Lecture 2 - The Canadian Health Care System

Question 1

Medicare

Answer 1

Canada’s social safety net, the provision of hospital and medical insurance funded by general taxation

interlocking set of 10 provincial and 3 territorial insurance schemes providing essential hospital and physician services to insured individuals –> each province and territory decides what “essential” entails

Question 2

provincial social assistance programs

Answer 2

provide income support for those who experience prolonged unemployment

Question 3

federal employment insurance program

Answer 3

provides income support for short-term employment interruptions

Question 4

Principles of the Canada Health Act (6)

Answer 4

1. Accessibility - available to all eligible residents
2. Public Administration - provincial and territorial plans operate on a non-profit basis through public authority
3. Comprehensiveness - must cover all “medically necessary” services
4. Universality - includes all registered residents without discrimination
5. Portability - ensures resident’s access to health care when traveling or moving to another province (coverage for 3 months)
6. Sustainability

Question 5

Federal Government’s Responsibility for Health Care

Answer 5

responsible primarily for enforcing the Canada Health Act, financing and delivering services to target groups, and maintaining national policies and programs

1. Administer the Canada Health Act
2. Assist in financing provincial and territorial health care services
3. Deliver or co-deliver health services for targeted groups
4. Provide national policy and programming for health promotion and disease prevention

Question 6

Provincial/ Territorial Responsibility for Health Care

Answer 6

the administration and delivery of healthcare services is primarily provincial and territorial responsibility

1. Develop and administer its own insurance plan in compliance with the principles of the Canada Health Act
2. Determine the organization and location of health care facilities
3. Reimburse physician and hospital expenses

Question 7

Professional Jurisdiction of Health Care

Answer 7

most health care professionals are self-regulated which allows them to determine, monitor and manage standards in relation to competencies and ethics

some are regulated through government groups or other mechanisms

Question 8

Primary Health Care

Answer 8

foundation of Canada’s health care system –> supports community care (population health)

• the first point of contact in the system of nonurgent/ emergent care
• strong emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention

Question 9

Four Pillars of Primary Health Care

Answer 9

1. Teams - delivered in team
2. Access - accessible to all and timely
3. Information - easy access to accurate information and resources
4. Healthy Living - focus on disease prevention and health promotion

Question 10

Barriers to Primary Health Care

Answer 10

1. Individual level barriers - lack of access, inconsistent health care providers, gender issues, determinants of health
2. Practice level barriers - hours, availability, resource constraints, lack of providers
3. System level barriers - not a competent primary health care model, digital constraints (ex. charting)

Question 11

Levels of Health Care

Answer 11

Level 1 - Health Promotion
Level 2 - Disease and Injury Prevention
Level 3 - Diagnosis and Treatment
Level 4 - Rehabilitation
Level 5 - Supportive Care

Question 12

Health Care Level 1 - Health Promotion

Answer 12

enabling people to have more control over their own health using the 5 action strategies for health promotion

1. building health public policies
2. creating supportive environments
3. strengthening community action
4. developing personal skills
5. reorienting health care services

Question 13

Health Care Level 2 - Disease and Injury Prevention

Answer 13

implemented at both individual and population levels to reduce risk factors for disease and injury using prevention strategies

• clinical actions
• behavioral aspects
• environmental actions

Question 14

Health Care Level 3 - Diagnosis and Treatment

Answer 14

diagnosing and treating patients at three sublevels of health care

1. Primary Care - first point of contact within the health care system, decides a course of action for preexisting or potential health problems
2. Secondary care - occurring in a hospital or home setting, involves specialized medical services
3. Tertiary Care - specialized technical care involving the diagnosis and treatment of complicated health problems (specialized hospitals, physicians, and equipment)

Question 15

Health Care Level 4 - Rehabilitation

Answer 15

focused on improving health and quality of life for those facing life altering conditions (physical injury, mental health, injury, addiction)

Services include:
- physiotherapy
- occupational and speech therapy
- social services

Question 16

Health Care Level 5 - Supportive Care

Answer 16

available for clients with chronic illness, progressive illness, or disability

includes long-term care, assisted-living facilities, home care, respite care, palliative care