More than half of Canadian women believe the country’s healthcare system is not meeting their needs, according to a new national survey. This finding highlights significant gaps in care access, timely diagnosis, and how women’s health concerns are addressed.
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A report released by virtual care platform Maple, based on a survey of 1,505 women by the Angus Reid Forum, reveals that 54% of Canadian women feel the healthcare system does not adequately support them. The findings point to outdated care models struggling to keep pace with the way women seek health services today, citing persistent issues like long wait times, diagnostic delays, and concerns being overlooked by medical professionals.
“These aren’t edge cases. They point to structural gaps that can’t be solved with small incremental changes,” stated Dr. Brett Belchetz, CEO and co-founder of Maple. “The care model itself has to evolve.”
The report underscores a pervasive issue where women’s health experiences are routinely marginalized within the system.
Illustrative image depicting a healthcare setting in Canada, highlighting systemic issues discussed in the report.
Delayed Diagnoses and Dismissed Concerns
The survey data paints a stark picture of these systemic failures. A significant 74% of women feel their health conditions are not taken seriously. Furthermore, 43% report experiencing delays in receiving proper treatment for their conditions, while 35% have faced misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses.
These statistics translate into real-life struggles. One notable example from 2023 involved a Canadian woman who endured over a decade of severe pain before finally being diagnosed with adenomyosis. She recounted being dismissed as “hysterical” or an “attention seeker” when seeking help for debilitating pelvic pain.
Another area where misdiagnosis is prevalent is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A recent survey from CADDAC (Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada) indicated that a substantial number of women were initially misdiagnosed with other conditions before receiving an accurate ADHD diagnosis. The consequences of misdiagnosis can be severe, tragically illustrated by the death of a young mental health worker in B.C. last year following an alleged misdiagnosis.
Navigating the healthcare system is also a major burden, with 70% of women finding it exhausting and overwhelming, leading some to avoid seeking care altogether until it becomes an emergency. This avoidance is exacerbated by the ongoing challenge of accessing primary care; approximately 6.5 million Canadians lacked a family doctor in 2023.
The Maple report highlights that these delays directly impact healthcare access. “For women, these delays are reshaping how and when care is accessed — and whether it’s accessed at all,” the report states. A concerning 62% of women have postponed or skipped necessary care due to long wait times. This number rises significantly among younger women aged 18 to 34, a critical period for establishing proactive health management.
Provincial Perspectives on Women’s Health Access
The dissatisfaction is widespread across the country, with a majority of women in every region surveyed feeling the system doesn’t meet their needs.
- British Columbia: 75% dissatisfaction
- Alberta: 81% dissatisfaction
- Saskatchewan: 77% dissatisfaction
- Manitoba: 76% dissatisfaction
- Ontario: 79% dissatisfaction
- Quebec: 70% dissatisfaction
- Atlantic Canada: 75% dissatisfaction
The report also draws attention to the specific challenges faced by women aged 35 to 54, often referred to as the “sandwich generation.” These women are frequently balancing their own health needs with significant caregiving responsibilities for parents, children, partners, or other family members. The survey found 40% of women are responsible for the care of a family member, adding considerable pressure that affects their health, finances, and long-term security.
Potential Paths Forward
Maple suggests that the Canadian healthcare system needs to adopt a more proactive approach to care delivery. Delays mean that minor health issues can escalate into serious conditions that are harder and more costly to treat.
The report notes a growing awareness among women about these systemic gaps and an increasing expectation for care that better reflects the realities of their lives – demanding timely, flexible, continuous, and easier-to-navigate services.
Technology is presented as a potential avenue for improving access and efficiency. The survey found that 82% of women have either used or are open to using technology-enabled healthcare solutions, such as virtual visits, digital navigation tools, and personal health record management. Furthermore, 68% believe that technology could help reduce wait times and enhance overall accessibility to care.
The findings from this report underscore an urgent need for systemic change within the Canadian healthcare landscape to better serve the diverse and critical health needs of women.
To understand more about healthcare challenges and access in Canada, explore our related articles.
