Singapore a 'medical' hub? Not so

[redbull313]

Open Medicine, Vol 1, No 2 (2007)

What prosperous, highly educated Americans living in Canada think of the Canadian and US health care systems

Steven Lewis, Danielle A Southern, Colleen J Maxwell, James A Dunn, Tom W Noseworthy, William A Ghali


Abstract

Background: There are no reported head-to-head comparative assessments of health care in any two countries by people who have experienced both. We sought to report the experiences and views of Americans living in Canada who have used both health care systems as adults.

Methods: We surveyed a sample of Americans living in Canada. We used 5 communication strategies to obtain the sample and asked respondents to provide experience-based ratings of various dimensions of health system quality.

Results: The survey was completed by 310 people who met the inclusion criteria. This group was highly educated (58% with a master's degree or higher) and prosperous (51% of households had a yearly income > $100,000). Seventy-four percent rated the overall quality of US health care as excellent or good, compared with 50% who gave this rating to Canadian health care. Most preferred the American system for emergency, specialist, hospital and diagnostic services. Respondents rated the Canadian system more highly for access to drug therapy and expressed similar views of the two systems with respect to care from a family physician. The features of the US system rated most positively were timeliness and quality; those rated most highly in the Canadian system were equity and cost-efficiency. The most negatively viewed features of the US system were cost/inefficiency and inequity; those of the Canadian system were wait times and personnel shortages. Although respondents generally rated the components of the US system more favourably than Canada's, when asked which system they preferred overall, 45% chose the US system and 40% chose Canada's.

Conclusion: Americans living in Canada generally rated the US health care system as being better than the Canadian system. However, they acknowledged the inefficiency and inequity of the US system, and nearly half preferred the Canadian system despite its perceived problems.

Poor little joshie boy

You cant win you know especially when you find out how much it costs for my Aetna PPO which is paid for by the company. So many hundreds of millions of people recieve just awesome red carpet health care. Ah this is the life.

Now now, I know my red carpet treatment and super amazing care is leaving you in tears but really, jealously will just get you nowhere

Just because you dont have what we have and we dont pay for it they way you do with your stupid taxes does not mean you can try to pretend you dont pay for it when you do.

Oh and by the way. I hope you enjoy paying all the socialism costs for all the old people too and the drunks on the street for that is Australia.

And thank god I am not there suffering what you have to.

 

[Satan]

You claim Singapore is not a medical hub. I find your comparison to be interesting as some work colleagues from New Zealand and Australia are constantly praising the current health resources in Singapore. In this case I have a few questions for you based on experience:.

All right. Since you want answers to your stupid questions, I'll arrempt to "answer" them ok?

1) In Australia/NZ can you kindly tell us how many weeks it take to book and see a specialist (Such as Ear Nose Throat ((ENT)) or ((Endocrinologist)) for example)

Answer: If you go by the public health system, maybe 1-2 months. If you have private insurance (which is not at all expensive), then 1-2 weeks.

2) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel to see a specialist that is not located in your primary residential area?

Answer: Depnds on where you stay. If you live in major cities, probably 10-12km. If you live in remote areas ,then it will be a little longer. In any case, in Oz/NZ most people own cars so no problem, unlike in Sinkapore, where car is a luxury and you have to squeeze in bus and mrt.

3) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel and how long you have to wait (in months) to see a specialist centre with specialized equipment not normally available in all areas?

Answer: Never came across this nor heard of this happening.

4) Can you please tell us your inpatient and outpatient costs and the times and circumstances to be admitted for inpatient and outpatient procedures or surgery?

Answer: If you go based on public system, free. If you go as a private patient, then you'd have to pay but your private insurance should cover most of it.

5) Can you please tell us if hospital cover is required for inpatient or outpatient and at which point the NZ/Australain government

Answer: What talking you? Catch no balls here.

6) Can you please tell us if most drugs normally classified as over the counter in Singapore is only available by prescription in Australia which would necessitate a visit to a Primary care physcian which can take weeks?

Answer: What are you talking about? Controlled drugs require prescription everywhere regardless of where you are , US, Oz, Nz, Sinkapore or whereever. Non controlled drugs could be bought over the counter. That's there everywhere. And a visit to primary care physician can take weeks? You can visit a physician anytime like you do in Sinkapore. Please, we are talking about Oz/NZ, 2 first world countries, not Zimbabwae or Congo ok?

7) Is it true that in cases where a prescription drug is prescribed by a specialist it can take more than a month to have a prescription written and in many cases patients simply "go without" medications due to the delay?

Answer: This is rubbish. You must be hallucinating.

8) Is it true that there is a chronic shortage of doctors and nurses in NZ/Australia and that health care costs are increasing and the health system resources are currently unable to cope with rising demand?

