Public Healthcare vs Private Healthcare Nurse Practitioners

Across Canada. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and family physicians are the only two credentialled healthcare professionals with the legislative authority to be an autonomous primary healthcare providers.  Yet, even now, with over half of Albertans reporting they lack timely access to essential primary care services, only family physicians have unrestricted access to public funding for their services.  This is both the how and the why of Compass Health Services. Setting the benchmark in high quality, customized and accessible primary care services at each encounter.  

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners are graduate prepared, clinically experienced, safe, licensed, autonomous health professionals.They provide vital healthcare services while adhering to professional, ethical, and legal standards. NPs apply extensive knowledge from advanced nursing practice, health management, disease prevention, and biomedical and psychosocial theories to deliver comprehensive health services. They collaborate with patients and other healthcare providers to offer high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse populations and settings.

Nurse practitioners are skilled in conducting thorough health assessments, diagnosing conditions, and treating acute and chronic illnesses within a holistic care framework. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, perform medical procedures, and prescribe medications. Their practice also incorporates cost-effectiveness and resource allocation principles, which align with relevant legislative and policy guidelines.

NPs are fully accountable for their practice.  They are skilled in the delivery of comprehensive primary care which includes: health promotion and disease prevention, assessing illnesses and determining diagnosis, providing health education, developing safe and effective treatment plans, ordering medications, blood work, and diagnostic imaging, as well as connecting and referring to specialists or acute care services as appropriate.  Their education in both nursing and medical science is extremely well suited in their role as autonomous primary care providers.  Indeed, your care experience with a general practitioner should be very similar to that of a NP. The difference is how they deliver that care which is often tied to how they are reimbursed to provide that service.   NPs who practice in NP led clinics take more time with their patients at each visit to support a very comprehensive model of healthcare delivery in comparison to the episodic model of practice most commonly delivered in the dominant fee for service practices.

Public Healthcare in Calgary

Like the rest of Canada, Calgary operates under a public healthcare system that adheres to the criteria established by The Canada Health Act: universal coverage, comprehensive services, accessible care, portability across provinces and territories, and public administration. This system ensures that essential medical services, including hospital care, diagnostics, and physician services, are available to all residents without direct charges. 

Despite being publicly funded, specific services, like some outpatient treatments, may not be covered, which can lead patients to seek additional care through private means if they are not financially constrained.

Notably, public facilities sometimes utilize private providers to deliver care, ensuring that essential health services remain cost-free at the point of service. This blend of public funding and private delivery includes services such as cataract surgeries and certain walk-in clinic services, reflecting a complex but integrated healthcare landscape aimed at providing equitable access. 

However, issues like the balance of care availability and the “postal code effect,” where service availability and wait times vary by location, significantly influence public healthcare delivery in Calgary.

Private Healthcare in Calgary

In contrast to the public system, private healthcare in Calgary offers services that need to be covered by the individual, either directly or through supplemental private health insurance policies. Approximately 27 million Canadians rely on private insurance to access these additional services, reflecting a substantial reliance on private healthcare to support growing healthcare needs

The role of private healthcare extends to diagnostic testing, and surgical procedures as a mechanism to expedite healthcare services. For instance, while Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are covered by public health insurance when deemed medically necessary, Alberta and other provinces are expanding the offering of these services, with costs covered by public insurance or privately paid, to improve accessibility and reduce public wait times.  

This is true for accessing primary care services as well.  With increasing shifts in the demand to supply of this essential services as a direct result of reduced numbers of primary care providers accepting patients, private practices provide Albertans with a choice.  Like insurance payments for your car or house, you have the option to choose a provider that matches with your needs and lifestyle and invest in your health and wellness for a similar financial commitment.  Similar to the offering of public or private education choices, private healthcare provides access, innovation and opportunities that are not available in our public system.  Indeed,  as Calgary and the surrounding areas struggle with healthcare delivery that combines both quality and accessibility, the interplay between the public and private sectors is dynamic and together are needed to innovate and adapt to the growing and varied population healthcare demands.

Comparing the Two Systems

These two systems have critical differences, from coverage and accessibility to future outlook and adaptability. 

Coverage and Accessibility

Public Healthcare:

• Provides universal coverage to all residents under the Canada Health Act.
• Ensures no direct costs for essential services like hospital care, diagnostics, and physician services.
• Faces challenges with wait times and availability, particularly for specialized treatments and diagnostics, influenced by geographic location and system capacity.

