Course Description
Students will be introduced to the components of health and wellness and how health care is delivered in Canada. Concepts of health and illness will be addressed as well as the inherent cost, structure and function of the Canadian health care system at regional, provincial, federal and international levels. Students will explore data requirements and uses, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the HIM profession in this evolving system.
Course Content
- Concepts pertaining to the health care system in Canada with a focus on health data, information management, and the inherent roles and responsibilities of the HIM professional
- The evolution of health care in Canada including the establishment of the health insurance model, the development of the Canada Health Act, and the related criteria and conditions
- Key concepts of health, wellness, illness, disease, and disability including the perceptions and psychology of health, and the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Canada
- Population health and the key determinants of health. Also, explore the use of these as indicators in the population health promotion model
- The federal and provincial jurisdictional framework in Canada, the basic principles of consent, data security, and privacy, and specifically how these pertain to the HIM profession
- The parameters that define ethics, morals, values, and duties in health care
- The organization and responsibilities of Health Canada and the structural elements of provincial and territorial governments in health care
- The levels and mechanisms of health care funding in Canada
- The categories and regulation of health care providers in Canada
- The current issues and future trends in health care in Canada
Learning Activities
Some or all of the following methods will be used:
- lecture/discussion
- group work
- group discussions and exercises
- independent research
- quizzes
- instructor feedback on students' work
- individual consultation
- presentation (individual or group)
Means of Assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course. All assignments must be completed to pass the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Describe the key concepts of health, wellness, illness, disease, and disability;
- Explain the main models of health;
- Explain the key concepts of population health and describe the main determinants of health;
- Describe health care legislation and classifications and the related federal and provincial jurisdictional framework;
- Apply legal considerations for data security and confidentiality in an electronic and hybrid environment;
- Apply ethical theories and considerations in health care;
- Understand basic objectives and responsibilities of Health Canada;
- Describe the structural elements of provincial and territorial governments in health care;
- Outline the levels and mechanisms of health care funding in Canada;
- Discuss categories and regulations of health care providers in Canada;
- Examine the current issues and future trends in health care in Canada.
Textbook Materials
A list of required and optional textbooks, materials, and electronic applications is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.