What is the Canadian health care system?
Publicly funded system providing universal access based on need, not ability to pay
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is the Canadian health care system? | Publicly funded system providing universal access based on need, not ability to pay |
What principle underlies the Canadian health system? | Equity and fairness |
What factors influence the healthcare system? | Population growth, demographics, societal changes, medical advances, public health emergencies |
Is Canadian healthcare publicly or privately funded? | Publicly funded (taxation) |
What legislation defines roles of government? | Constitution Act (1867) |
What level of government delivers most healthcare? | Provincial/territorial governments |
What is the federal government responsible for? | Funding, policy, regulation, health protection, research |
What services does the federal government directly provide? | Specific groups (Indigenous populations, military, veterans, inmates) |
What are provincial government responsibilities? | Deliver healthcare, manage hospitals, fund services, administer insurance |
What do provinces cover under insurance? | Hospital and physician services |
What services are NOT fully covered? | Drugs, dental, vision, ambulance (often private or supplemental) |
What are territorial government roles? | Same as provinces but with additional challenges (remote geography, fewer providers) |
What are the 5 principles of the Canada Health Act? | Public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, accessibility, portability |
What does “public administration” mean? | Non-profit system run by public authority |
What does “comprehensiveness” mean? | Covers all medically necessary services |
What does “universality” mean? | All citizens are covered equally |
What does “accessibility” mean? | No barriers to care (financial or otherwise) |
What does “portability” mean? | Coverage across provinces and when traveling |
What are insured health services? | Hospital, physician, and surgical-dental (in hospital) |
What is primary care? | First point of contact (family doctor) |
What are functions of primary care? | Diagnosis, treatment, prevention, referrals, coordination |
What is a key feature of primary care? | Gatekeeper to specialized services |
What is patient rostering? | Patients register with a provider for continuity of care |
What is secondary care? | Specialized services via referral (e.g., specialists) |
Where is secondary care delivered? | Hospitals or outpatient clinics |
What is tertiary care? | Highly specialized services (e.g., cancer treatment, cardiac surgery) |
What is quaternary care? | Highly advanced care and clinical research |
What is emergency care? | Immediate care for life-threatening or urgent conditions |
What is palliative care? | Care focused on comfort and support for chronic/life-limiting illness |
What is the structure of Alberta’s system (recent change)? | Shift from AHS single authority to multiple agencies |
What are the 4 Alberta health agencies? | Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta, Recovery Alberta |
What is Primary Care Alberta? | Provides first-contact care through PCNs |
What are PCNs? | Groups of healthcare professionals providing team-based care |
What is Acute Care Alberta? | Provides hospital-based acute services |
What is Covenant Health? | Partner organization providing healthcare services |
What is Assisted Living Alberta? | Provides housing and support for seniors/disabilities |
What is Recovery Alberta? | Provides mental health and addiction services |
What does AHCIP cover? | Basic medical services for residents |
What does AHCIP NOT cover? | Drugs, dental, vision, ambulance |
What is a major trend in healthcare delivery? | Shift to outpatient and community care |
What are major system challenges? | Aging population, costs, technology, COVID-19 |
What are the 4 main pressing issues in healthcare? | Equity, access, quality/safety, accountability/cost |
What is health equity? | Fair distribution of health and access |
What causes health inequities? | Social determinants (income, education, location) |
What populations experience inequities? | Indigenous, rural, low-income populations |
What is a major access issue? | Lack of family doctors |
What contributes to long wait times? | Overuse of ER, limited providers, aging population, COVID-19 |
Why do wait times matter? | They violate accessibility principle |
What is a consequence of poor access? | Increased ER use and delays in care |
What are solutions to reduce wait times? | More primary care, extended hours, better system efficiency |
What is quality of care? | Providing appropriate, safe, effective treatment |
What are examples of quality issues? | Infections, medication errors, inappropriate care |
Why do errors persist in healthcare? | Fear of reporting and accountability issues |
What is accountability in healthcare? | Responsibility for outcomes and use of public funds |
What is a challenge with accountability? | Blame shifting and lack of ownership |
What is a risk of cost control? | Cutting corners and reducing patient safety |
What is a key takeaway about the healthcare system? | It is complex, evolving, and influenced by multiple factors |