Students for Medicare hosts
     CMA Student Townhall

      April 26, 2011

                                               Hart House, University of Toronto

                                           with Jeffrey Turnbull, Danielle Martin

We asked students from various health professions in small groups to answer three questions put forth by the CMA as part of their health care transformation discussion, as well as a final general question on health care. Here's what they said!

Key Themes:

The concept of "medically necessary" being only physician and hospital services was strongly challenged in the discussion. An expansion of the Canada Health Act was greatly supported, with support for inclusion of services such as long term care, pharmacare, nurse practitioners billing as independent providers, vision care, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Pharmacare was mentioned on multiple occasions, including mention of a decreased cost with such a system due to better negotiation with pharmaceutical companies, better ability to manage chronic disease as well as a way to decrease variability between provinces in terms of coverage.

Key Themes:

Students defined good value in health care as a more equitable system that allows all individuals the availability of appropriate care in a timely and accessible manner. They talked about access as defined by location, time and affordability but also as minimizing barriers by providing care that is non-judgemental, client-centred and sensitive for people of various cultures, those of the LGBTQ community, those with mental health issues and those without immigration status. This would require a system that looked at all aspects of an individual, not just their biological selves. Recommendations were also made for health care practitioners to strive for good communication both between disciplines and their clients as well as maintain a single payer system to keep down costs. A focus on primary care and prevention rather than costly acute care as well as providing professionals the ability to work to their full scope was seen as obtaining good value. Other recommendations included decreasing variability of physicians' incomes across specialties, decreasing hospital CEO salaries, avoiding unnecessary tests to appease clients and ensuring providers have a healthy workplace so as to provide good care. Along the same vein, good value was seen as care where providers can engage in a caring relationship without rushing patients.

Key Themes:

Students unanimously interpreted this question as the collective responsibility of Canadians as a whole to govern what is taking place within the health care system. They suggested advocacy for poverty reduction, better urban planning, infrastructure building, health education and promotion, access to good food, access to clean water and more. Students also felt Canadians should be educating themselves on issues of the health care debate in Canada and be engaged within their communities and government on these issues.

Key Themes:

Students stated various principles that they valued in the health care system including justice, equity, equality, fairness, comprehensiveness, consistency, compassion, and systematic communication between health care providers. Students wanted a system where there was accessibility to health care for all, regardless of immigration status and wanted an examination of the root causes of issues, looking at health rather than just health care. Some specific concerns included the expansion of private clinics that claim to have private delivery, but have been charging for medically necessary services - students felt the federal government should be living up to its role by holding the provinces accountable for such contravention of the Canada Health Act. Students were also concerned about the upcoming Canad Health Accord negotiation in 2014 and felt it important to consider which party will best represent the interests of Canadians in such talks.