A survey conducted in 5 countries reveals that physicians around the globe are worried about the quality of care they can provide. More than half of physician respondents in Canada, New Zealand and the US, 48% in the United Kingdom and 38% in Australia said their ability to provide quality care has declined in the past 5 years, and most were not optimistic about what the future holds.
Almost two-thirds of Canadian physicians (62%) and over half of those in New Zealand (52%) and the US (53%) were worried that the quality of care will continue to decline. Three-quarters of Canadian physicians believe that in the future patients will be waiting longer than they should for medical treatment. Less than half of the US physicians (41%) shared this concern.
Most physicians polled in the 5 countries rated nursing staff levels as poor or fair. UK physicians were most likely (84%) to give low ratings to nursing staff levels. Physicians from every country except the US were also concerned about the supply of specialists.
Canadian physicians (63%) expressed more concern over inadequate medical and diagnostic equipment than their international colleagues. American doctors (8%) were the least worried. Almost half of respondents from Canada and the UK rated their emergency room facilities fair or poor, compared with 27% of US physicians.
Despite their concerns, physicians in all 5 countries were more satisfied with their health care systems than the people who use them. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders generally were 4 to 5 times more likely (1998 poll) than physicians (2000 poll) to call for a complete reconstruction of the system. Between 46% and 58% of physicians in those countries agreed that there are some positive aspects about their health care systems, but said fundamental change is needed.