The Toward a Healthcare Strategy for Canadians (Volume 2) (Queen's Policy Studies Series)

While Canadians are proud of their healthcare system, the reality is that it is fragmented and disorganized. Instead of a pan-Canadian system, it is a "system of systems" - thirteen provincial and territorial systems and a federal system. As a result, Canadian healthcare has not only become one of the costliest in the world, but is falling well behind many developed countries in terms of quality. Canadians increasingly realize that their healthcare system is no longer fiscally sustainable, yet change remains elusive. The standard claim is that Canada's multijurisdictional approach makes system-wide reform nearly impossible. Toward a Healthcare Strategy for Canadians disputes this reasoning, making the case for a comprehensive, system-wide, made-in-Canada healthcare strategy. It looks at the mechanics of change and suggests ways in which the various participants in the system - governments, healthcare professionals, the private sector, and patients - can work collaboratively to transform a second-rate system. Addressing critical issues of health human resources, electronic health records, integrated care, and pharmacare, Toward a Healthcare Strategy for Canadians shows how a system-wide strategic approach to this crucial policy area can make a difference in Canada's healthcare system in the future. Why Canadians Need A System-wide Healthcare Strategy / A. Scott Carson -- Canadian Blood Services As An Example Of A Canadian Healthcare Strategy / Graham D. Sher -- System-wide Healthcare Reform : The Australian Experience / Justin Beilby, Steve Hambleton, And Michael Reid -- The Need For A Pan-canadian Health Human Resources Strategy And Coordinated Action Plan / Ivy Lynn Bourgeault [and Others] -- Toward A Coordinated Electronic Health Record (ehr) Strategy For Canada / Francis Lau, Morgan Price, And Jesdeep Bassi -- Integrating Care For Persons With Chronic Health And Social Needs / Walter P. Wodchis, A. Paul Williams, And Gustavo Mery -- No Undue Hardship : A Way Forward For Canadian Pharmacare / Jeffrey Dixon -- Moving Forward On Universal Pharmacare In Canada : Should We Regulate Private Insurers In A Managed Competition Model To Achieve Our Goals? / Colleen M. Flood, Bryan Thomas And Ryan Tanner -- Academic Networks For The Evaluation Of Health Policy And System Performance / Gregory P. Marchildon -- Politics And The Healthcare Policy Arena In Canada : Diagnosing The Situation, Evaluating Solutions / Antonia Maioni -- Health Policy Reform In Canada : Bridging Policy And Politics / Don Drummond -- If Canada Had A Health Care Strategy, What Form Could It Take? / A. Scott Carson. Edited By A. Scott Carson, Jeffrey Dixon, And Kim Richard Nossal. Includes Bibliographical References. Issued Also In Electronic Format. Canadians increasingly realize that their healthcare system is no longer fiscally sustainable, yet change remains elusive. The standard claim is that Canada's multijurisdictional approach makes system-wide reform nearly impossible. Toward a Healthcare Strategy for Canadians disputes this reasoning, making the case for a comprehensive, system-wide, made-in-Canada healthcare strategy. It looks at the mechanics of change and suggests ways in which the various participants in the system - governments, healthcare professionals, the private sector, and patients - can work collaboratively to transform a second-rate system. --Publisher description A comprehensive look at reforming Canada's mediocre public healthcare system from a system-wide strategic perspective.