No. OZ/NZ will only take in quality doctors who will have to be recognized by Oz/NZ Medical councils and require to do conversion courses before they can practise. This is to protect the public, unlike Sinkapore where any Zhejiang from PRC, Abaya from Pinoyland or Muthu curry from keling land can easily come in and become a doctor.

9) Is it true that due to such demand certain surgeries such as "hip replacement" takes up to a year to complete while it can be done within one to two weeks in Singapore?

If you go by public health system, then the waiting period is up to a year because it is free. If you go in as a private patient and you are covered by insurance, then it is a lot faster. In any case, how much do you think a hip surgery in Sinkapore will cost?

10) Is it true that the standard and level of care in terms of respurces is not on par with Singapore?

Prove it, otherwise, don't talk cock. My answer to your Question 8 itself speaks tonnes.

I find your assertions to be amusing and totally not conclusive to my own experiences. Just this past week I accompanied a NZ work colleague to the Novena Medical Center who was absolutely impressed by the marble lined ultra modern setting plus the availablity of the ENT who was able to see him within two hours instead of two weeks in NZ. Additionally a endocrinologist was available two doors down to see his wife who is suffering from diabetes and according to her (an Australian native) to see an endocrinologist takes one month due to a shortage of doctors there. Both swore Singapore is very much advanced than either NZ or Australia

All right. Very simple. Since your Oz/ NZ colleagues can talk cock so much, ask them to give up their Oz/Nz citizenship and take up a pink IC lah.

My advise to you is, if you donch know much, donch talk cock!!!!

 

[Satan]

You are probably confused. I am certain they are comparing Singapore with the rest of the 3rd world region.

Don't you see bro that this moron knows fuck? He thinks that everyone is like him sitting in Sinkee land hallucinating. He doesn't know that there are people who have lived and worked in Oz & Nz and know a thing or 2.

 

[neddy]

All right. Since you want answers to your stupid questions, I'll arrempt to "answer" them ok?

My advise to you is, if you donch know much, donch talk cock!!!!

We recently had to send an air ambulance 2,594 km to Christmas Island and another 2,594 km back to its nearest tertiary hospital in Perth for those bashed-up asylum seekers.

The fact that this service is available to non-Australian residents in Australia's care speak volume of the accessiably & high level of human services we have here.

 

[scroobal]

Agree bro.

The Health factor is one of the key consideration for migration purposes and thats why it continues to draw people from UK and other countries.

The word is indeed hallucinating.

Don't you see bro that this moron knows fuck? He thinks that everyone is like him sitting in Sinkee land hallucinating. He doesn't know that there are people who have lived and worked in Oz & Nz and know a thing or 2.

 

[Ash007]

Eh I thought NHS in UK pretty much covers everything? Its one of those "socialised" medicine that has the American talking about as well?

Agree bro.

The Health factor is one of the key consideration for migration purposes and thats why it continues to draw people from UK and other countries.

The word is indeed hallucinating.

 

[londoncabby]

Poor little joshie boy

You cant win you know especially when you find out how much it costs for my Aetna PPO which is paid for by the company. So many hundreds of millions of people recieve just awesome red carpet health care. Ah this is the life.

Now now, I know my red carpet treatment and super amazing care is leaving you in tears but really, jealously will just get you nowhere

Just because you dont have what we have and we dont pay for it they way you do with your stupid taxes does not mean you can try to pretend you dont pay for it when you do.

Oh and by the way. I hope you enjoy paying all the socialism costs for all the old people too and the drunks on the street for that is Australia.

And thank god I am not there suffering what you have to.

Why do you need private health insurance that can cost alot of $$$$$ when you have 40% tax and hospital cover tax and other tax?

??????????

So far prefer canada singapore or usa system to oz system

 

[scroobal]

Yes, thats why they are prepared to move here for the open spaces, bigger houses with garages, weather etc. No loss in access to quality healthcare that is free which they enjoyed in the UK.

There were discussions in the 1990s to exclude new migrants from access to healthcare for period of time. This was quickly brushed aside when they realised that it will stop UK and Scandinavian migrants coming over. Only the new start allowance was impacted. Its an edge that they have over the US. The number of UK holders of greencard that gave it up without the UK is highest among all countries and the its the healthcard factor.

UK, OZ, NZ and the scandinavian countries also enjoy a reciprocal arrangement where your medicare card is valid there when you are visiting these countries.

Eh I thought NHS in UK pretty much covers everything? Its one of those "socialised" medicine that has the American talking about as well?

 

[neddy]

Eh I thought NHS in UK pretty much covers everything? Its one of those "socialised" medicine that has the American talking about as well?

The NHS has improved over the years.

When it was introduced in Britain, Americans crossed the Atlantic to have their babdies delivered.
Subsequently in the 80s, NHS fell into disrepair when the system was unable to cope with bureau redtape and cost escalation.



