Re: Reasons For Returning
 

Just writing what I have heard.....as part of a discussion....????

In other words you have no evidence that walk-in clinics oversubscribe drugs more often than designated GPs do. I do not believe that the oversubscription of drugs is unique to Canada. It goes on in many other countries, including the UK.

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

And did I state that it is exclusive to Canada, NO. Of course it probably goes on everywhere but the problem here is finding a bloody doctor to be your regular GP. It took forever and I only got one as we began our family. The situations is pretty bad and doesn't seem to be getting better. No system is perfect...be it here or the UK. And again, this is my experience and others of walk ins here. You go out iwth an arm load of antibiotics. Expensive and not healthy in the most part.

And I'll say again, outstanding dentistry here...that pees all over the UK in IMO!!

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

Much as I hate to interrupt the whining (believe me, I get not loving where you live) there is too much stuff being said that is just not true.

I can see my dr or a dr in her clinic within a few days of phoning. I no longer go to walk in clinics. If you have an emergency, you can call a number and they will come to you.

There is a NP (nurse practitioner) who prescibes meds working in the office. Yes, right here in BC.

As for overprescribing, I have never come across this??? Wut??? But I would gently suggest that people who live in rural locations shouldn't be surprised if they don't have a lot of choice in medical care. Not many doctors want to live in small towns. It amazes me that people complain about that...there simply isn't the population base to create better services. What did you expect?? :confused: All I know is I see doctors open for patients on my BUS ROUTE in the morning... so there are clearly spaces out there. And I'm getting tired of hearing "my experience of some tiny cousin-intermmarrying town in darkest Van Island = the whole of canada" :rolleyes:

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

"Apparantly" being internet code for "I heard somewhere but cant be arsed to check my facts or quote any reliable source"

Are there any stats to back up this rumour other than anecdotal evidence from the frothing loons on that other website thats that comes up ***s here?

Yes, there will be some professionals driving cabs waiting for credentials to be accredited or who fell foul of the fact that the CMA does not create enough intern places for non canadian grads, but seriously, would you have much faith in a doctor who didnt even have the sense to look into the basic requirements of getting a job here before deciding to head to Canada?

Facts, lets deal in facts and leave the ranting to the people at notcanada.com

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

WORD!! :thumbup:

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

Very well said !

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

I never refer to it being the WHOLE of bloody Canada. I always state my experiences are on the island and of BC. I recognise that Canada is extrelemy diverse and the nature of its provincial and municipal politics means it is more diverse than I could ever imagine! And I don't live in a teeny weeny rural area, I live in a bloody town of 5000 and growing and 2 mins away from another town of 20000. You assume I live in a rural area. Can I assume you've never been here and think we all live ina bloody field screwing each others cousin. Ah yes...that is indeed what you assume!

I personally have been to see the doc and 95% of the time walk out with antibiotics or have to refuse them. Maybe this isn't the case for others. It's a bloody impression and I NEVER claimed it was fact! It used to be like this in Britain..go to see the doc and come out with antibiotics but I THINK (and only think) it has got better

And the fact that you can call up your doctor and have an appointment in moments is great. That's your experience but mine is different. It's all our own personal experience and opinion. I won't SLAM you for it but say you're a lucky bugger!

And I am yet to hear of any incest stories but I wouldn't dare to suggest that happens as that's just here say is it not and who would ever dare do that on here!!!????

Province's doctor shortage reaching crisis proportions

Up to 200,000 British Columbian's don't have regular access to a family doctor, the president of the B.C. Medical Association said yesterday. Dr. Geoff Appleton, a family physician in Terrace, said doctor shortages have become a way of life in B.C.

By The Vancouver ProvinceJanuary 10, 2008

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

Please have a read! Articles supporting my outlandish comments, rumour and here say.....(I'm sure you'll find some to counter these if you look hard enough) but it doesn't take a great deal of effort to find material on this subject. Anyway, I have come out of my lazy, sloth like state and bothered to read on the subject...not in too much depth but here are just a couple of articles.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/...s-foreign.html

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/st...8-07290c3a4514

And for me.....it took almost 18 months of paper gathering from the UK and sitting exams for me to become a teacher in BC. Thank goodness I was married to a Canadian who could support me and I worked as a waitress for a number of months to supplement my income, without complaint I hasten to add! No one can anticipate how long it takes and you can't do the process from outside the country therefore it's very difficult for people to manage financially AND the exams are HUGELY expensive. It cost me $1500 to do 2 courses!

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

Yes, but you post as if your impressions ARE fact. Hence, my comments.

I would call 5000 a small town and 20,000 a very small city. That doctors are not overly keen on moving to such places is not news. I know you know that I know (HA!) how huge and thinly populated BC can be in places...even on Van Is, you don't necessarily have access to the services that you might have in a country with a smaller size and a much bigger population. I mean, Van Island is a the size of the UK, isn't? Only with a tiny proportion of the population? If the Uk had a population Van Is size, doncha think there'd be a lot less choice and services? Huh?



Checked your links. I noticed you left out this:

In 2008, the licensing body issued more licenses than ever, said spokeswoman Kathryn Clarke, and 43.4 per cent of those went to international medical graduates.

And for the fifth year in a row, the number of foreign doctors receiving licences surpassed the number of Ontario graduates, Cooke said.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/...#ixzz0ehBsOXXb

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

I'm no fan of the BCTF, but surely you knew about this before you came over.

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

So there are (allegedly) 7000 IMGs, over a non specified period, out of an annual immigration intake to Canada of 250000 immigrants (of which about 60%, 150000 are economic migrants)

Thats a long way from "You could get a taxi and chances are the guy driving it will be a fully trained doctor from somewhere! Apparently Toronto is full to the brim of them." (given that there are 10000 taxi drivers in TO)

I'm not sure the articles say much more than what I was saying, that it takes time to license, that anyone coming here should know the issues in advance, and that some people get stuck in limbo.

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

ANYWAY, least I be tarred as a rose-coloured glasses wearing canadianloving fanatic, I certainly don't think BC is perfect or for everyone. I kinda found myself here by accident (the plan was to go back to Europe) and it grew on me, but it doesn't mean I'm blind to its faults. Of which there are many. Like anywhere.

I hope you get home soon, lilly. It sounds like you are miserable here and that's no good for anybody. I went through that in Melbourne, Australia -Australia was not my cup of tea at all. I just hope time gives you some perspective. :thumbup:

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

No, I didn't because I didn't come here to stay...... It was a feeble attempt at a round the world trip! I was here for a holiday and met my husband who convinced me to stay and it has been interesting and I've experienced stuff that I'd never have done in the UK. Now we're going back but I have no problem with here.....just time to go home. More work opportunities for both of us, better work conditions in the short and the long term, family, friends....the usual.

And yes, that's my point everywhere has its pluses and minuses...just depends what you want.

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YEH, YEH, YEH....I take it all back. Forgive me pleeeeaaase.....

Re: Reasons For Returning
 

It's great back here lily...all the best;)