NRG Research Group Poll: 54% of Canadians say health system not serving the needs of patients; 22% see system in crisis
- VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, February 08, 2007 - A new national poll by NRG Research Group indicates that a slight majority of Canadians (54%) see the health system in their province as in need of either significant or radical change. Overall, 32% of poll respondents said that the system "Is not consistently serving the needs of patients and needs significant change"; an additional 22% said that "The system is in crisis and needs radical change."
Women are more likely than men to see the need for radical change (Women=25%; Men=19%). Canadians aged 35 and older are more likely to advocate radical change than younger Canadians aged 18 to 34 (35 and older=25%; 18 to 34=15%).
"While there were differences in views based on region and demographics, residents across provinces are more similar than different when it comes to evaluating their health systems." said Dr. Adam Di Paula, Senior Vice President at NRG Research Group. "Across Canada only 44 percent of respondents evaluated their health system as serving the needs of patients well, and no region exceeded 50 percent. I don"t think anyone would be satisfied with that level of performance" added Dr. Di Paula.
While many Canadians see the need for significant changes to the health system, they remain divided on the role that private insurance should play in the system. When asked, "Do you support or oppose allowing Canadians to purchase health insurance that would give them quicker access to health services that are currently funded under the public medicare system?" 54% of respondents said yes, while 41% said no. Manitoba/Saskatchewan and Quebec respondents were most likely to support allowing the purchase of insurance for quicker access (67% support), while Ontario respondents were most likely to oppose it (50% oppose).
About the Ask Canada Survey
Results are based on a telephone survey among a random sample of 1,203 Canadian residents, 18 and older, surveyed between January 30 and February 1 as part of NRG"s national omnibus - Ask Canada. The margin of error based on this sample size is +/- 2.8%, 19 times out of 20.
08.02.2007 - 9:01 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 340 X