Private Healthcare:

• Offers services not typically covered by public insurance, such as certain medications, dental care, and most psychological counselling.
• Accessible to those who can afford private insurance or out-of-pocket payments, providing quicker access to services like MRI scans and elective surgeries.
• Often serves as a complement to public healthcare, particularly for non-essential services or where faster service is desired.

Quality and Efficiency

Public Healthcare:

• Maintains a high standard of care, regulated under national and provincial health standards.
• May experience inefficiencies due to systemic strains, such as underfunding or high demand, leading to long wait times for specific procedures.
• Relies solely on government funding and management, which can make it slow to adapt to rapid changes or innovations.

Private Healthcare:

• Generally has shorter wait times due to less demand and the ability to pay for expedited services.
• Can offer more personalized care and access to newer technologies and treatments not yet available in the public system.
• However, it operates on a for-profit basis, which can lead to higher costs for patients.

Equity and Inclusivity

Public Healthcare:

• Aims for equity by providing care based on medical needs rather than the ability to pay, ensuring all residents have access to essential health services.
• Struggles with disparities in service provision based on geographic and demographic factors, known as the “postal code effect.”

Private Healthcare:

• Offers an alternative route for those underinsured or uninsured to receive non-essential health services, albeit at a higher personal cost.
• Offers more control to the individual in selection of healthcare that best fits with their needs and lifestyle

System Capacity and Sustainability

Public Healthcare:

• Faces challenges related to system overloads, particularly in times of high demand, impacting its sustainability without increased funding or policy changes.
• Public debates and policy decisions often focus on how to sustainably fund and manage public healthcare amidst rising costs and demographic changes.

Private Healthcare:

• It can relieve pressure on the public system by providing alternative care options, thus improving overall system sustainability.
• However, its role in long-term healthcare sustainability is debated, especially regarding its impact on public resource allocation and healthcare equity.

Future Outlook and Adaptability

Public Healthcare:

• Continues to adapt through reforms and funding increases, like those seen in recent federal budgets aimed at improving system capacity and reducing wait times.
• Faces ongoing challenges to balance public satisfaction with operational efficiency and funding realities.

Private Healthcare:

• Likely to expand as demand for immediate, personalized services grows.
• It could play a crucial role in healthcare innovation and the introduction of new treatment modalities, influencing public healthcare practices and policies.

The Benefits of Choosing a Nurse Practitioner in Public or Private Healthcare

Choosing a nurse practitioner in a public or private healthcare setting comes with substantial benefits that improve the quality and efficiency of care. 

In public healthcare, NPs enhance accessibility by providing expert care in areas where physicians are scarce, including rural or underserved regions. NPs offer a comprehensive range of services, such as diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, which helps streamline patient care by reducing the need for multiple referrals. 

They contribute to cost-effectiveness in the public system by managing various health issues efficiently, potentially reducing the necessity for more expensive specialist interventions. They also bring a holistic approach to care, addressing both the medical and social aspects of health, which supports better overall patient outcomes and satisfaction.

In private healthcare settings, NPs can offer more personalized and immediate care, often with shorter wait times than public services. They can provide specialized services that may be less readily available in public systems, particularly advanced management for chronic diseases. 

The flexibility of private practice also allows nurse practitioners more time with each patient, which is crucial for comprehensively treating complex health conditions. This setting enables better continuity of care with direct and consistent follow-ups, allowing NPs to adjust treatment plans effectively over time. Private healthcare often leads the way in adopting innovative practices and technologies, providing NPs with access to the latest resources that enhance care delivery.

In both systems, nurse practitioners bring unique skills that make them indispensable in the healthcare landscape. Their advanced training and capacity to blend clinical expertise with empathetic patient care allow them to meet a wide range of patient needs effectively, making them a valuable choice in any healthcare environment.

Specialty Healthcare from Compass Health Services

At Compass Health Services, we believe in giving you the freedom to choose the best healthcare options tailored to your needs. Our private Nurse Practitioner clinic offers unparalleled primary care services designed for those seeking premium, personalized healthcare. Our experienced nurse practitioners bring over 30 years of clinical expertise directly to your healthcare experience as practicing primary care specialists.

Whether you’re an individual or a family, our membership options grant you timely access to healthcare services when you need them most. We are leading NP delivered private healthcare in and around Calgary.  Connect with us for a free consultation to learn more about why NPs are Canada’s best kept healthcare secret.

If you are interested in meeting with our NPs to learn more about our practice, or represent a community that is interested in opening a Compass Health Services clinic in their area, please contact us here for more information. 

Blog posts from Compass Health Group are for general information only. The content should not be considered medical advice. If you are in need of professional medical advice or assistance, please reach out to your local doctor or clinic.