Waitlists, Referrals, and the “Care Cliff”

SUMMARY - Waitlists, Referrals, and the “Care Cliff”

Getting into healthcare is often the biggest barrier to receiving it. Waitlists for specialists, mental health services, surgeries, and other care stretch months or years. Referral processes create additional delays. And then, suddenly, care may end—the "care cliff" where supported treatment stops and patients are left on their own. These access barriers shape health outcomes as much as the care eventually received.

Alberta

RIPPLE

This thread documents how changes to Waitlists, Referrals, and the “Care Cliff” may affect other areas of Canadian civic life. Share your knowledge: What happens downstream when this topic changes? What industries, communities, services, or systems feel the impact? Guidelines: - Describe indirect or non-obvious connections - Explain the causal chain (A leads to B because...) - Real-world examples strengthen your contribution Comments are ranked by community votes. Well-supported causal relationships inform our simulation and planning tools.

Alberta

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