Former Saskatchewan Premier and national New Democratic Party leader T.C. (Tommy) Douglas in 1965. Douglas was instrumental in the creation of Medicare.
The Canadian Press
At the dawn of Medicare, Saskatchewan’s community co-op clinics pioneered team-based, holistic care. Now, with the health system in crisis 60 years later, it may be time to return to that care model.
Newfoundland and Labrador has implemented a tax of 20 cents per litre on sugary drinks.
(AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
Taxation of sugar-sweetened drinks is not only inequitable, but also has the potential to create or perpetuate weight stigma, which has negative effects on mental and physical health.
The transition from the supportive world of pediatric care to the adult system can be challenging for teens learning to manage chronic health conditions on their own.
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Aging out of the supportive world of pediatric care at a vulnerable time in life can pose risks to teens with chronic health conditions as they enter the resource-strapped adult care system.
Because of the difficulty in managing their care, patients with COPD have hospitalization rates 63 per cent higher than the general population, as well as 85 per cent more emergency department visits and 48 per cent more ambulatory care visits.
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Innovation in primary care for COPD patients has the potential to alleviate a significant strain on the health system by reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
Until the government acknowledges the critical role family physicians have in population health and on easing the burden on acute hospital care, pressures will only be relieved temporarily.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A strong primary care system keeps patients away from emergency departments and helps patients self-manage illnesses. But Ontario’s plan to ease pressure on emergency rooms ignores family medicine.
Many young adults with chronic health conditions transition to post-secondary school at or around the same time they are transitioning from pediatric to adult health care.
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Delirium doesn’t just harm vulnerable seniors. It prolongs hospital stays, ties up beds and clogs emergency rooms. Mandating senior-friendly hospital care protects patients and the health-care system.
Putting patients at the centre of care means seeing them as a whole person and treating them as a partner in their journey to better health.
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Person-centred care sees the patient as a whole, unique individual and puts them at the centre of their health decisions.
Several factors ranging from personal spiritual beliefs to patient relationships to medical legal issues can influence whether a health-care practitioner participates in providing medical assistance in dying (MAID).
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For people to access medical assistance in dying (MAID) requires health-care professionals willing to provide the service. The reasons health-care providers choose not to participate are important.
Common approaches used to encourage internationally educated health-care professionals to work in smaller communities often focus primarily on attraction, but do not address the reasons why they tend to leave.
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Small communities struggle to retain needed internationally educated health-care professionals. Challenges will persist until the compounding effects of social and professional isolation are addressed.
A national dental care program for low-income Canadians plans to launch coverage for children under age 12 in 2022.
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A national dental care program is welcome news, but raises several ‘billion-dollar’ questions about how the program will work and what will be covered. Here are seven principles to guide decisions.
Paramedics and ambulances spill out of the Emergency ramp at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Almost half of patients have poor understanding of their emergency department visit. Being aware of how the emergency department works can give patients the tools to have a smoother experience.
Most South Asian people with dementia and their care partners did not know the signs and symptoms of dementia before their diagnosis.
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People living with dementia in the South Asian community often face challenges accessing care because of a lack of culturally appropriate services, language barriers or perceived stigma about dementia
In addition to patient care, many doctors also have heavy administrative burdens, including insurance company requests and government forms that advocate for their patients’ needs, as well as all the challenges of running an office.
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Less than half of Canadians can see their doctor same-day, and millions don’t even have a family doctor. Improving access to care means providing doctors with the support they need to focus on patients.
Intensive care nurse Kathryn Ivey’s Tweet illustrates the impact of the pandemic on health-care workers. Used with permission.
@kathryniveyy/Twitter
Rates of burnout have increased alarmingly among health-care workers during the pandemic. Unless the system provides more support to its already depleted workforce, staff shortages may get worse.
Rates of burnout and stress are high among doctors and other health-care providers.
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By 2030, the WHO projects a worldwide workforce shortfall of about 18 million health-care workers, with potentially deadly consequences for patients, economies and our communities.
With more health resources devoted to COVID-19, non-COVID patients may have unmet health-care needs, which predict poorer health in the future.
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With COVID-19 placing heavy demands on the health-care system, non-COVID patients may struggle to access care, putting women, people in poor health and those without a regular doctor at risk.
Flowers sit on a bench in front of Orchard Villa care home in Pickering, Ont. on April 27, 2020.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
People living in long-term care facilities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in Canada. A new report analyzing long-term care around the world assesses Canada’s pandemic performance.
Although polyamorous families provide great support for themselves internally, they report experiencing marginalization within the health-care system and fear of judgment by health-care providers.
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Having multiple romantic partners also offers greater financial and logistical support when raising children, according to research with polyamorous families.
There needs to be more focus on treating people before they need a hospital.
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