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1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada: Innovations in Delivering Services to Vulnerable Populations Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Conference 2007 St. John ‘s, Newfoundland and Labrador July 13, 2007

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Page 1: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

1Canadian Policy Research Networks

Canadian PolicyResearch Networks

Judi Varga-Toth

Assistant Director, Social Development

Frontline Health Care in Canada:Innovations in Delivering Services to

Vulnerable Populations

Canadian Association of Occupational TherapistsConference 2007

St. John ‘s, Newfoundland and Labrador

July 13, 2007

Page 2: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 2

Overview

• Project investigated: – Access to primary health care services for people in

rural, remote and northern regions, and inner-city

areas

– Issues and challenges for vulnerable populations

– Innovations in service delivery by frontline health

care workers, in context of challenging conditions

and demands

Page 3: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 3

Partnership

• Collaboration between the private sector and the non-profit sector:

• Project Phases

• Successes and challenges

• Future avenues

Page 4: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 4

Vulnerable Populations

• Rural, remote and northern– Poorer health status and greater need for primary

health care

– Large gaps in service availability (e.g. mental health,

addictions, cancer, OT/PT, trauma, dental, maternity)

– Challenges of geography, weather, isolation

– Recruitment and retention of health care workers

Page 5: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 5

Vulnerable Populations

• Inner city and marginalized– Low levels of education, employment, access to

human and financial resources

– Health problems are often severe and complex,

complicated by poor housing, nutrition, oral health

– Particular populations are at risk; street youth,

homeless, immigrants and refugees, Aboriginal

Peoples

Page 6: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 6

Frontline Health Services

• Characteristics– Effective, responsive

– Delivery systems and mechanisms are not mainstream

– Workers are “specialists”

• Access points– Urban (hospital emergency departments, community

health centres, community services)

– Rural (family doctor, rural hospitals, CHCs, mobile

health units, nursing stations)

Page 7: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 7

Frontline Health Services

• Hospital Emergency Departments– Urban

– Rural

– Community Paramedicine

• Community Health Centres– Urban CHCs

– Aboriginal CHCs

– Rural CHCs

Page 8: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 8

Innovative Health Initiatives

• Target populations

• Appropriate care

• Delivery practices and systems

• Demands and resources

Page 9: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 9

Issues and Challenges

• Inadequate training

• Shortage of health care professionals

• Conflicting funding models

• Lack of integrated care

• Poor coverage of CHCs

• Inadequate services in the suburbs and rural/remote communities

Page 10: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 10

Policy Perspectives for Frontline Health

• Health Determinants

• Who is Responsible?

• Supporting Community Innovations

• Health Services, Access and “Wait Times”

Page 11: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 11

Summary

• Innovations in Delivery of Frontline Health Care Services

• Needs of Vulnerable Populations

• Appropriate Policy Perspective

Page 12: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 12

Read the full report

David Hay, Judi Varga-Toth and Emily Hines Frontline Health Care in Canada: Innovations in Delivering Services to Vulnerable Populations, Ottawa: Canadian Policy Research Networks, September 2006.

Available at www.CPRN.org

Page 13: 1 Canadian Policy Research Networks Canadian Policy Research Networks Judi Varga-Toth Assistant Director, Social Development Frontline Health Care in Canada:

Canadian Policy Research Networks 13

For additional information:

www.cprn.orge-mail: [email protected]

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Canadian PolicyResearch Networks