According to a recent survey, a significant number of Ontarians are experiencing extended wait times for diagnostic tests and specialist appointments, leading to increased stress and potential health risks.
The survey conducted by Abacus Data and made public on Tuesday revealed that 33 percent of respondents had to wait more than six months to see a specialist or undergo a diagnostic test, while another 37 percent faced a waiting period of three to six months.
Ontario Health guidelines indicate that patients with non-emergency conditions should ideally wait between two to 28 days for a diagnostic scan, depending on their medical priority. However, the latest data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information highlights that diagnostic imaging wait times remain a pressing national issue, with delays persisting even post-COVID-19.
Funded by the Ontario College of Family Physicians, which represents over 18,000 family doctors and medical students, the Abacus poll calls for a streamlined system enabling family physicians to electronically manage patient referrals and prioritize cases based on urgency. This proposed modernized approach has received overwhelming support, with 95 percent of respondents favoring its implementation, a concept also endorsed by the Ontario Medical Association in 2023.
Conducted between November 20 and 27, the survey polled 1,500 Ontario residents. While the polling industry’s governing body, the Canadian Research Insights Council, cautions that online surveys lack a margin of error due to their non-random sampling methods, the results shed light on the pressing need for enhanced healthcare access and efficiency.