My volunteer in CDA

Since coming to Canada, I have continued my active involvement in the health care industry by immersing myself with volunteer opportunities and additional courses to ensure understanding of the Canadian health care system and market access environment. As a Canadian Diabetes Association volunteer I have performed as Outreach Information Representative in health fairs, Team Marshall in conferences and events.

Event: Care Ministries Health fair

Time: Saturday January 16th, 2016

Role: Outreach Information Table

Event: The 2nd Annual Diabetes Dash

Time: March & April, 2016

Role: Event Sponsorship Coordinator

Event: Type 1 Diabetes Expo

Time: Saturday April 9th, 2016

Role: Exhibitor support & Registration

Event: Spring Into Action 5K

Time: Sunday April 24th, 2016

Role: Set-Up, Registration Table & Course Marshal

Event: GM health fair

Time: Monday June 13

Role: Outreach Information Table

Event: GWN Sport Regatta event

Time: Saturday July 16

Role: Team Marshall

My first experience in emergency in Canada

On October 20, 2016 I was sent to the emergency in North York center hospital. This is my first time visiting the emergency department in Canada since I landed in September 2015. I found there were so many difference in the emergency between Canada and my home country. Three facts impressed me a lot.

The first is the long waiting time. I arrived at the hospital at 1:45 a.m., then saw doctor at 3:45 a.m.. The doctor couldn’t find out what’s wrong with my stomach, and asked me to take ultrasonic examination at 7:00 a.m.. Finally, I left at 11:00 a.m. without any diagnosis, treatment or prescription. While, according to my personal experience in Shanghai, if a patient go to emergency room in the middle night, he or she usually can see the doctor within one hours.

The second is that all the healthcare provider worked so carefully. I was asked to describe my personal information, my symptoms and health care history such as allergies to the reception, the nurse and the doctor. The Medical Radiation Technologist spent half an hour to do ultrasonography which usually takes no more than 5 minutes in Shanghai.

The third is that I paid nothing in hospital. In China, the primary medical insurance has covered 97% of the population, but there is a certain percentage of copay for most of the consultant fee, examinations, treatments and medicines.

From this experience, I became more interested in study the Canadian health care system.