Home / Health / Endometriosis Patients Face Lengthy Surgical Wait Times
Endometriosis Patients Face Lengthy Surgical Wait Times
20 Apr
Summary
- Patients endure long waits for endometriosis surgery due to limited specialists.
- Advocacy groups highlight systemic issues like lack of education and medical sexism.
- Some patients seek expensive treatment abroad due to inadequate care access.
Karlee Guitard's experience of delayed diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis exemplifies the struggles many patients face. After experiencing severe pain, she was misdiagnosed with anxiety, leading her to drop out of her respiratory therapy program. Her story inspired Amy MacArthur to found Endo Project Atlantic, an advocacy group seeking to improve recognition and care for endometriosis patients within the healthcare system.
MacArthur's group has highlighted a critical shortage of endometriosis specialists in Atlantic Canada. New Brunswick has only one surgeon, Dr. Craig Morton, in Saint John, with waitlists extending over a year. This scarcity forces patients like Melissa de Luca to anticipate waits of up to March 2027 for essential surgeries.
These lengthy delays have led some patients to explore international treatment options. Johanna Venturini from Prince Edward Island is considering seeking diagnosis and surgery in France and Romania due to the overwhelming wait times and impact on her health. Her situation underscores the desperation some feel when Canadian healthcare systems fall short.
Dr. Morton notes recent improvements in operating room access for gynecological surgeries in Horizon Health Network, partly due to reorganizing hysterectomies and clearing pandemic backlogs. However, he emphasizes the ongoing need for more specialized gynecologists and improved societal understanding of period pain to address the widespread demand.
Despite some positive changes, such as increased OR time and a new education program, the system's capacity remains a concern. Dr. Morton expresses "moral distress" over his inability to provide timely care to all patients. Organizations like Endo Project Atlantic are working to bridge the gap by offering support and advocating for better patient outcomes.
