OTTAWA — More and more, Canadians view themselves as consumers of health care, not mere patients.

And like active customers everywhere, they’re demanding better service.

A study of the attitudes of more than 2,000 adults by the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions says Canadians want quicker and more convenient access to care, to their own health records, and to online services such as scheduling or viewing test results.

A majority are even willing to widen private health care in Canada — provided private services don’t hurt the publicly funded parts of the system.

More people are showing up in doctors’ offices with arms full of research from the Internet and other sources in a bid to take responsibility for their care, said Mark Fam, senior manager at the Deloitte centre. “But they’re going to need help along the way. That’s where we see a desire by consumers for more personalized services.”

The survey found Canadians relatively satisfied with the health system, but only about 37% feel they understand how it works. About 60% said they’ve gone online for information about treatment.

Half of those surveyed said they’d like access to a secure Internet site that lets them schedule doctors’ visits, see their own medical records or order their own prescription refills.

That said, three quarters are also “highly satisfied” with the care they get from their family physician and only about five per cent switched doctors because they were unhappy.

Fam said Canadians remain loyal to the public health-care system but about one-quarter would pay for private services if it meant improved quality of care. Fifty-six per cent support increasing private care if there’s no impact on the public system; half would back more private services if it meant a reduction in waiting times for care.

The survey of 2,034 adults was done in November, 2008. The margin of error is two percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

christina.spencer@sunmedia.ca