Ontario Wait Times
Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging - What to ask your doctor about wait times
How quickly you get an operation or test depends on how serious your condition is. In some cases, you may be placed on a waiting list. Make sure you :
- Understand what will happen when you have the operation or test. To learn more, talk to your family doctor and your specialist or surgeon.
- Know how long you will have to wait.
- Find out if there are ways to reduce the wait time.
Learn more :
What to ask your family doctor
Print this list of questions to take with you.
- Why do I need a specialist?
- Why are you recommending this specialist?
- How much experience does the specialist have in treating my type of problem?
- Why do I need this surgery or exam?
- How soon do I need this surgery or exam?
- When can I expect to get it?
- Will my health change while I wait to see the specialist? If this happens, what should I do?
- If I have to wait a long time to see this specialist, can you refer me to another specialist or hospital to have the surgery or exam done sooner?
What to ask your specialist
Print this list of questions to take with you.
About the surgery or exam
- What treatment do you recommend for me?
- Why do I need this surgery or exam? How will it help me?
- How soon do I need this surgery or exam? How soon can I get it?
- Will my health change while I wait for the surgery or exam? If this happens, what do I do?
- What are the risks of the surgery or exam?
- What are the risks of not having the surgery or exam?
- What kind of anaesthesia will I need?
- What other options do I have?
- Where can I get a second opinion?
About the wait time
- How long have other patients waited for this surgery or exam?
- How many patients are currently on your wait list for the same surgery or exam?
- To get the surgery or exam sooner, will your office contact me if another patient cancels?
- What should I do if I need to delay or cancel the surgery or exam?
- What can I do to make sure there are no big delays?
After your recovery
- How long will I be in hospital?
- How long will it take me to recover?
- How will this surgery or exam affect my daily life?
- What sort of care will I need at home after the surgery or exam?
About the specialist
- What training and qualifications do you have?
- What experience have you had doing this surgery or exam?
- Which hospital will you use?
- What sort of care will I need at home after the surgery or exam?
