January / February 2000 Table of Contents
In this Article
Health, Productivity and the Canadian Economy
Health Human Resource Planning
General Agreement on Trade in Services
Health Infostructure and Telehealth
Health Research and Accountability
By Claudia von Zweck
It's here.
The new millennium and a new century full of possibilities for occupational therapists.
What are the trends, issues and concerns that
may influence public policy in the coming years?
Can occupational therapy influence public policy?
Do we need to reposition occupational therapy in order to ensure its important role in the health and well-being of Canadians and other people around the world?
These are the questions CAOT asks on a regular basis. The following are
seven of the many key public policy issues and trends that CAOT monitors
in order to effectively represent its members' needs and interests at
the federal level. The action we take in these areas can directly affect
the future of occupational therapy in Canada.
Health, Productivity and the Canadian Economy
Canadians are concerned about the economy. Policy-makers suggest that
an important factor to economic growth is the productivity of Canadians
and there is a growing recognition that health directly influences the
ability of Canadians to contribute to a paid workforce or to engage in
voluntary occupations. Therefore, investment in health is seen as an investment
in the productivity of Canadians.
Occupational therapy research indicates involvement in meaningful occupation strengthens the capacity of Canadians to live rewarding and productive lives. As occupational therapists we have a unique body of knowledge which allows us to be experts in working with others to promote healthy occupations. Our role as occupational therapists in enabling "the skills for the job of living" assists the development of a strong and productive society.
In addition to supporting public policy that recognizes the impact of health on productivity, CAOT will also be actively demonstrating how occupational therapy increases Canadians' health and productivity.
Universal Health Care
Health care is another leading concern of Canadians, specifically with
respect to government cutbacks and lack of funding. As occupational therapists
we are now very familiar with the consequences of decreased health spending
in relation to reduced access to publicly funded programs and increased
private spending for our services. The 1999 federal budget did provide
an infusion of new money for provinces to invest in health. At this time
we must actively demand accountability from provinces for their use of
these new federal monies for health initiatives. We are now seeing that
many provinces are in the fortunate position of reporting a budget surplus,
although health care needs continue to be unmet.
At the federal level, CAOT through our involvement in HEAL, will continue to advocate for long term and sustainable funding for Canada's publicly financed health system. With private spending now topping 31% of all health care expenditures, the federal government must increase its current 22% contribution to demonstrate a serious commitment to the health of Canadians.
In addition, CAOT will continue to advocate that the provinces and federal government use the social union framework to actively seek out national objectives around an expanded continuum of publicly funded health services which includes home and community care.
National Children's Agenda
It is widely anticipated that the next federal budget will promote a national
children's agenda. CAOT welcomes this new agenda as the initiatives, although
yet unannounced will most certainly assist in promoting the health and
well-being of children. CAOT recognizes that there is a need for an innovative
multidisciplinary approach to child health that supports an integration
of services. The current problem-based emphasis does not focus on healthy
lifestyles and fragments child health care. In addition, an integrated
health human resources plan for the care of children and youth is needed
to deal with critical issues such as current and imminent shortages in
the supply of the child health workforce. CAOT will continue its representation
on coalitions and task forces relating to work on these issues.
Health Human Resource Planning
Health human resource planning has been given little attention by recent
governments. However, recent media attention of the escalating shortage
of nurses and distribution problems of general practitioners across Canada
has now brought health human resources planning into the limelight. Federal/provincial/territorial
health ministers will be reviewing options for managing these problems
early this year. As advocated by CAOT working together with the Canadian
Dietetic Association, the Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian
Physiotherapy Association in 1995, an integrated health human resources
strategy is required which reflects a shift in philosophy from planning
within each discipline and service sector to interdisciplinary and intersectoral
planning. CAOT will be working in coalitions with other health professional
associations to promote this message.
General Agreement on Trade in Services
The large and growing importance of trade in services in Canada has resulted
in the development of new trade agreements in this area. These include,
among other, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the
World Trade Organization General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
Canada is involved in comprehensive, multilateral negotiations regarding
trade in services under the GATS. GATS is particularly important because
of the broad range of services covered in the agreement. CAOT is represented
on HEAL's subcommittee regarding GATS. The subcommittee will be advising
government officials regarding the approach Canada should take and the
goals that the health services sector would like to see achieved during
these negotiations.
Health Infostructure and Telehealth
The 1999 federal budget allocated significant new monies to improve Canada's
health infostructure. It is hoped that this new funding for health infostructure
will strengthen and integrate health care services, by giving health care
providers, including occupational therapists the information and communications
technologies they need to improve quality, accessibility, portability
and efficiency of the services they provide.
Telehealth involves the application of health information and communication technology in the delivery of health services and expertise, over any distance. There are many potential applications for telehealth services for occupational therapists in Canada - for client assessment, intervention and monitoring as well as for continuing education of health providers. CAOT is currently preparing a position statement which outlines applications and policy issues relating to telehealth.
Health Research and Accountability
The federal government committed a significant investment in health research
in 1999 with the announcement of the development of the Canadian Institutes
for Health Research (CIHR). Bill C-13, establishing the CIHR, was introduced
in early November, 1999. The CIHR is expected to foster an integrated
agenda which includes biomedical, clinical, health services and determinants
of health research. CAOT is monitoring the development of the CIHR as
a member of the Network for the Advancement of Health Services Research
which represents over 17 organizations.
CAOT looks forward to this new era and we thank our members for their continued support which allows us to actively and enthusiastically promote occupational therapy's important contribution to Canadian's health and well-being.
Happy New Year and Happy New Millennium to you and your clients.
January / February 2000 Table of Contents
© Copyright 1999-2000 CAOT. All Rights Reserved