Tips for Canadians Seeking Better Healthcare
One of the greatest misconceptions many people have is that with social healthcare you don’t have any options. This is just not the case at all. Although Canada has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, many services aren’t covered and when they aren’t they can be quite a big expense. Also, you are not limited to where you shop for medications and medical devices. If you are seeking better healthcare, and healthcare that just might be more cost-effective, here are four tips to get you started.
1) Take an Active Role with Wearable Technology
Doctors and nurses can’t be everywhere. You only see them on routine visits and once in a while if you get sick with the flu or an infection of some sort, so what do you do in between visits? This question is especially pertinent when visits are rationed under Canadian healthcare. Whether you have a chronic condition that warrants constant monitoring or you just want to ascertain that your heart rate and glucose levels remain within a healthy range, there are wearables on the market that can help you take an active role in your own healthcare. After all, it is your health so you can be part of ensuring you get the best care!
2) Choose Your Pharmacy Wisely
Some people are simply disenchanted with their pharmacy. Do you know the number of times a patient was given two or more medications that shouldn’t be taken together? Who knows medications better than a pharmacist? If you are looking for a better pharmacy, one you can trust, look for Canadian pharmacies online and then check to see whether or not you feel your medications are safe in their hands. Some may have the ability to order online and others may be a local establishment only. Even so, it is important to trust your pharmacist so choose your pharmacy wisely.
3) Seek Alternative Treatments
The best treatment isn’t always a medical or pharmaceutical prescription. Sometimes alternative treatments make for better healthcare, so before taking new medications which could carry unwanted side effects, check out the availability of alternative medicine. Acupuncture is one of the most popular forms of alternative medical treatments and if you don’t want to take medications for joint pain, why not try a chiropractor? Yes, that is a doctor, but one that specializes in alternative treatments.
4) Healthcare Abroad
Many Canadians slide down south of the border to the United States for healthcare simply because it is a privatized industry there and doctors aren’t trying to meet government quotas in patients seen. Even their own version of social healthcare isn’t dictating how many patients a doctor must see because doctors aren’t part of a government payroll.
These are only four of the ways in which Canadians can find better healthcare if they are intent on it. Just be aware of the fact that many expenses that would be covered on your health insurance may not be covered when you seek alternative care. The only thing you can be assured of is that you have a vested interest in your health, so it is up to you to seek the best care possible.