Healthcare Delivery Flashcards
Canada life expectancy compared to global averages
~11 years higher than
Canada: approximately 81 years
Current health challenges in Canada
(Read don’t have to memorize)
- 3/5 swathes are due to cancer or cardiovascular disease
- hypertension affects 1 in 4 people
- 1 in 5 people experience a mental health issue this year
History of Canada’s Health Care System
1948: Started by Tommy Douglas
(Medical Care Act), healthcare was “a right not a privilege”
1984: Medical care act was replaced by the Canada Health Act which exists today
5 guiding principles of the Canada Health Care Act (P.C.U.P.A)
- Public Administration - carried out by a public authority on a non-profit basis
- Comprehensiveness - all services considered necessary are included
- Universality - All residents are entitled to same level of health care
- Portability - residents who move provinces is still entitled coverage from their home province
- Accessibility - everyone who is covered has the same level of access
Pros to Canada Healthcare system
- High quality of people, places, equipment
- High quality of care
- Adequate resources
- Healthy IMR and longevity statistics
Cons to Canadas healthcare system
- Some of the longest wait times in the developed world
- Fewer physicians per capita (2.2 per 1000 population)
- Limited services and access in rural areas
- Greater focus on prevention is needed
Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC
- used through a care card
- MSP pays physicians for a “fee-for-service” model
- Fees replaced by Employer Health Tax
MSP does not cover:
- cosmetic surgery
- dental services
- eye examinations
- prescription drugs
Examples of Healthcare Providers
- Medical Doctors (M.D.s) - practitioners who hold a doctor of medicine degree
- Nurses - practitioners concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of human responses
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Podiatrists - practitioners who specialize in medical and surgical care of the feet
- Optometrists - practitioners who are trained to examine the eyes, detect eye diseases, and treat vision problems
Medicare Protections Act
Protects patients from “extra billing”.
* patients cannot be charged for consumables like gowns, equipment rentals, etc.
However, patients can be charged for items like crutches, etc.
What system does Canada operate on
‘Welfare state’ model: Universally accessible and public funded system for all
Socialist model (e.g. Cuba)
- It’s universally accessible, funded
However, the socialist healthcare system is overseen by the government
(employees of the government)
‘Free enterprise model’ (e.g. U.S.)
Healthcare facilities are part of the private sector, not publicly funded, no universal healthcare.
Some systems in place for individuals who cannot afford healthcare.
Ex. Obamacare
Medical rights
- Right to access medical records
- Receive treatment that provides a reasonable degree of care
- know the risks and benefits of a treatment
- give informed consent for hospitalization, surgery, any treatment
- give informed consent for any research study
- under certain specific conditions, elect for medical aid in dying
Self-medications
Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments is an important part of healthcare
OTC: medicines that are safe to take without a prescription
- highly effective in relieving symptoms
Ex. Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol
Complementary & Alternative medicine (CAM)
Focuses on the body, mind and spirit and is primarily based on healing traditions and accumulated experience
Ex. Meditation, traditional Chinese medicine
- does not have scientific and experimental evidence
