Across Canada, patients facing surgical delays and long wait lists for procedures like hip and knee replacements struggle with pain and reduced quality of life while waiting up to a year for consultation and another year for surgery in the public healthcare system. Some patients turn to private centers, spending savings on care. Measures are being taken to address the backlog, exacerbated by COVID-19 and issues like aging population and workforce shortages. Provinces are exploring centralized intake systems, increasing surgical capacity, and managing wait lists to improve access and reduce stress on patients. Collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers is seen as essential for finding innovative solutions to long surgical wait times.
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Long Surgical Wait Lists Lead to Delayed Care Across Canada
