A new report suggests Canadians have a tougher time getting rapid access to their doctors than people in other countries.

It’s especially true outside of normal doctors’ hours.

The report shows Canadians are less likely to be able to get a same-day or next-day medical appointment; and they are among the least likely to have their doctor make a house call.

John Abbott of the Health Council of Canada says that pushes too many patients to hospital emergency departments. He says Canadians are the highest users of emergency rooms in all the countries in the survey. He goes on to say that’s an inefficient way to use health care services.

The findings come from the Commonwealth Fund international health policy survey, released by the Health Council of Canada. They compare Canada to residents of the U-S, Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and New Zealand.

Doctors in eleven countries were polled for the survey, which was conducted between March and July of last year.