It is the intent of faculty to facilitate student learning, and promote critical inquiry, reflection and analytical reasoning through a variety of learning processes such as: practice based scenarios, debates/dialogue with various levels of government officials and/or health care leaders, attending and/or participating in video conferencing of relevant health care meetings, lecture, and small group discussions.
In this course, selected concepts related to health care reform are discussed using primary health care as a foundation. Concepts and essential content that will be addressed relative to these topics are listed below. In addition, the core curriculum concepts are integrated in this course.
Overview of current Canadian health care context
- Ministry of Health, Canada Health Act – Annual Report
- Structure and organization of Canadian and Provincial Health Care System
- Federal and Provincial Ministries of Health
- Health Authorities’ regional profiles
- Health Authorities’ service plans
- Interprofessional collaboration among health care professionals locally and internationally to achieve the goals/outcomes of Health Authorities’ service plans
- Emerging trends/issues and the need for health care reform
Factors influencing the current Canadian health care context
- Historical
- Economic
- Cultural
- Political
- Social
- Legal/legislation (Health Professions Act, Health Accord)
Framework for influencing health care reform
- Primary health care
- Accessible health care, including remote and rural community access
- Quality health care including the health care of vulnerable populations such as aboriginal peoples
- Cost effective
- Client-centered
- Emphasis on clients’ wellness, illness prevention and poverty reduction
- Coordinated client care by educated health care professionals/interprofessional collaboration
- Public participation
- Health innovation
- Multisectoral approach
- Role of the multidisciplinary health care team
Emerging Trends/Issues in Global Health Care Systems
- World Health Organization
- Critical examination of health care reform in selected countries
- Global health contributions/initiatives to health care reform and their impact on the Canadian health care system
Concepts/strategies related to health care reform
- Advocacy
- Change theory and practice
- Health care partnerships
- Health literacy
- Health related research
- Interprofessional collaboration (review)
- Leadership theory and practice
- Organizations
- Type and structure
- Policy development
- Strategic planning and visioning
- Risk management
- Culture and environment
- Political action
- Role of the nurse
- Technology and innovative health care practices
Professional and supportive nursing practice environments
- Professional practice standards
- Quality assurance
- Quality improvement
At the end of this course, successful students will be able to:
- Describe the current Canadian health care system including: the historical, economic, cultural, political, legal and social contexts.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the emerging trends and issues within the current Canadian health care system.
- Explore selected emerging trends and issues in global health care contexts that could impact the Canadian health care system.
- Apply principles of primary health care to critically examine health care contexts globally and at the national and international level; provincial and territorial level; regional and municipal level; and agency and local level.
- Demonstrate beginning leadership skills to influence change and to participate in the reform of the Canadian health care system as it relates to their nursing practice.
- Participates in the creation and maintenance of a professional, safe, supportive and healthy practice environment for self, colleagues, clients, and their families.
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. A course evaluation schedule and other course evaluation information are provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester. This is a graded course.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.