{"id":28193,"date":"2023-06-26T12:41:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T12:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/?p=28193"},"modified":"2024-05-14T14:09:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T14:09:09","slug":"spine-surgery-waiting-list-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sciatica.com\/blog\/spine-surgery-waiting-list-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Conquering the Spinal Surgery Waitlist in Canada With Medical Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you’re dealing with a spine issue requiring treatment or surgery, the last thing you want is to be placed on an extensive waiting list. Unfortunately, Canada’s health care wait times make it difficult to receive medical services promptly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Medical tourism is an increasingly popular health care solution for this reason. Worldwide, 12 to 14 million people<\/a> travel abroad annually to receive medical treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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If you’re awaiting disc replacement surgery in Canada or another orthopedic treatment, medical tourism may be a viable option. The United States offers immediate treatment options for Canadians that need spine care. Learn about medical tourism and how it may benefit those seeking orthopedic services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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The Waitlist for Spinal Surgery in Canada<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Canada’s health care system faces significant challenges in treating orthopedic conditions efficiently. In 2022, Canada’s average wait time between a referral by a general practitioner to a consultation with an orthopedic specialist was 16 weeks<\/a>. From the orthopedic consultation appointment to receiving treatment, the average wait was 32.4 weeks<\/a> or 48 weeks total to be treated, not to mention the wait to see the general practitioner.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Canadians also face substantial wait times for diagnostic imaging<\/a> \u2014 4.9 weeks for ultrasounds, 5.4 weeks for computed tomography (CT) scans and 10.6 weeks for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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In 2019, a woman in Alberta expected a six-month wait<\/a> for scoliosis surgery but has been waiting for over two years. Across Canada’s 10 provinces, patients waited for 1,228,047 medical procedures in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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For Canadian patients with critical orthopedic needs, excessive delays aren’t always an option. The longer they go without receiving treatment, the more their quality of life declines. Additionally, many patients can’t afford to miss work for long durations while they navigate a complex health care system. In many cases, long waiting times can put their lives at risk.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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With the increasing wait times and cost of back surgery in Canada, residents experiencing orthopedic conditions in this country are considering alternative options.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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A Solution: Medical Tourism<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Medical tourism to the U.S. is about $5 billion<\/a> or 400,000 patients annually. If you’re seeking an orthopedic surgeon in Toronto or another part of Canada but battling excessive downtimes for treatment, traveling to the U.S. for spine care may be the right option for you. Learn more about medical tourism and its benefits:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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What Is Medical Tourism?<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Medical tourism is the act of traveling to another country to receive health care. People pursue medical tourism for numerous reasons, such as:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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