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Providing a space to offer solutions addressing access to health care in Canada is commendable and responsive to our current environmental context. 1
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Words matter. We have to ensure that solutions not only incorporate health care (the process of providing care) but also critical of healthcare (system of care). Reportedly, 6 million Canadians do not have access to a family physician, the Achilles tendon of our health system. As Canadian health providers, we too have to challenge our diagnostic silos and service delivery pathways - eligibility and implementation; leading to chronic unaddressed medical issues, which are, ultimately unmasked in our ER departments.
Accessibility is one of the five Canada Health Act principles.2 Access to health care is multidimensional and requires a transdisciplinary and multi-sectorial approach, embracing the biological, psychological, social and spiritual constructs of health, with cultural humility to ensure equitable access to care.
Access implies identification of a “health need” and the “awareness of available options” to address this need. This highlights the importance of ensuring efficiency and responsiveness of our public health systems, language sensitive education initiatives, prevention-intervention initiatives; greater emphasis for community based health teams, utilization of an integrated referral system that limits duplication of services and facilitates mapping of a person’s passage through our health syste...Competing Interests: None declared.References
- 1. Patrick, K., & Laupacis, A. (2023). A focus on access to health care in Canada. CMAJ, 195(3), E123-E124.
- 2. Canada’s Health Care System. Date modified 2019-09-17. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/reports-publications/health-care-system/canada.html
- Page navigation anchor for RE: A focus on access to health care in CanadaRE: A focus on access to health care in Canada
I agree with this priority and would suggest that if "access" is to be not only fair but also efficient and effective, the word "equitable" must always precede "access". This will require a shift away from thinking the job is done when the system works for most people. Access is more likely to be equitable when those at highest risk of poor health outcomes, and experience the largest structural barriers to care, are considered first.
Competing Interests: None declared.References
- . 2023;:-.