An American neocon defends the NHS
Carol Gould may belong to the American political Right, but witnessing how the NHS cared for her severely ill British friend gave her a new respect for "socialised" medicine.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/6048367/An-American-neocon-defends-the-NHS.html

 

[Ou812]

All right. Since you want answers to your stupid questions, I'll arrempt to "answer" them ok?

1) In Australia/NZ can you kindly tell us how many weeks it take to book and see a specialist (Such as Ear Nose Throat ((ENT)) or ((Endocrinologist)) for example)

Answer: If you go by the public health system, maybe 1-2 months. If you have private insurance (which is not at all expensive), then 1-2 weeks.

2) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel to see a specialist that is not located in your primary residential area?

Answer: Depnds on where you stay. If you live in major cities, probably 10-12km. If you live in remote areas ,then it will be a little longer. In any case, in Oz/NZ most people own cars so no problem, unlike in Sinkapore, where car is a luxury and you have to squeeze in bus and mrt.

3) Can you please tell us how far you have to travel and how long you have to wait (in months) to see a specialist centre with specialized equipment not normally available in all areas?

Answer: Never came across this nor heard of this happening.

4) Can you please tell us your inpatient and outpatient costs and the times and circumstances to be admitted for inpatient and outpatient procedures or surgery?

Answer: If you go based on public system, free. If you go as a private patient, then you'd have to pay but your private insurance should cover most of it.

5) Can you please tell us if hospital cover is required for inpatient or outpatient and at which point the NZ/Australain government

Answer: What talking you? Catch no balls here.

6) Can you please tell us if most drugs normally classified as over the counter in Singapore is only available by prescription in Australia which would necessitate a visit to a Primary care physcian which can take weeks?

Answer: What are you talking about? Controlled drugs require prescription everywhere regardless of where you are , US, Oz, Nz, Sinkapore or whereever. Non controlled drugs could be bought over the counter. That's there everywhere. And a visit to primary care physician can take weeks? You can visit a physician anytime like you do in Sinkapore. Please, we are talking about Oz/NZ, 2 first world countries, not Zimbabwae or Congo ok?

7) Is it true that in cases where a prescription drug is prescribed by a specialist it can take more than a month to have a prescription written and in many cases patients simply "go without" medications due to the delay?

Answer: This is rubbish. You must be hallucinating.

8) Is it true that there is a chronic shortage of doctors and nurses in NZ/Australia and that health care costs are increasing and the health system resources are currently unable to cope with rising demand?

No. OZ/NZ will only take in quality doctors who will have to be recognized by Oz/NZ Medical councils and require to do conversion courses before they can practise. This is to protect the public, unlike Sinkapore where any Zhejiang from PRC, Abaya from Pinoyland or Muthu curry from keling land can easily come in and become a doctor.

9) Is it true that due to such demand certain surgeries such as "hip replacement" takes up to a year to complete while it can be done within one to two weeks in Singapore?

If you go by public health system, then the waiting period is up to a year because it is free. If you go in as a private patient and you are covered by insurance, then it is a lot faster. In any case, how much do you think a hip surgery in Sinkapore will cost?

10) Is it true that the standard and level of care in terms of respurces is not on par with Singapore?

Prove it, otherwise, don't talk cock. My answer to your Question 8 itself speaks tonnes.

I find your assertions to be amusing and totally not conclusive to my own experiences. Just this past week I accompanied a NZ work colleague to the Novena Medical Center who was absolutely impressed by the marble lined ultra modern setting plus the availablity of the ENT who was able to see him within two hours instead of two weeks in NZ. Additionally a endocrinologist was available two doors down to see his wife who is suffering from diabetes and according to her (an Australian native) to see an endocrinologist takes one month due to a shortage of doctors there. Both swore Singapore is very much advanced than either NZ or Australia

All right. Very simple. Since your Oz/ NZ colleagues can talk cock so much, ask them to give up their Oz/Nz citizenship and take up a pink IC lah.

My advise to you is, if you donch know much, donch talk cock!!!!

You have failed to answer any of my questions. Particularly you have reinforced my experience that in NZ/Australia you cannot walk into a specialisits office with little to no prior notice. Even Primary Care is out of reach in Australia due to the extent of waiting is concerned, not to mention the reality even one to two week appointment can take hours even on the day of such appointment. Singaporeans wont tolerate this and Singapore just shows is myriad health choices trump those of NZ/Australia from the 18 GP to the 90 dollar Mount E Specialist. We have more resources and choices.

Notably the cost issue is a major detriment to Australia. With such high outgoings and out of pocket expenses it seems those in NZ/Australia pay much more as you are taxed for what you dont use and those who are in need consume. We dont have this problem in Singapore. You will not find such a system coupled with the need for supplementary policies like you have in NZ/Australia too

Also its troubling the lack of inpatient and outpatient resources. In Singapore we make little distinction and care is given quickly without the red tape or issues in NZ/Australia.

