety of specialized health insurance policies are available to Canadians which gives them access to healthcare services that are not included in their provincial healthcare, some of which are arguably quite necessary. This is an impetus for people to invest heavily into private insurance instead of solely relying on their government provided healthcare. While some criticize this measure, others, who are fans of capitalism, praise this initiative.