Canadians generally happy with our healthcare system

An international survey reveals that Canadians, compared to residents of other countries, are generally happy with our health care system.

The Deloitte survey, conducted in April and May of this year, queried 15,735 health care consumers in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK, and the U.S. with regards to their attitudes about their health-care systems.

When asked to grade the overall performance of their medical system, most Canadians, 50 per cent, gave a score of "A" (excellent) or "B" very good.

Systems in Luxembourg (69 per cent), Belgium (57 per cent), Switzerland (52 per cent), France (51 per cent), also earned an "A" or "B" score. Conversely, 57 per cent of consumers in Brazil, 44 per cent in Mexico, 37 per cent in the U.S. and 33 per cent of consumers in Portugal give their health care system's performance a failing grade.

The study also charted the health care expenditures, as a percentage of GDP, of each of the 12 countries researched. Canadians, the report notes, spends 10.4 per cent of their GDP on health care compared to China at 4.7 per cent and the United States at 17.6 per cent.

Here are some of the other Canadian findings from the study:

• 35 per cent of Canadians feel that 50 per cent or more of the total money spent on health care is wasted.

• 77 per cent of Canadians go for annual medical check-ups.

• Only 2 per cent of Canadians traveled outside their country to consult with a doctor, undergo a medical test or procedure, or receive treatment in the past year

• 39 per cent of Canadians feel financially well-prepared for future health care costs compared to only 23 per cent in the United States.

• 63% favour some kind of tax-based incentive to encourage more healthy diets and lifestyles.