Wait times in BC, Canada?

[Canadian_Bacon]

Just wondering if anyone here knows the aproximate wait times for seeing an orthopedic surgeon and wait times for surgery. I've been pegged at 6months wait to see Dr. Dvorak at the VGH spine clinic and I wanted to see if that was a normal wait time.

Thanks,

[CStadler]

Hi there from BC,
I am also seeing Dr. Dvorak. You are in very good hands from everything I have heard. He is suppose to be one of the best in Canada. I saw him in Jan '07 and had a date for June 28th but it has been cancelled. Now I am looking at Aug or Sept but as of yet no date.
How about you?

[Canadian_Bacon]

Hi there from BC,
I am also seeing Dr. Dvorak. You are in very good hands from everything I have heard. He is suppose to be one of the best in Canada. I saw him in Jan '07 and had a date for June 28th but it has been cancelled. Now I am looking at Aug or Sept but as of yet no date.
How about you?

Hey CStadler,

Right now I'm on the wait list to see Dr. Dvorak. I recieved a letter from the Spine Clinic near the end of June indicating I would have to wait about 6 months to see Dr. Dvorak. I know waits can be long and it is base on priority - so I'm curious to see what other ppl's waits are to see him (to see how high or low I'm on the list ).

I've heard very good things about Dr. Dvorak and I've read his brief bio (http://www.orthosurgery.ubc.ca/faculty_bios/dvorak.html) which is very impressive. I'm very excited to see him and I don't know how the 6 months are going to pass!

I'm also kind of worried because it seems my condition (Kyphosis) is much more rare than Scoliosis so I don't know his experience in spinal fusion surgeries in relation to Kyphosis which will ultimately affect his decision as to grant my request for surgery.

From what I've read, 8months is the avg wait list for orthopedic surgery in BC so even if you get pushed to Sept.

How long did you wait for your orginal appointment with Dr. Dvorak and if you don't mind me asking - what was your diagnosis?

[CStadler]

I had been going for years to physio, active release therapy, yoga, massage and in the last 2 years it went steadily downhill. In Aug '05 I went to my family doc and said I wanted to be referred to the VGH spinal program. I didn't know at that time if they could help my back pain but I didn't think I had anything to loose. I only found out I had scoliosis after they did Xrays in preparation to go to VGH. I waited 17 months to get in and finally saw a rehab specialist there Dec '06. He was the one that said I had been doing everything he would normally suggest so he referred me on to Dr. Dvorak. I saw him in Jan '07. I was booked twice for Jun 28th and cancelled twice. Still haven't heard when the date will be but when I talked to his secretary she suggested it would be after he was back from holidays (Aug 13th).
I too have read his bio but it was a friend of mine who is a doctor that recommended him as being one of the best in BC. (he himself had surgery by Dr. D).

Hope this helps.

[Canadian_Bacon]

^Bump

Any other experiences?

[Justin]

It only takes around 7 days for an appointment if you have seen Dr. Dvorak before.

Yes, he is known as 1 of the best spinal surgeons in Canada. Including operating Steve Moore the Colorado Avalanche hockey player that got hit by Todd Bertuzzi.

You guys/girls are in good hands.

[CStadler]

Thanks Justin always good to hear more positive things but after meeting with him I just knew he was the right one as well as a very good reference from a friend who is a doctor and had him do his surgery.

Only 10 more days for me. Getting a little nervous with such a big fusion but I can hardly wait to not have any more back pain and be able to do things again.

[Canadian_Bacon]

Thanks Justin always good to hear more positive things but after meeting with him I just knew he was the right one as well as a very good reference from a friend who is a doctor and had him do his surgery.

Only 10 more days for me. Getting a little nervous with such a big fusion but I can hardly wait to not have any more back pain and be able to do things again.

I just wanted to wish you good luck and a speedy recovery!

[CStadler]

Thank you so much.

Did Steve Moore actually have surgery or just treatment?

I have heard Dr. D also worked on Rick Hansen and our exMayor that fell off his balcony. He is walking and they thought he might not ever be able to.

[Justin]

Not sure.. the media is not open about these things.
Ye i heard about Rick hansen and Ex-Mayor.

[Canadian_Bacon]

Thank you so much.

Did Steve Moore actually have surgery or just treatment?

I have heard Dr. D also worked on Rick Hansen and our exMayor that fell off his balcony. He is walking and they thought he might not ever be able to.

Steve Moore just had treatment but Mike Harcourt (ex mayor) had surgery.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2002/...red021202.html

[Canadian_Bacon]

http://www.swl.hlth.gov.bc.ca/swl/sw...=101&IEvent=OR

The above link shows wait time for each orthopedic surgeon at VGH. Dr. Dvoraks median wait time is 5.1 weeks - that seems pretty reasonable. Somthing I'm missing? I was under the impresson that the average wait time was in the nieghborhood of 8 months?

[rtremb]

Hi Canadian Bacon:

We live in Ottawa, Ontario. I have found that the squeaky wheel gets the attention with our healthcare system in Ontario. Why not call and see if you can be put on a waiting list for a cancelled appointment? OR ask for an earlier appointment......maybe you already did this?

Ruth Tremblay

[Canadian_Bacon]

Hi Canadian Bacon:

We live in Ottawa, Ontario. I have found that the squeaky wheel gets the attention with our healthcare system in Ontario. Why not call and see if you can be put on a waiting list for a cancelled appointment? OR ask for an earlier appointment......maybe you already did this?

Ruth Tremblay

Thanks, I'll give that a shot!

[Justin]

Please read private message CStadler, thx!