Home First Program in Markham Stouffville Hospital

Health care expenditure accounted for an estimated 11% (214.9 billion) of Canada’s GDP in 2014 (CIHI, 2014). Canada boasts a universal, cost-effective and fair health care system to its citizens (Picard, 2010). However, despite great claims and large expenses incurred Canada’s health care system has been reported inefficient in it’s delivery to the population (Davis, Schoen, & Stremikis, 2010; Picard, 2010). As inconsistencies exist in health care delivery across the country, choosing priorities for the health of the Canadian people becomes of vital importance. In Ontario, progress toward a better health care system has been stated to be moving forward by putting the needs of the “patient’s first” (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care [MOHLTC], 2015). This policy brief will give a background of health care issues in Canada related to Ontario. Three evidence-based priorities will be suggested for Ontario’s health policy agenda for the next three to five years. Furthermore, through a critical analysis of these issues a recommendation of the top priority issue for the agenda will be presented.

It is expected that with the baby boomers significantly using the health care dollars, the provinces and territories will end up spending 60% of their GDP on health care services which accounts to $530 billion dollars of debt ( Robson, 2001). This discrepancy will put pressure on the federal government and encourage provincial policy makers to rely more on the federal government for funding instead of finding their own way to manage their health care systems better. Population aging affects the demand for and costs of health care services, given that seniors account for about 45% of provincial/ government health care dollars (Ng,Sanmartin,Tu, Manuel, 2014, pg 15). Seniors are not only the largest user group of health care, but their hospital visits and admissions are higher than any other age group. This is merely because seniors tend to have more chronic conditions which derive them to use the health care services. Due to the health care problems that many seniors face, it is important to address the future directions in which the sustainability of the universal health care resides.

This paper will discuss the Canadian healthcare system compared to the United States healthcare system. Although they’re close in proximity, these two nations have very different health care systems. Each healthcare system has its own difficulties, and is currently trying to find ways to improve. Canada currently uses the Universal Health Care system; which provides healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens (Canadian Health Care, 2007). The services are executed on both a territorial and provincial basis, by staying within the guidelines that have been enforced by the federal government (Canadian Health Care, 2007).

I have identified the aging population (greater than 55 years of age) in Chatham/Kent, Ontario (in a community I am familiar and work within); a population on the rise and with minimal government and Ministry of Health support that enables seniors to maintain quality of life,

By 2056 it is expected one in four Canadians will be 65 years or older, compared to 13 per cent currently. This will put a huge strain on the country’s health care system (Macleans, 2008 p.2). The future of Canada’s health care system is at great risk due to its aging population. This is triggering a shortage of physicians, particularly anesthesiologists, in some provinces of Canada (Canadian Medicine Journal, 2007). Anesthesiologists are specialist physicians who provide critical care to patients in a number of health programs: operative anesthesia for patients in all surgical subspecialties, acute pain management, procedural anesthesia, obstetrical care, and high-risk medical management, chronic pain

The effectiveness of a health system varies upon populations and the differences in cultural, socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Canadians live two to three years longer than Americans, but because they live healthier. In the U.S. there is a relatively high incidence of obesity and this leads to poor health outcomes. There is greater success of survival rate in the U.S. due to the availability of innovative technology and better screenings and treatments (O'Neill & O'Neill, 2007). When care is free there are longer waiting times for medical services and needs are not being met on time. Over the years Canada has seen an issue with controlling health expenditures because of the services that are provided and are free of charge due to their universal plan. In the U.S costs are cited as a source of unmet needs (O'Neill & O'Neill, 2007). In the U.S. there lower wait times to see a specialists and get surgery. In the U.S. unmet needs were because of costs

To properly reduce these wait times in Canada and to bring it up to par with the international average, Canada will need to start changing things province by province. This will ensure all citizens, especially our older adults, are receiving the best possible care. Some changes could be financial incentives, policies, increase available resources, and implement new technologies to increase patient flow (CIHI, 2012).

