ONE THIRD OF CANADIANS (34%) INDICATE THAT THEY HAVE SWITCHED DOCTORS BECAUSE OF UNSATISFACTORY TREATMENT

ONE THIRD OF CANADIANS (34%) INDICATE THAT THEY HAVE SWITCHED DOCTORS BECAUSE OF UNSATISFACTORY TREATMENT

FOUR IN TEN CANADIANS (37%) SAY THEY HAVE CHALLENGED A DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS, WHILE ONE THIRD (33%) INDICATE THEY KNOW AS MUCH AS THE DOCTOR ABOUT SPECIFIC ILLNESSES

This Angus Reid Group poll was conducted on behalf of CTV, Chatelaine Magazine and the Medical Post. The results presented here are from a survey conducted in June 1998 consisting of 1501 telephone interviews with a representative cross-section of the adult Canadian public. The margin of error for a sample of this size is +2.5%, 19 times out of 20. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 1996 Census data.

The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

One third of Canadians (34%) note that they have switched doctors because they were dissatisfied with a treatment or service they had received. Further four in ten Canadians (37%) attest to having challenged a doctor on a specific diagnosis or form of treatment given to them by a doctor. In fact, one third of Canadians (33%) indicate that they know more about a specific health matter than the doctor does.

The following highlights are taken from a survey conducted in June 1998 with a representative cross-section of 1,501 Canadian adults. A sample of this size is said to have a corresponding margin of error of +2.5%.

One Third (34%) Have Switched Doctors because of Unsatisfactory Treatment

One third of Canadians (34%) claim that they have switched doctors because they were "unsatisfied with the treatment or service" they had received.

• Respondents from Atlantic Canada (27%) are less likely than Canadians from other regions to have switched doctors because they were dissatisfied with their treatment.
• Those over 55 years old (27%) are less likely than those who are in the other age groups (18-34, 38%; 35-54, 35%) to have switched doctors because of unsatisfactory service or treatment.
• Women (39%) are more likely than men (29%) to indicate that they have gone to a new doctor because of unsatisfactory treatment.

Challenging the Doctor's Diagnosis

Four in ten Canadians (37%) indicate that they have challenged a doctor's diagnosis or prescribed form of treatment.

• Quebecers (32%) are less likely than residents in other regions of Canada to challenge their doctor's diagnoses or treatment plans. Those between 35 and 54 years of age (43%) are more likely than other age groups (18-34, 37%; 55+, 28%) to challenge their doctors.
• Respondents who have a minimum of some university training (39%) are more likely than those who have less education (33%) to challenge a diagnosis or treatment.

One Third of Canadians Say they Know More about Specific Conditions

One third of Canadians (33%) indicate that they know "more about a specific health matter than the doctor does." Of those who felt that they knew more about a specific illness, 12% say they strongly believe this, while 21% are moderately convinced that they know more than their doctor does.

• Women (38%) are more likely than men (29%) to challenge their doctor's decisions.

For further information, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900