- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, between 20 and 40% of Atlantic Canadians have postponed their routine healthcare appointments including dentist visits, doctor’s appointments, eye exams, physiotherapy sessions and counselling appointments.
- Among those with postponed appointments, many are planning on rescheduling within the next six months, however, many others are unsure and plan on rescheduling their appointments only when it is safer to do so, suggesting that public uncertainty around pandemic recovery remains.
- A small minority (between 4% and 16%) are planning to not reschedule their cancelled appointments.
January 25th, 2022
Climate change remains a concern for the majority of Atlantic Canadians (86% agree to some extent). Additionally, most also agree that urgent action is needed to address climate The COVID-19 Pandemic has negatively impacted both the lives and livelihoods of Atlantic Canadians, and with the numerous lockdowns and restrictions in-place, the day-to-day lives of many have been disrupted. A minority of residents have decided, given the pandemic, to postpone or cancel many types of routine healthcare visits. Among those who were negatively affected, routine dentist appointments (39%) and routine doctor’s appointments (37%) were more likely to be postponed, compared with one-quarter who had deferred their routine eye exams (26%). Meanwhile, two in ten had their routine physiotherapy appointments (21%) and regular counselling appointments (20%) delayed.
Although some appointments will be rescheduled, there is uncertainty for many about when or if they will visit their healthcare providers for these routine appointments. Among those who have postponed healthcare appointments, only roughly 15% were able to reschedule and had already attended their healthcare appointments. Between four in ten and one-half are planning to reschedule their appointments within the next six months. One-quarter to four in ten are unsure and plan on rescheduling their appointments only when it is safer to do so. However, a small minority say they will not reschedule their appointments. Interestingly, those with physiotherapy (13%) and counselling appointments (16%) are more likely to not plan on rescheduling, compared to those visiting their dentists (4%), doctors (4%), and eye doctors (5%).
Narrative Research, www.narrativeresearch.ca, is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research provides clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. Visit EastCoastVoice.ca to join Atlantic Canada’s largest panel, and share your opinions.
This survey was conducted from January 11 to 16, with 1,140 Atlantic Canadians from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. As a non-probability sample (i.e., a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
The questions reported in this release include the following:
- Have you postponed or avoided any of the following types of healthcare appointments in the last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic? (includes breakdown of types of healthcare)
- When do you plan on scheduling/rescheduling your…(includes breakdown of types of healthcare)
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO & Partner: 902.493.3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493.3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
