Course:DHYG404/grouptwo2009

DHYG 404 - Group 2

Hi Group 2,

Just checking in and seeing how this WIKI works. Don't know about the rest of you but I've never used this before. Anyways, looking forward to block 3.

Tina

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Hi Group 2,

I've taken what you posted in Group 3's Wiki John and added too it. Keeping things to 400 words is HARD:( I have some strong opinions when it comes to the medical system but want to save some of it for the debate once each group has posted. John, you intro paragraph is phenomenal!

John: Thanks for pointing out my error for posting on group 3 Wiki. I have made some grammatical changes to my paragraphs and is updated now. Our document already stands at about 402 words withoug the reference. So feel free anyone to delete/add/modify some information here to keep it under 400 words or we can put some ideas first and then try to summarize later as well by tomorrow night. Thank you

Here is what it looks like so far:

In order for our health care system to better service Canadians across the country, some components within our system should be renovated in order to better align with the needs and values of Canadians. First of all, in order to better achieve the fundamental Canadian value of equality of access to care, diagnostic services should be explicitly included under the definition of “insured health services” under a new Canada Health Act by using the new Diagnostic Services Fund (1). This will shorten the wait lists for diagnostic test and prevent the “queue-jump” of those who have privately purchased their MRI (1). We know that receiving treatment should be based on the needs and not on the ability to pay out of their own pockets. Additionally, Canadians value their right of informed choice regarding their health care. A great emphasis has been on health services received at home outside of traditional institutional sites such as hospitals. Therefore, revising the “Canada Health Act to include coverage for home care services in priority” such as for palliative care and terminal illnesses is necessary (1). As a majority of Canadians choose to spend their last months receiving care at home, the support by family members should be recognized by allowing “informal caregivers to take time off work and to qualify for special benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance program" just like taking time off for maternity leave(1).

Romanow states Canadians support the core values that our current health care system is premised; equity, fairness, and solidarity. In order to help Canadians keep faith in this system there needs to be some changes that involve letting Canadians have a voice when it comes to health care. Canadians should be informed of, health care budgets, wait lists, doctors, nurses, and whether the gaps in home and community care services are being closed; whether the number of diagnostic machines and tests is adequate; and whether treatment outcomes are improving. (1) There needs to be more cohesiveness and solidarity from province to province in order to follow the core values of equity and fairness. For example, each province pays different premiums for medical, and this does not create a fair playing field for all Canadians. Instead, if everyone pays the same premiums and money is allotted to a funding pot that is then dispersed to each province depending on people per ca pita, there is more fairness, equity and solidarity.

1. Romanow, RJ. Building on Values: The Future of Health Care in Canada – Final Report. [document on the Internet]. Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada; 2002 [cited 2009 Sep 15]. Available from http://www.cbc.ca/healthcare/final_report.pdf.

Tina

Hi Group 2,

I guess we can amalgamate all info when Elena posts her up! Unfortunately I will not be able to come online tomorrow, but I'm free on Thursday! And here is what I have.

The core Canadian values are equity, fairness and solidarity (1). In order to achieve these values, it is important to examine the sustainability of our health care system (1). First, it is recommended by the Commissioner to start home care as a publicly insured service so the burden of medical cost will lessen (1). Second, to make the system nationally unified on the level of same methods of payment, delivery and outcomes will provide equal care for anyone in any provinces or territories (1). In addition, to create a more comprehensive system ensuring health care professionals to work together more collaboratively will ensure better care and efficiency (1). Last, we need to inform Canadians of the detail of the health care budgets, hospital beds, doctors, and wait list, etc (1). A transparent information sharing will allow for Canadians to believe in our system more and health care providers can be held accountable (1).

Amanda

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Hi group 2

I've amalgamated what Amanda has summarized and we are still within the limit. I was just wondering though if we are supposed to put ideas of how we think the medical system needs to change? Let me know what you guys think?

Tina

In order for our health care system to better service Canadians across the country, some components within our system should be renovated in order to better align with the needs and values of Canadians. First of all, in order to better achieve the fundamental Canadian value of equality of access to care, diagnostic services should be explicitly included under the definition of “insured health services” under a new Canada Health Act by using the new Diagnostic Services Fund (1). This will shorten the wait lists for diagnostic test and prevent the “queue-jump” of those who have privately purchased their MRI (1). We know that receiving treatment should be based on the needs and not on the ability to pay out of their own pockets. Additionally, Canadians value their right of informed choice regarding their health care. A great emphasis has been on health services received at home outside of traditional institutional sites such as hospitals. Therefore, revising the “Canada Health Act to include coverage for home care services in priority” such as for palliative care and terminal illnesses is necessary (1). As a majority of Canadians choose to spend their last months receiving care at home, the support by family members should be recognized by allowing “informal caregivers to take time off work and to qualify for special benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance program" just like taking time off for maternity leave(1).

