The Canada Health Act (CHA) of 1984 was enacted with the mandate “to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers” (L. Hughes- Marsh, personal communication, September 20, 2010). The Act has five principles: public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility (Canadian Health Care, 2004). The CHA principles have assisted in creating the universal, glorious and free healthcare system that historically Canadians have been so proud to adopt as part of their identity. The 2010 Report Card however, suggests that this attitude is shifting. When compared with six other developed nations on the performance of their healthcare systems, Canada ranked sixth, only placing ahead of the United States, the one country that did not have universal healthcare coverage; factors measured include: quality of care, access, efficiency, equity and health outcomes. These findings suggest that Canadians no longer hold the same value for their once glorified, universal healthcare system. Instead, the system receives an abundance of criticism for its inability to provide quality care to all citizens and is thus currently facing many challenges and structural reforms. This report will outline three recommendations to improve the current Canadian healthcare system: going lean in healthcare, establishing universal prescription drug coverage programs and incorporating virtual health practices into the Canadian healthcare system.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Canadian Healthcare: A Brief Overview
- Recommendation One
- Going Lean in Healthcare
- Recommendation Two
- Universal Prescription Drug Coverage
- Recommendation Three
- Incorporating Virtual Health Practices
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This report examines the challenges facing the Canadian healthcare system and proposes three recommendations for improvement: going lean in healthcare, implementing universal prescription drug coverage, and integrating virtual health practices. The objective is to enhance the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of healthcare services in Canada.
- Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Healthcare Delivery
- Expanding Access to Healthcare Services, Including Prescription Drugs
- Leveraging Technology to Enhance Healthcare Delivery and Patient Outcomes
- Adopting Lean Principles to Reduce Waste and Improve Productivity
- Addressing the Growing Demand and Costs of Healthcare Services
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section provides a brief overview of the Canadian healthcare system, including its history, key principles, and current challenges. It highlights the need for improvement and sets the stage for the three recommendations outlined in the report.
- Recommendation One: Going Lean in Healthcare: This chapter explores the concept of lean thinking, originally developed in the manufacturing industry, and its potential application to the healthcare sector. It emphasizes the importance of eliminating waste and focusing on value-added activities to improve efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction.
- Recommendation Two: Universal Prescription Drug Coverage: This chapter advocates for the implementation of universal prescription drug coverage programs to ensure equitable access to necessary medications for all Canadians. It discusses the benefits of such programs, including improved health outcomes and reduced financial burdens on individuals and the healthcare system.
- Recommendation Three: Incorporating Virtual Health Practices: This chapter examines the benefits of integrating virtual health practices into the Canadian healthcare system, such as telehealth and e-health. It discusses how these technologies can enhance patient access, improve communication, and reduce costs while ensuring high-quality care.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main focus of this report is on improving the Canadian healthcare system through strategic recommendations. Key themes include lean thinking, universal prescription drug coverage, virtual health practices, efficiency, accessibility, quality of care, and healthcare costs. The report aims to provide a framework for enhancing the Canadian healthcare system by exploring and promoting innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.
- Quote paper
- Deanna Di Gregorio (Author), 2010, Strategies to Improve the Canadian Healthcare System, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/164839