A recent study conducted by the Fraser Institute determined more than 45,000 Canadians left Canada for medical treatment last year and Albertans are among the most likely to seek care outside our nation’s borders.

According to the study, 4,616 Albertans left Canada for treatment in 2015, trailing only Ontario (22,352) and British Columbia (10,315).

“We are one of the top spenders in healthcare in the world,” explained Bacchus Barua, senior economist with the Fraser Institute, “yet, we have fewer physicians per capita than the average OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) country.”

While the majority of the medical tourists went stateside, India and Mexico proved popular destinations for treatment.

The Fraser Institute’s study does not differentiate between Canadians who travelled abroad specifically for medical care and ‘snowbirds’ who received treatment while residing outside the country.

Canada’s medical system was a point of contention during Sunday night’s U.S. presidential debate when Republican candidate Donald trump referred to it as ‘a catastrophe’ stating Canadians preferred to head to the U.S. for a big operation.

While Trump’s declaration did not include specific numbers or cases, there are examples of Canadians, including Calgarians, pursuing care available within the privatized system of the United States.

Erik Dickson, a 20-year-old Calgarian, suffered a life altering injury while on holiday in Mexico in April.

“I went down to Mexico with a few buddies,” said Dickson. “I was under the influence of some alcohol and, near the end of the day, I decided to dive into a shallow pool. I had a burst fracture up my C4 and C5 (vertebrae) in my spine.”

“I had a concussion as well and swallowed some water so I had an E. coli infection when I got out of the water and into the hospital. I had pneumonia and it was a bit of a struggle for a while.”

Dickson returned to Calgary where he received treatment in the Foothills Medical Centre’s intensive care unit. “It was touch-and-go there for a bit there. They were able to stabilize me and fuse my neck.”

When it was time for Dickson and his family to consider rehabilitation treatment, they discovered Calgary, and most of Canada, did not have what they considered to be adequate facilities or resources to assist people with spinal injuries.

Dickson underwent rehabilitation at the Craig Hospital near Denver, Colorado, a medical centre specializing in spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.

“The equipment at the facilities there are much, much, much more advanced,” explained Dickson. “They’re able to cater to the specific needs that you might have when you’re working out in this sort of capacity.”

“When I went down to Denver I became a student of my body. You learn every little thing you need to know when you get hurt like this.”

Dickson says if the level of care was equal, he would have preferred to rehab near home.

“I would have loved to have received it here,” said Dickson. “It’s a shame and it’s disappointing that they don’t have the kinds of facilities here that they have in the States all because of privatized institutions.”

The 20-year-old chose not to divulge the cost of his stateside treatment but concedes “it was pretty expensive.”

“I’m very fortunate being where I’m from and the family I was brought up in,” acknowledged Dickson. “I do know people that unfortunately don’t have the means or the funds to receive this sort of equipment through clinics and hospitals.”

“If we did have better health care it would grant other people that may not be as fortunate as I am to receive health care on the higher level.”

Among the equipment Dickson utilizes in Colorado that, according to him, is not available in Canada is a walking machine.

“It is able to stimulate your legs by sending electrical pulses and contracting the muscles,” explained Dickson. “It’s able to simulate, more or less, a walking movement with the assistance of the machine and the electrical stem.”

The 20-year-old, who is pursuing a career as a financial trader, plans to return to Colorado on a frequent basis throughout his rehabilitation.

“It’s been tough. To be blunt, it’s a travesty and it’s devastating to any family that goes through anything like this,” said Dickson of his life post-injury. “I’m much wiser since I’ve been hurt. Life isn’t so black and white. There are a lot of things that we take for granted and you learn to cherish them now.”

With files from CTV's Rahim Ladhani