Whenever people talk about differences between the USA and Canada, the healthcare system tends to crop up in the conversation.
In the US, there is no universal healthcare, meaning the US government does not provide health benefits to either visitors or citizens. When you require medical care in the USA, it has to be paid for.
In Canada, however, things are a little different. Because Canadians pay for Medicare through their taxes, public medical services for all citizens are free – a point of difference that often weighs the vote in Canada’s favour when it comes to immigration.
But what about actually working in the healthcare industry? Although USA healthcare isn’t free, is the quality of work-life better than in Canada, or is it the other way around? We’ll take a look at that below by comparing application processes, salaries, work-to-life balance, and job satisfaction.
USA And Canada Application Process
When it comes to immigration, discovering how to work as a doctor in Canada has been made easier in recent years. This is mainly due to the government’s strategy – Canada is aiming for 1.5 new residents by the end of 2025 – and the healthcare industry, in particular, being one of the top jobs demanding new workers. For skilled doctors, however, the process of applying for a visa should be simple for both Canada and the US, so long as it is done through an official registered company.
USA And Canada Salaries
In terms of salaries, the average salary for a doctor in Canada is $100,000 per annum – equating to $51.28 per hour. Entry-level salaries start at $48,469 per year, with the most experienced, specialist doctors making up to $299,811.
In the USA, however, the average salary for a doctor is $185,125 per annum – equating to $89 per hour. Entry-level salaries start at $55,533 per annum, with specialist doctors making up to $382,000.
USA And Canada Work-To-Life Balance
There are a number of reasons why a healthy work-to-life balance is important – even if the salary of a particular job might be lower than you might expect in another country. In Canada, doctors generally work around 35 to 40 hours per week, with a recent report showing that the majority of healthcare professionals reported good work stability and a healthy work-to-life balance.
In the USA, research has shown that physicians work an average of 51.4 hours a week, with some even reaching 61 to 80 hours a week. This has led to multiple reports of high US healthcare burnout rates and dissatisfaction among doctors in the US.
USA And Canada Job Satisfaction
Following on from the previous comparisons, most would say that Canadian doctors are more satisfied in their jobs than doctors in the US. This is due to a number of different factors. For one, the additional burden of paperwork and medical documentation undeniably takes a toll on the US system.
Similarly, because patients are not paying for healthcare, doctors have reported feeling more gratified and less stressed in their everyday work. This has led to fewer burnouts and an overall happier mental attitude.
None of this is to say that Canada is better than the US when it comes to being a doctor – as mentioned previously, the average salary for doctors in the US is far higher than the average salary in Canada. But, as always, you should base your decision on what you think is right and the sort of working environment that you want to be involved in.
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