Given the choice its clear why so many NZ/Australians come to Singapore for medical reasons. And I will think 2X before I venture over for a holiday as the health system there is a mess.

 

[neddy]

You have failed to answer any of my questions.

.....

And I will think 2X before I venture over for a holiday as the health system there is a mess.

Is there a need to answer your question? I myself was mistaken when I assume Aussies went over to Singapore for health matters.

But I was wrong.

And I will think more than 2x before venturing into Singapore for medical. The (hardware) buildings look nice and clean, but the (software) Filipino nurses hide in storeroom to skyve or catch a much needed nap because they had too much partying during the off shift.


Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over in Australia, there is a more completed set of health facilities not opened to the average Singaporeans.

1. We have a free triage hotline where you can call 24/7 on health issues

2. There is a 3-hour max waiting time to see the doctors at the local A & E hospital, but there is a difference between elective and non-elective surgeries. You have to wait longer for non-elective surgeries, same if you are in Singapore. And in Singapore, if you pay a lot more or you are the connected to the party, you can get a quicker service.

3. When it comes to follow-up on chrontic health matters, there are allied healthcare providers to supplement the primacy healthcare. The Medicare scheme has additional components attached to the standard healthcare in the form of an Enhanced Medicare scheme as well as other schemes such as NDSS.

4. Alternative medicine is covered by private health funds. Remember the TV ads showing traditional chinese medicines and accupuncture being covered.

 

[redbull313]

You have failed to answer any of my questions. Particularly you have reinforced my experience that in NZ/Australia you cannot walk into a specialisits office with little to no prior notice. Even Primary Care is out of reach in Australia due to the extent of waiting is concerned, not to mention the reality even one to two week appointment can take hours even on the day of such appointment. Singaporeans wont tolerate this and Singapore just shows is myriad health choices trump those of NZ/Australia from the 18 GP to the 90 dollar Mount E Specialist. We have more resources and choices.

Notably the cost issue is a major detriment to Australia. With such high outgoings and out of pocket expenses it seems those in NZ/Australia pay much more as you are taxed for what you dont use and those who are in need consume. We dont have this problem in Singapore. You will not find such a system coupled with the need for supplementary policies like you have in NZ/Australia too

Also its troubling the lack of inpatient and outpatient resources. In Singapore we make little distinction and care is given quickly without the red tape or issues in NZ/Australia.

Given the choice its clear why so many NZ/Australians come to Singapore for medical reasons. And I will think 2X before I venture over for a holiday as the health system there is a mess.

Over here it depends on the doctor. If I call my doctor and say its urgent I can see them the same day in most cases if not we have urgent care that is walk in same as Singapore and its all covered by insurance. Specialists too for that matter but usually you have to call and I can see one within one day to a week so far. Oh dentists usually I call first but according to my wife the more popular the doc the more you have to wait so its relative. If you live in a metro area you got everyone near you in every speciality too. Inpatient and outpatient services can be done at most doc offices but the doc has to code it inpatient for the max benefit, same at the hospital.

 

[Satan]

You have failed to answer any of my questions. Particularly you have reinforced my experience that in NZ/Australia you cannot walk into a specialisits office with little to no prior notice. Even Primary Care is out of reach in Australia due to the extent of waiting is concerned, not to mention the reality even one to two week appointment can take hours even on the day of such appointment. Singaporeans wont tolerate this and Singapore just shows is myriad health choices trump those of NZ/Australia from the 18 GP to the 90 dollar Mount E Specialist. We have more resources and choices.

Notably the cost issue is a major detriment to Australia. With such high outgoings and out of pocket expenses it seems those in NZ/Australia pay much more as you are taxed for what you dont use and those who are in need consume. We dont have this problem in Singapore. You will not find such a system coupled with the need for supplementary policies like you have in NZ/Australia too

Also its troubling the lack of inpatient and outpatient resources. In Singapore we make little distinction and care is given quickly without the red tape or issues in NZ/Australia.

Given the choice its clear why so many NZ/Australians come to Singapore for medical reasons. And I will think 2X before I venture over for a holiday as the health system there is a mess.

Now, I have answered all your questions and yet you say that I haven't. And I have also told you about medicare and private insurance and yet you are saying healthcare in Oz/NZ is in a mess. You are just arguing that a horse is a dog. So why waste my time? If what you say is true, Oz/NZ must be hellholes, worst then probably Sierra Lone. In Oz/Nz, doctors can easily be dragged to court and sued their arses off if they do something wrong. How often have you heard of someone winning a legal case suing a doctor in Singapore? And just to point out, OZ & NZ cities have always been rated as the some of the best to live in the world. What ranking is Singapore?