Seven in Ten Canadians Think That the Overall Quality of the Health Care System in Canada Will Be the Same (39%) or Worse (32%) in Ten Years

Ottawa, ON - A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the Canadian Medical Association shows that most Canadians expect little improvement with the health care system, as seven in ten say that the overall quality of the system will be the same (39%) or worse (32%) in ten years time.

Canadians also think that, in ten years time, the health care system will be more of a private system (47%) or the same mix of private and public as today (43%). Only one in ten (10%) think that it will be more of a public system.

In this context, it comes as no surprise that seven in ten Canadians think that most aspects of the health care system will be the same or worse in ten years.

Those aspects of the health care system that 70 percent or more of Canadians think will remain the same or get worse include:

• Access to mental health care (26% `worse'/52% `same')
• Access to affordable prescription drugs (32% `worse'/ 45% `same')
• The shortage of other health professionals besides doctors (38% `worse'/38% `same')
• The shortage of doctors (41% `worse'/31% `same')
• The efficiency of the health care system (34% `worse'/39% `same')
• The overall quality of health care (32% say `worse'/39% say `same')

Only slightly fewer Canadians - roughly six in ten - think that access to MRIs, X-rays and other diagnostic equipment (24% `worse'/36% `same') and the lack of an electronic medical record (13% `worse'/45% `same') will be the same or worse in the next ten years.

Women are more likely than men to think that certain aspects of the health care system will get worse, including: the shortage of doctors (47% of women compared to 35% of men), the shortage of other health care professionals besides doctors (41% compared to 34%), the efficiency of the health care system (37% compared to 30%), and access to MRIs, X-rays and other diagnostic equipment (29% compared to 18%).

Respondents were also asked to identify the one thing that Canadian leaders should do today to ensure that the health care system in Canada will be able to meet the needs of all Canadians over the next ten years. One in three (32%) mention actions related to health human resources and training, with 13 percent specifically noting that leaders should address the shortage of doctors. Fifteen percent mention issues related to funding, facilities, and equipment, with 11 percent specifying the need for more or better funding. No other items were mentioned by more than four percent of respondents, and 12% said they `don't know' what Canadian leaders should do.

Women (37%) are more likely than men (26%) to mention actions related to health human resources and training; Meanwhile, men (19%) are more likely than women (12%) to mention issues related to funding, facilities, and equipment.

Respondents were asked to rate their agreement, on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means completely disagree and 10 means completely agree, with a series of statements about changes to the costs of health care and demands for it over the next 20 years. Nearly half (46%) strongly agree (8 to 10 on the scale) that `health care costs will rise sharply, thereby increasing demands for public funds for health care.' This finding is consistent with those of previous studies in 2004 (when 48% strongly agreed) and 2000 (when 45% strongly agreed). Only one in ten (10%) strongly agree that `health costs will rise gradually, but the increase will be manageable due to growth in the economy.' Moreover, there has been a decline in the proportion of Canadians who believe that the economy will be able to keep up with increases in health costs compared to studies in 2004 (19%) and 2000 (19%).

Less than one in five (17%) strongly agree that `the demand for health care will increase, but we will be able to contain costs by operating the health care system more efficiently,' continuing the decline already established in 2004 (21%) compared to 2000 (29%). Only six percent strongly agree that `The demand for health care will decrease because the population will enjoy better health status,' a sharp decrease from 2004 (16%) and half the number recorded in 2000 (11%).

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CMA from 09/24 to 09/26, 2008. This online survey of 1,026 adult Canadians was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results of this poll are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls because they are based on samples drawn from opt-in online panels, not on random samples that mirror the population within a statistical probability ratio. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error. However, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points , 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of homeowners in Canada been polled.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Mike Colledge
Senior Vice President
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(613) 241-5802
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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