Canadian Health Care System & Interprofessional Practice

CANADIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM & INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

INTRODUCTION

  • The theme revolves around understanding the influence of different approaches on the Canadian Health Care System, implications of the Canada Health Act, and the significance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare.

OBJECTIVES

  • To demonstrate understanding of health care approaches and their impact on the health of Canadians.

  • To describe the pillars of the Canada Health Act and their implications for health and wellness.

  • To differentiate between various points of health care access with examples.

  • To explain Canada health care reform and its significance to the well-being of Canadians.

  • To describe the importance of interprofessional practice within healthcare teams.

CANADIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

  • Organization and Responsibilities

    • The Canadian health care system is organized per constitutional guidelines.

    • Composed of services delivered by health professionals to eligible Canadian residents.

    • Ensures access to medically necessary insured services on a prepaid basis without direct charges.

  • Importance for Nurses

    • Understanding the healthcare system is crucial for nurses to navigate and address current challenges.

APPROACHES TO HEALTH CARE

1. Medical Approach

  • Historical Context

    • Predominantly influenced healthcare in early to mid-20th century.

    • Emphasized the curing of diseases through medical interventions.

  • Characteristics

    • Health problems viewed through a pathological lens, focusing largely on cure rather than prevention.

    • Heavy reliance on physicians and inpatient (hospital) care services.

    • Payment was typically out-of-pocket before 1966.

  • Risks of Medical Approach

    • A system solely focused on treatment could overlook preventive healthcare, eliciting questions about its long-term viability.

2. Behavioral Approach

  • Historical Context

    • Emerged in the 1970s as healthcare spending increased, but health outcomes did not significantly improve.

  • Key Report

    • The Lalonde Report (1974): Addressed broader health determinants beyond healthcare quality, identifying environment, biology, health services, and lifestyle as determinants.

  • Characteristics

    • Emphasizes individual responsibility and lifestyle choices for health outcomes.

3. Socio-Environmental Approach

  • Overview

    • Evolved from an understanding of social determinants of health (SDOH).

  • Key Characteristics

    • Builds on the behavioral approach but emphasizes the influence of social context and environment.

    • Recognizes health as self-defined, meaning individuals can be healthy even if they have certain diseases.

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH)

  • Definition

    • Non-medical factors influencing health outcomes, including economic policies, social norms, and living conditions. (WHO, 2021)

  • Examples of SDOH

    • Income and social protection, education, unemployment, food insecurity, housing conditions, early childhood development, and access to quality health services (WHO, 2021).

  • Impact of SDOH Research

    • Indicates that SDOH accounts for 30-55% of health outcomes, demonstrating their greater influence compared to healthcare or lifestyle choices in many cases.

Traditional Tips for Better Health (Raphael, 2016)

  1. Don't smoke; quit or reduce.

  2. Follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

  3. Stay physically active.

  4. Manage stress through talk therapy and relaxation.

  5. Drink alcohol in moderation.

  6. Protect against sun exposure.

  7. Practice safe sex.

  8. Utilize cancer screening opportunities.

  9. Prioritize road safety following guidelines.

  10. Learn First Aid basics (airways, breathing, circulation).

CANADA HEALTH ACT

  • Overview

    • The Act aims to protect, promote, and restore physical and mental well-being of residents, ensuring reasonable access to health services without financial barriers.

  • Federal Legislation

    • Governs how provinces receive federal funding and guarantees access to essential medical services for all Canadians, irrespective of their financial or health status.

FIVE PILLARS OF CANADA HEALTH ACT

  1. Public Administration

    • States that health care must be publicly funded and not for profit.

  2. Comprehensiveness

    • Medical services must be comprehensive and cover essential services.

  3. Universality

    • Must ensure all residents receive necessary health care without discrimination.

  4. Portability

    • Residents have coverage even if they move within Canada.

  5. Accessibility

    • Health services must be provided without financial or other barriers.

ORGANIZATION OF CANADA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

  • Federal Role

    • Provides support and regulatory functions through the Canada Health Act (CHA) and directly funds specific groups like veterans and Indigenous Peoples.

  • Provincial/Territorial Role

    • Responsible for planning and delivery of health care, which may include additional services not covered by the CHA (e.g., dental, vision).

POINTS OF CARE

  • Types of Health Care Access

    • Primary Health Care: Family doctor, nurse practitioner, public health unit.

    • Secondary Health Care: Referrals to specialists, community hospitals.

    • Tertiary Health Care: Acute care teaching hospitals.

    • Quaternary Health Care: Specialized acute care hospitals.

HEALTH CARE REFORM

  • Primary Health Care Reform

    • Focuses on team-based care and preventative health measures like telemedicine.

  • Secondary Health Care Reform

    • Involves restructuring hospitals and implementing electronic health records.

INTERPROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

  • Definition

    • Interprofessional care occurs when various healthcare providers collaborate to offer integrated services (Doane & Varcoe, 2020).

  • Importance

    • Facilitates high-quality care leading to improved health outcomes, reduced costs, and decreased errors.

MEMBERS OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM

  • Roles include:

    • Community Health Workers

    • Dieticians

    • Discharge Planners

    • Occupational therapists

    • Nurses/Nurse Practitioners

    • Personal Support Workers

    • Pharmacists

    • Physicians and Specialists

    • Social workers

    • Respiratory therapists

    • Spiritual care providers

  • Examples of Cases

    • Involvement of team in managing conditions like asthma, cognitive decline, and nutritional needs.

INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEETINGS

  • Importance of collaboration among team members in clinical settings to enhance patient care delivery and outcomes.