PPN101 - Week 10

Early health care pre-1867

Emphasis on local communities and essential services, centralized care to local churches and families, poor sanitation and infectious disease.

British North America Act, 1867

Constitution act that gave certain powers to the federal and provincial governments, birth of Canada.

Evolution of Medicare

By 1961, all provinces and territories provided coverage for inpatient hospital care, by 1972, coverage extended to medical services outside hospitals.

Canada Health Act

Federal government's response to extra billing, 5 principles - public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, accessibility.

The federal government responsibilities

Setting and administering national principles, financing provincial health care, health services to specific groups, health protection and promotion.

The provincial/territorial governments responsibilities

Developing and administering health care insurance plans, funding care in hospitals and other facilities, determining which services are covered.

Canada Health Transfer

Largest transfer of money from the federal government to provinces and territories for health care.

Dental care for Canadians

A third of Canadians do not have dental insurance, cost is a barrier to accessing care.

Primary health care

Foundation of Canada's health care system, first point of contact for nonurgent/emergent care, supports essential health care services.

Delivery of health care

5 levels of services - health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care.

Primary care

First place of contact for health care, includes prevention and treatment of common diseases and injuries.

Secondary and tertiary care

Secondary care from specialists following a diagnosis, tertiary care for complex cases.

Two-tiered healthcare

System where private health services are faster or better than public health services.

Current issues in Canadian healthcare

Sustainability/cost, hallway medicine, wait times, indigenous health, LTC/acute beds, mental health, equity/accessibility, pharma care, staffing shortage, aging population, bureaucracy, policy changes.

3 crucial problems requiring urgent action

Long wait times for elective care, inaccessibility of services outside Medicare, unacceptable indigenous health disparities.