Here's an overview of a key health article from CBC Radio on lessons Canada can learn from Denmark and the Netherlands regarding primary care:
Access to Primary Care in Denmark and the Netherlands:
Denmark and the Netherlands have developed systems that ensure nearly the entire population has access to primary care providers. This contrasts with Canada, where a significant portion of the population struggles to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner, resulting in long waits for appointments.
Key Features of the Danish and Dutch Systems:
Assigned General Practitioners (GPs): In Denmark, citizens are assigned a GP whose information is included on a national card, simplifying access to healthcare. This system is considered customer-oriented and helps avoid the cumbersome task of finding a doctor.
Timely Access and Flexibility: Danish GPs reserve time each day for acute cases, and appointments for other issues are typically available within five days. Similarly, the Netherlands offers prompt appointments, with 54% of surveyed citizens able to secure a same- or next-day appointment, compared to only 26% in Canada.
Team-Based Care Models: Both countries emphasize multi-disciplinary primary care teams, which can include physicians, nurses, and specialized healthcare workers. This approach enables comprehensive management of different health issues and conditions without overburdening individual doctors.
- After-Hours Care and Triage Systems: The Netherlands provides after-hours care through sophisticated triage systems that offer virtual consultations and, if necessary, in-person visits. This reduces unnecessary ER visits and ensures patients receive appropriate care promptly.
Potential Lessons for Canada:
Enhancing Access and Coordination: Introducing similar GP assignment systems and improving the efficiency of connecting patients with care providers could significantly reduce waiting times and the burden on emergency services.
Expanding Team-Based Models: Implementing and expanding team-based care across Canada could improve patient outcomes and manage healthcare providers' workloads better. This model could address routine care and stable chronic conditions effectively.
Improving After-Hours Services: Canada could benefit from adopting more integrated after-hours care and triage systems similar to those in the Netherlands to provide continuous, accessible healthcare while reducing the strain on emergency services.
Denmark and the Netherlands demonstrate that a well-organized, team-based approach to primary care is achievable and beneficial, offering valuable insights for improving Canada's primary healthcare system.