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A new Statistics Canada report reveals that 4.5 million Canadians aged 45 and older face significant barriers in accessing specialist care, with wait times and systemic challenges worsening as the population ages. The study, based on 2024 survey data, highlights that 6.6 million people sought specialist care for conditions like skin disorders, urological issues, or orthopedic problems, but 4.5 million couldn't secure timely appointments. Over 2.9 million experienced unmet health needs due to delayed or denied care. British Columbia faces the most severe crisis, with 1.2 million people waiting for specialists, driven by population growth outpacing healthcare infrastructure. Experts note that 10% of referrals in B.C. fail due to outdated systems, while 33% are misdirected to incorrect specialists. The report also underscores the critical role of family doctors, as many patients lack primary care providers, exacerbating delays. In Alberta, long wait times for procedures like knee replacements are among the worst nationally. The findings emphasize the urgent need for systemic reforms, including digitizing referral processes and addressing shortages of specialists and family physicians to prevent worsening health outcomes and patient distress.

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