UNIT 1

Introduction to health care

UNIT 1

Introduction to health care

The health care system is one of the pillars of Canadian society. What makes up the health care system in Canada? How is it structured? Who funds it? How? As a practical nurse, you are an essential part of the Canadian health care system. Where do you fit? Most of us believe that everyone has the right to health care. What does that mean to you? We have lots of ideas to explore! Let’s get started ….

OUR LEARNING OUTCOMES This unit will give you an opportunity to: • Comprehend the current Canadian

Healthcare system and issues related to Global Health.

• Demonstrate respectful, appropriate professional behaviour and effective interpersonal interactions with others in the learning environment in accordance with their standards of practice as well as the protocol outlined in NSCC Great Expectations.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Introduction to health care ....................1 Learning activities ..................................2 Review questions ..................................4 Personal coat of arms ............................5 Extend your learning ..............................6

Learning activities (tentative) To complete this unit, you’re expected to:

GET READY Read the appropriate chapter(s) in your textbook. Check your schedule for details. Post your questions to the discussion board.

To prepare for the activities in this unit, answer the review questions in this unit. (You don’t need to submit them.). Answering these questions will also help you prepare for upcoming tests.

ACTIVITY 1 Burning questions

Take a look at all your study guides and course materials in TLM. Click on the sidebar links to find handouts and other resources. (You might find it helpful to print out your course materials and organize them in a binder.) WHAT TO POST What’s one burning question you have about this course before we begin? If someone else posts a question that you can answer, go for it! Continue to use this topic for any burning questions you may have throughout the course. RESPOND Respond to any question you can answer.

ACTIVITY 2 Coat of arms

What does health care mean to you? Here’s an opportunity for us to share our ideas about health and what it means to us. Understanding our own definitions of health lays the foundation for what we’ll learn in this course. WHAT TO POST Post your own personal Coat of Arms which represents your definition of health. Be creative! You can make a drawing & post a picture of it. You can post a short video. (Cell phone videos are ok!) Tell us about your design. How does it represent YOU? RESPOND Respond to at least one other learner. Whose values are similar to yours? Did anything surprise you? RESOURCES You’ll find a template at the end of this unit. Feel free to use it if it helps!

Review questions 1. Define the principles of the Canada Health Act (1984) (try

the link http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/pubs/system-regime/2011-hcs-sss/index-eng.php#a3 ). What are the five pillars of this act?

2. Trace the history of Canada’s national Medicare program (try the link http://medicare.ca/main/the-facts/the-history-of-medicare )

3. Outline how the Canadian health care system is structured and explain how it is funded

4. State the WHO’s definition of health

5. Define the following and give examples of services of health care at each level: • Primary health care • Secondary health care • Tertiary health care

6. State the difference between primary care and primary health care

7. Explain the role of each of the following in delivering health care in the community: • Public health • Physician’s offices • Community health centers and clinics • Assisted living • Home care • Adult Daycare centers • Community and voluntary agencies • Occupational health • Hospice/Palliative care • parish nursing

8. Using the internet and what you’ve learned by reading your textbook, identify some areas of health care reform in Canada. What factors drive health care reform?

9. Outline some global trends in healthcare. Indicate how these effect, relate to the Canadian healthcare system (consider technology, health workforce utilization, emerging professions, legal and ethical issues, and society and consumer movements)

A TEMPLATE

Personal coat of arms

Extend your learning

Here are sites you can visit to learn more:

Health Canada | Health Care System http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/index-eng.php Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness http://novascotia.ca/dhw/ Health Care Reform http://healthcouncilcanada.ca/rpt_det.php?id=481