Another growing issue that Canada faces in regard to the state of its healthcare is the global shortage of physicians and nurses. With the population continually getting larger, and older, medical personnel, in particular nurses, are becoming completely overwhelmed. Not only is the global nursing shortage having a negative effect on patients, nurses are being overworked to compensate for lack of staff. Since 2002, “...the nursing shortage has been termed a global crisis.”. (Sage Publications). The “supply and demand” of nurses must be met appropriately to ensure the future of Canada’s current healthcare

Chronic diseases are a significant and growing challenge in Canada. They are the leading cause of death, disability and account for about two thirds of the overall burden of disease (1). According to the Canadian Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada for 2009, one in four Canadians had at least two concurrent chronic conditions (2). In 2011, approximately 5 million Canadians were 65 years of age or older accounting for 15% of the total population (3). Improvements in survival and an aging population contribute to the increasing

The SON’s philosophy will be learning should be fun, interesting, engaging, interactive, and challenging. Because faculty, students, and patients whole and complex beings, the SON will incorporate the art and science of nursing to prepare students to provide ethical, holistic, and culturally competent care. The SON’s goal will be to facilitate transition to practice by incorporating concepts including accountability, provision and coordination of care, advocacy, and collaboration. The SON’s purpose will be to prepare students to meet the diverse and dynamic healthcare needs of individuals, families, groups, and

As we continue on with Canada’s healthcare system, we wanted to go into their system within specifically to see what do they cover when treating a disease compared to the United States of America. Since, everyone had presented the topic of most concern, heart disease, knowing that it is a huge epidemic within each country. In Canada, their top ten causes of death include, from the highest to the lowest are ischemic heart disease (13.8%); Alzheimer’s and other dementias (9.5%); trachea, bronchus, lung cancers (8.1%); stroke (5.4%); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.5%); colon and rectum cancers (3.7%); diabetes mellitus (2.7%); lower respiratory infections (2.3%); breast cancer (2.2%); and falls (1.9%) (World Health Organization,

Introduction Patricia Benner’s Model of Skill Acquisition in Nursing Despite our level of expertise or achievements, we all to some degree remember what it was like to be at the beginning of our career. Nursing is continuously evolving with the help of advances in technology and research. Interventions are being created, edited, and sometimes thrown out after new evidenced-based practice is implemented. The chance to learn new skills are available for nurses worldwide.

Nurses have many jobs and one of those jobs is being an educator to their patients. Through patient teaching nurse’s assistance patients and their families in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle plan. As nurses it is our responsibility to educate our patients and their families about their health issues, treatment plans, medications, and when to seek medical attention. Effective patient teaching plays a huge role in the health outcomes of patients and their safety. Nurses spend the most time with patients, they assess and see the “whole picture,” which helps them form a plan of care for each individual patient. Nurses see firsthand what patients need, such as home health, assistive devices, help with medication expenses, transportation, and any other resources a patient may need to be able to maintain effective health behaviors. As a result of effective health teaching to patients, it cuts down on readmissions to the hospital, which in turn helps lower the cost for hospitals and overall health care.

“Given the current structure of health care in the United States, nurses, in particular, are often responsible for designing and implementing plans and procedures for improving health education and encouraging wellness” (Bastable, 2013). As nurses, we have to teach the patient to take more responsibilities or accountability regarding their health. If the patient is mentally challenge or a minor, the educational teaching has to extend to the responsible party. We must first consider the patient readiness to learn and assess their learning needs. I believe finding out your patient needs, concerns, learning preferences, and readiness to learn, is an effective way of communicating with the patient. When the nurse discovers the patient needs

Canada is already challenged, by lack of resources especially if analyzed with the current population of the United States. Recently the Canadian government faces federal deficits reducing the equitable cash in their health care system. Administrators in Canada are challenged by budget deficits and cannot operate to full capacity. This shortage leaves them short staffed with limited technology to service their entire population. A recent government study indicated that 4.3 million Canadian adults – or 18 % of those who saw a doctor in 2001 – reported they had difficulty seeing a doctor or getting a test or surgery done