A number of Ontarians want the province to address the backlog of healthcare services resulting from the pandemic.
It’s one of the top issues identified in a survey conducted for the Ontario Medical Association.
When asked to identify the issue that was most important to them, 40 per cent of Ontarians chose addressing COVID-19. Ten per cent noted access to health care/long wait times/understaffed hospitals. Seven per cent said economic growth should be the government’s priority.
OMA President Dr. Adam Kassam says it mirrors what they’ve advocated.
An overwhelming 96 per cent of respondents stated they supported the OMA’s Prescription for Ontario, a five-point plan to improve the system. Reducing the backlog of 20 million healthcare services is the top priority of that plan.
“They want to know the health care system will be there for them when they need it. They know they can’t afford to wait for the services that they need, and they want government to prioritize health care spending over the economy, at least until COVID and the backlog of care are behind us,” says Dr. Kassam.
Dr. Kassam says it mirrors what they’ve advocated.
There is a difference in opinion when it comes to age groups.
Younger Ontarians (ages 18-39) expressed more interest in mental health issues, suggesting a significant and growing generational divide.
“While older Ontarians care more about waitlists and the backlog, younger people are more concerned about mental health. Recently, the younger generation has prioritized mental health, and they are more aware of it, perhaps even more open to talking about it, and perhaps even more open to seeking care,” says Dr. Kassam.
The survey also found that one in ten Ontarians have not been vaccinated against COVID or have received only one dose.
Ipsos’ Sandra Guirey says seven per cent said they did not plan to get vaccinated.”
“Twenty-four per cent or almost one in four say they were afraid of side effects, with the same percentage saying they do not trust the information coming from government. Other mentions include personal choice to wait, don’t believe the vaccine is effective, dislike of needles, have medical reasons, or were not sufficiently concerned about getting COVID-19 to get their shots,” says Guirey.
Millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) and GEN X women (born between 1965 and 1980) were more likely to skip vaccines than seniors.
