Even if you have a doctor, you’re in trouble in this crumbling healthcare system

Remember when everybody had a family doctor? It wasn’t that long ago. Having someone you could rely on for your annual screening was the norm. Then, we didn’t rely on luck to find a doctor. Now, even if you do have one, it feels like getting an appointment with them is a battle in itself. The days of easy access are long gone, replaced by months-long waits for appointments, and a healthcare system that feels increasingly distant.

I used to go for my annual screening with my family doctor like clockwork. Then, as time went on, those appointments stretched to every other year. Recently, when I tried to book my bi-annual check-up, I was told they don’t do that anymore. The explanation? “People were waiting for their annual check-ups to address issues, and things were getting diagnosed too late.” I call BS. While I understand the logic, the solution makes me uneasy. If I’m not being screened regularly, how will potential issues like high blood pressure, low iron, or diabetes get caught early? These aren’t things you notice in your day-to-day until they’ve already caused damage.

Now, if you do experience any symptoms, getting in to see your family doctor—if you’re lucky enough to still have one—feels impossible. You may have to wait months for an appointment, so you start considering alternatives. Maybe you’ll try a walk-in clinic, if your area has one. Or perhaps a virtual consultation. But then you hear horror stories about doctors kicking patients off their rosters for seeking help elsewhere, and suddenly you’re standing in the emergency room, waiting to be seen for something that doesn’t feel “urgent” but still needs attention.

Out of nowhere, I developed vertigo. I tried a virtual doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and advised me to see someone in person. The next day, I dragged myself to the only walk-in clinic around, waited over an hour just to register, and eventually saw a doctor. She confirmed the antibiotics and anti-vertigo meds were the right course of action—without running any tests. I also went to see a physiotherapist to try to find a solution. Three weeks later, I’m still dizzy, maybe even worse.

How is this healthcare? I’m left wondering, could there be something more going on? Could we have caught it earlier if screenings were still a priority? The constant dizziness has become a reminder of how our system is failing us. We’re in a cycle of waitlists, half-diagnoses, and missed opportunities to catch illnesses early.

We are told not to go to Google for answers, yet are constantly put in situations where Google is all we have!

It’s disheartening to think that our healthcare system, which once felt so reliable, has become this tangled mess where even those who have doctors can’t get the care they need. If you’re feeling the same frustration, it’s time to take action. Reach out to your local representatives and demand better access to healthcare. Let them know that waiting months for an appointment or relying on overworked ERs isn’t a solution. It’s time for our voices to be heard so we can get the care we deserve.