You’ll note some surprising findings. One is that we lead the countries in most categories of medical errors, and our doctors provide in general the least amount of information to patients on their treatments and potential side effects thereof.
We are also on top of the list for patients who missed treatments or didn’t buy presciptions due to cost related issues.
Our cost per capita for healthcare is just about double all the other countries compared ($6102 per person per year, vs. $2k-3k per person per year – highest surveyed other than us was $3165).
The only country where it was more difficult to get in to see a doctor either same or next day was Canada (47% same or next day in the US – 36% in Canada, 81% in NZ, 69% in Germany, 66% in Australia, and 51% in the UK). 23% reported taking 6 days or longer to see a doctor (again, 2nd only to Canada). We were the worst at being able to see a doctor on nights, weekends, and holidays without having to go to an ER.
One of the few measurements which we did well in was in relatively fast access to specialists for sicker adults (2nd, Germany was best) and access for elective (non urgent) surgeries (2nd again to Germany).
6% of Germans had to go to the ER for a condition which could have been treated by a normal office visit. 26% of Americans did (the European nations averaged around 12%).
