‘Our healthcare system is overrun and struggling.’

‘There’s a shortage of doctors and hospital space across the country.’

‘I can’t find a family doctor for me and my family.’

‘My referral to a specialist is going to be months, if not years away.’

There is much to be appreciative for, living in Canada. But there is undoubtedly room for improvement. In 2023, our access to healthcare is one such area.

Stealing from the words of Dr. Peter Attia, MD, a healthcare system has 3 major attributes that we can apply changes to – quality, cost, and accessibility. These 3 levers impact each other – you cannot change one without affecting the other two. In Canada, we are known for our low costs, however this has led to the situation where accessibility has become a major concern for many, and this indirectly impacts the quality of care. Look no further than the country-wide shortage of family doctors to reveal the situation we now find ourselves in – people are paying for healthcare (through their taxes) that they are, in many cases, unable to access. Or at least not in a timely manner that is often needed.

Now I’m not here to discuss all that is wrong with our system, or what needs to be done about it. It is much too complex a topic that requires a thorough understanding of public health policy, economics, and a multitude of other factors. 

The point I am making is that our system is fragile, and with that fragility there lies a greater risk of slipping through the cracks. 

We saw this with Covid – doctors appointments were canceled for months, screening was delayed, diagnoses were missed. While the extent of this issue would appear to be dwindling with the apparent end of the pandemic, these issues will persist while there are those without access to regular check ups through a family physician. 

Those of you who wish to maintain the current good health you enjoy must start looking at other options. You must start to take greater responsibility for your well being, both now and into the future, especially now that we have seen what can happen to our system in the blink of an eye.

So what does that greater responsibility look like?

Well for starters, adopting the mindset that your health is in your hands is an important place to start. Part of the strain on the healthcare system is that it has become the norm to expect it to fix your problems, regardless of the decisions you make with your life. Maintaining an internal locus of control – the mindset that your health is largely in your own hands – is the first step to realizing a life of longevity.

The reality is that most of the health concerns you could face in the not-so-distant future are largely preventable – leading killers like Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented in most cases when your focus shifts from reactive medicine to preventative medicine. 

And not only is a focus on health prevention going to be good for you in the long run, it also helps our healthcare system. If each one of us can reduce our reliance on it, it suddenly becomes more accessible to everyone else. 

Sure, the cost of prevention may seem high, but not as a dollar value per se. The cost is choosing a life of self-betterment for the long run. It’s establishing daily habits that improve your mental and physical health, and this takes work. But the benefit to the healthcare system is 2-fold. You protect yourself, and you help others gain greater access.

If you’re in the growing group of people who want to make a change but aren’t sure where to start, whether it be because you have no family doctor, or you feel like you don’t have enough time with them, you have other options. Naturopathic Doctors, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Registered Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Nutritionists, and many other professions have numerous tools to help you make meaningful change to your long-term health. Start with someone in your community, ask your friends and family for recommendations, call clinics and ask what they offer. The first step is on you, but once you find someone you trust you will have someone in your corner. 

The problem – inaccessible healthcare -> the need to take matters into your own hands. While it’s hard, it’s good for your future self, and it’s helpful to the healthcare system. The best thing you can do to support our healthcare system, is put yourself in a position where you are unlikely to need it, so others have more access. 

If you don’t know where to start, find someone who can help you build a plan based around the long-term goals you have!