No country achieved the maximum score of 75 points, leaving room for improvement even among top contenders. Denmark’s benefits from blister packs remain unclear, and reliable data on new blister pack technology is lacking.

The lowest scorers impose the greatest time costs on patients and exhibit structural issues. Ireland ranks last with 15 points, largely due to slow healthcare digitalization. A 2023 OECD report ranked Ireland worst in digital health policies, and a 2024 survey found 62% of healthcare workers feel “digitally poor.” Wait times are another major issue—while official lists understate delays, full treatment and discharge take an average of 90 days, far above the 49-day median for the whole index. Travel distances to healthcare facilities and pharmacies further frustrate patients, with the average trip to a hospital in Ireland lasting around 25 minutes.

Canada ranks second-lowest, with the longest elective surgery wait times (112.4 days) and severe primary care delays (14 days on average). Public dissatisfaction is high, with 73% demanding reform. A better-integrated digital system and more telemedicine could save significant time. Additionally, Canada’s publicly funded system misallocates resources, leading to high costs but fewer medical facilities. A mixed public-private model, like in Switzerland and the Netherlands, could improve service without reducing coverage—69% of Canadians favor such a shift.

In contrast, the top-ranked countries—Denmark, Switzerland, and the Netherlands—prioritize efficiency and private-sector involvement. Denmark minimizes waiting times, with same-day GP visits and elective surgery waits just over a month. Swiss and Dutch systems combine private providers with mandatory insurance, ensuring quick access to care. Other countries could benefit from adopting their strategies.