The impetus for this article is a situation that a friend of mine finds himself in.

His wife is sick.

His wife has been waiting a long time to see a specialist. She needs to see the specialist before she can get certain tests to determine the state of her illness. (due to health care regulations in my province – Ontario)

(Sorry for being vague, but I have to respect their privacy)

They called the centre where the tests are performed…and found out that there are slots available for the test IMMEDIATELY. However, she needs the referral from the specialist.

No getting around this – thems the rules

So, what do they do???

Wait?

That is what Canada’s health care system expects…we trade off immediate medical attention for the security of tax payer funded health care.

Go outside of the country and pay for the tests?

That’s a possibility

or, she can do something that is not supposed to be possible. She can jump the queue and get her test done here in Ontario.

This is what they are doing.

Her husband is arranging the tests to be performed through an arrangement between his company (incorporated) and a 3rd party health services company.

The tests will be performed at the same facility used by the public system. (The results will be sent to her GP and the specialist)

She won’t have to wait and worry for months and months.

The cost? $2000 (approx)

So, when I saw this story about the resistin test, it struck a nerve.

I realize that this test is VERY new, but to me, it reinforces my belief that there has to be a better way of balancing the stability of public health care and providing the BEST health care possible.

And I certainly wouldn’t use the U.S. as a role model. Instead of a system controlled by the gov’t, they have a system where the gov’t has given control to the insurance companies.

Americans are dreaming if they think their health care system is a free market.

Both systems are not driven by consumer needs. They are driven by gov’t and/or insurance company needs.

Rambodoc: I agree that the resistin test may be completely unnecessary, but if a patient wants the test and is willing to pay for it, why can’t he/she get the test? I can get an MRI for my cat in a couple of days, but not for myself.

Dr. Parker: The test isn’t available except in a research setting. But imagine if you could offer this test to your clients as a method of prevention. We test for cholesterol and high blood pressure, why not resistin or CRP?

By the way, I love the fact that 3 doctors commented on this post. I appreciate that you guys bring a completely different point of view to the discussion.

As a consumer of health care, I want every possible test and I want it NOW!!!

Your experience gives you perspective on a medical situation that I will never have.

Thanks for the comments and questions.

-Steve