1. 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

2. 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

3. Canadian Policy Research Networks 3 Partnership Collaboration between the private sector and the non-profit sector: Project Phases Successes and challenges Future avenues

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Canadian Policy Research Networks 7 Frontline Health Services Hospital Emergency Departments –Urban –Rural –Community Paramedicine Community Health Centres –Urban CHCs –Aboriginal CHCs –Rural CHCs

8. Canadian Policy Research Networks 8 Innovative Health Initiatives Target populations Appropriate care Delivery practices and systems Demands and resources

9. 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

10. Canadian Policy Research Networks 10 Policy Perspectives for Frontline Health Health Determinants Who is Responsible? Supporting Community Innovations Health Services, Access and “Wait Times”

11. Canadian Policy Research Networks 11 Summary Innovations in Delivery of Frontline Health Care Services Needs of Vulnerable Populations Appropriate Policy Perspective

12. 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

13. Canadian Policy Research Networks 13 For additional information: www.cprn.org e-mail: info@cprn.org Receive news of our publications, presentations and events on your desktop by subscribing to CPRN’s e -network, our free weekly electronic newsletter. www.e-network.ca Canadian Policy Research Networks