Environmental Scan - Government of Nova Scotia

Physician Resource PlanningAn Environmental ScanTechnology evolution impacts PRP in a very significant way. Today’s ‘best test’ will not be tomorrow’s, yet aphysician is expected to keep pace with emerging knowledge. Technology-enabling non-invasive surgery hashad a profound impact on PRP. The ‘heart’ is no longer the domain of one or two specialties. Interventionalradiology, interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, and cardiac surgery are evolving in significant ways withdirect impact on PRP.8.9 Population Demand and ExpectationsCanadians are accustomed to the standards and quality that characterize our health system. All developedcountries are facing the same cost and sustainability challenge as populations age and grow. We expect rapidaccess to high quality service regardless of circumstance. Government policy on access to health services setsde facto standards. The IHA in B.C. has made many explicit decisions around access for its many widely spreadcommunities. Ontario and Manitoba, by addressing core services, have done likewise.Government policy on access directly impacts PRP planning assumptions.Winnipeg Health Authority examined the question more directly through Community Health Councils andelicited specific responses 36 to what were ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’ expectations.Unreasonable expectations were stated as:−−−−That the health care system can fix everyone and that people do not have any responsibility fortheir own well-beingThat funding for health care is infiniteThat people should be able to access health care for any issue at any time and,That people with non-urgent medical issues receive immediate care at emergency departments.• Reasonable expectations included:−−−−−−−−The right to primary careFair and equitable access to health care for allTimely access to primary care, specialists, diagnostics, and treatmentRespectful and compassionate careElectronic medical recordsMore resources provided for disease prevention and health promotionThe use of most current technology, and,That health care is provided in the community, as much as possibleIpsos Canada, Decima Research, Environics Research Group, Innovative Research Group Inc., Ekos ResearchAssociates Inc., Pollara Inc., and The Strategic Counsel, among others tend to ask the question in terms of‘expectations’ rather than reasonable/unreasonable. Their surveys and results comprise the primary researchbase for a high level report to the Health Council of Canada 37 that summarized public perceptions andexpectations as follows:−Overall ratings of the health care system have improved slightly in recent years, but a large majorityof Canadians still believe that the system is unsustainable and urgently in need of substantivechange.36 Winnipeg Health Authority, “Public Expectations of the Health Care System” Community Health Advisory Councils,May/1037 Soroka, S.N., A report to the Health Council of Canada, Canadian Perceptions of the Health Care System, McGillUniversity, Feb/07.65 | Page Social Sector Metrics Inc. & Health Intelligence Inc. | 12/31/2011