The core Canadian values are equity, fairness and solidarity (1). In order to achieve these values, it is important to examine the sustainability of our health care system (1). First, it is recommended by the Commissioner to start home care as a publicly insured service so the burden of medical cost will lessen (1). Second, to make the system nationally unified on the level of same methods of payment, delivery and outcomes will provide equal care for anyone in any provinces or territories (1). In addition, to create a more comprehensive system ensuring health care professionals to work together more collaboratively will ensure better care and efficiency (1). Last, we need to inform Canadians of the detail of the health care budgets, hospital beds, doctors, and wait list, etc (1). A transparent information sharing will allow for Canadians to believe in our system more and health care providers can be held accountable (1).

1. Romanow, RJ. Building on Values: The Future of Health Care in Canada – Final Report. [document on the Internet]. Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada; 2002 [cited 2009 Sep 15]. Available from http://www.cbc.ca/healthcare/final_report.pdf.

Hi Shannon,

Here is the latest response. Feel free to add anything!

Amanda

In order for our health care system to better service Canadians across the country, some components within our system should be renovated in order to better align with the needs and values of Canadians including equity, fairness, solidarity and right of informed choice (1). First of all, in order to better achieve the fundamental Canadian value of equality of access to care, diagnostic services should be explicitly included under the definition of “insured health services” under a new Canada Health Act by using the new Diagnostic Services Fund (1). This will shorten the wait lists for diagnostic test and prevent the “queue-jump” of those who have privately purchased their MRI (1). We know that receiving treatment should be based on the needs and not on the ability to pay out of their own pockets. The sustainability of the health care system needs to be examined as well (1). Additionally, Canadians value their right of informed choice regarding their health care. A great emphasis has been on health services received at home outside of traditional institutional sites such as hospitals. It is recommended by the Commissioner to start home care as a publicly insured service so the burden of medical cost will lessen (1). Therefore, revising the “Canada Health Act to include coverage for home care services in priority” such as for palliative care and terminal illnesses is necessary (1). As a majority of Canadians choose to spend their last months receiving care at home, the support by family members should be recognized by allowing “informal caregivers to take time off work and to qualify for special benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance program" just like taking time off for maternity leave(1). Furthermore, to make the system nationally unified on the level of same methods of payment, delivery and outcomes will provide equal care for anyone in any provinces or territories and promote solidarity (1). In addition, to create a more comprehensive system ensuring health care professionals to work together more collaboratively will ensure better care and efficiency (1). Last, we need to inform Canadians of the detail of the health care budgets, hospital beds, doctors, and wait list, etc (1). A transparent information sharing will allow for Canadians to believe in our system more and health care providers can be held accountable (1).

Thanks Amanda,

I am so sorry my contibution his week has been so limited....I couldn't even figure out how to work this page!

Anyways the above response looks good there is just a few grammatical errors I have fixed it and reposted it below: (In fact there is a few more, but I am so tired, and I undestand the struggle to stay within the word limit :) Thanks for all of your hardwork thus far.:)

In order for our health care system to better service Canadians across the country, some components within our system should be renovated in order to better align with the needs and values of Canadians. These values include equity, fairness, solidarity and the right of informed choice (1). First of all, in order to better achieve the fundamental Canadian value of equality of access to care, diagnostic services should be explicitly included under the definition of “insured health services” under a new Canada Health Act by using the new Diagnostic Services Fund (1). This will shorten the wait lists for diagnostic test and prevent the “queue-jump” of those who have privately purchased their MRI (1). We feel that receiving treatment should be based on the needs of the patient and not on the ability to pay out of their own pockets. The sustainability of the health care system needs to be examined as well (1). Additionally, Canadians value their right of informed choice regarding their health care. A great emphasis has been on health services received at home outside of traditional institutional sites such as hospitals. It is recommended by the Commissioner to start home care as a publicly insured service so the burden of medical cost will lessen (1). Therefore, revising the “Canada Health Act to include coverage for home care services in priority”, such as for palliative care and terminal illnesses, is necessary (1). As a majority of Canadians choose to spend their last months receiving care at home, the support by family members should be recognized by allowing “informal caregivers to take time off work and to qualify for special benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance program" This would be simalar to taking time off for maternity leave(1). Furthermore, to make the system nationally unified on the level of same methods of payment, delivery and outcomes. This will provide equal care for anyone in regardless of province or territory and promote solidarity (1). In addition, to create a more comprehensive system ensuring health care professionals to work together more collaboratively will ensure better care and efficiency (1). Last, we need to inform Canadians of the detail of the health care budgets, hospital beds, doctors, and wait list, etc (1). A transparent information sharing will allow for Canadians to believe in our system more and health care providers can be held accountable (1).

Goodnight, Shannon

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Thanks Shannon,

I will incorporate you're material.

Tina