US vs. Canada: One Doctor’s Eye-Opening Experience with Dr. Alona Sukhina Part II
Life and Medicine North of the Border: Dr. Ilona Suchina’s Journey (Part 2)
Hey everyone, Dr. Rob Beck here. If you tuned in last week, you know I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Ilona Suchina—a pediatrician with some unique perspectives on practicing medicine in Canada after moving up from the States. This post dives into the second part of our conversation, where we really roll up our sleeves and get into what day-to-day life looks like for a pediatrician here.
If you’re a physician thinking about making the jump, or just curious about the differences, I think you’ll find this one especially illuminating. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s break it down.
What’s the Day-to-Day Like?
Moving from the U.S. medical system to Canada has some real, tangible changes—for the better.
Clinical Practice:
I can’t stress enough how much more time we get with patients here. In the States, I was constantly hustling—seeing 20-25 patients a day with barely 15-20 minutes for each.
Here, new patient consults can take an hour! That gives you the breathing room to dive into details: POTS, anxiety, depression, the works.
Routine stuff? Tests, referrals, consults—all pretty similar to what I did down south. But the reduced pace means quality isn’t sacrificed for volume.
Ordering & Access:
I never thought ordering genetic tests would be so seamless. There’s flexibility—think diagnosing uncommon syndromes without jumping through endless hoops.
Imaging is straightforward unless you need something complex, like sedated MRIs.
Medication formularies are mostly similar, with a few naming tweaks (salbutamol instead of albuterol, for instance).
The Consult Process: Who Sees What?
Canada’s healthcare structure means pediatricians function more as specialists.
Key Differences:
Family physicians handle most well-child checks. As a pediatrician, I see the referrals—babies with preemie histories, ongoing coughs, odd rashes, you name it.
I expected to see only the most complex kids, but it’s a mix—routine things to challenging cases. And when I need a second opinion, consultant colleagues are just a call away.
Work-Life Balance Re-Defined
Patient Load & Schedule:
Four workdays a week.
8–12 patients per day. Yes, you read that right.
Time for thoughtful care and real conversations.
Clinical Enjoyment:
Honestly, it feels like residency again—connecting with families, solving problems, and practicing “real” medicine.
I’m actually able to do patients justice. Less rush, more impact.
Paperwork and Billing: A Breath of Fresh Air
Administrative Tasks:
Paperwork is minimal. Disability tax credit forms for families can be detailed, but they aren’t a daily grind.
Notes focus on what matters—not endless boxes and billing codes to satisfy insurance companies you’ll never meet.
AI scribes are available and approved for use here too, though with some provincial differences.
Billing:
BILLING IS SIMPLE. I want to shout this from the rooftops.
One ICD-9 code, one billing code. That’s it. Your note is for patient care, not an audit.
Transparency is key—billing schedules are published and public.
Time spent is valued; longer adolescent consults get you additional compensation.
Virtual visits pay the same as in-person, which makes things easier on families and doctors.
Mistakes?
Sometimes I mess up a code or forget to include a consultant name—no sweat. Just fix and resubmit, no “gotcha” penalties or clawbacks.
Final Thoughts
Switching borders has completely changed my perspective on what it means to “practice medicine”—for the better. Less stress, more patient interaction, and the confidence that you’re supported by a system that wants you to succeed. There are bumps while learning any new setup, but the day-to-day satisfaction and freedom to care for patients as they deserve? Absolutely worth it.
If you’re a doctor (or know one!) considering the leap, reach out anytime. Seriously. There’s a better way to do medicine.
See you next time for the final part of my chat with Dr. Ilona Suchina—where we’ll talk about her journey coming to Canada and what life’s like outside the clinic!
—Dr. Rob Beck