Health policy

Want a healthier population? Spend less on health care and more on social services

Increased social spending was associated with health improvements at the population level, while health spending increases did not have the same effect, according to a large new Canadian study in the Canadian Medical Association … READ MORE

Direct Funding means freedom for many people with disabilities. Is it accessible enough?

When Lisa Crigger advertises for staff on Kijiji, she’s mainly looking for people who can follow direction. Crigger has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair; she needs assistance with bathing, housekeeping, and child care. Briana … READ MORE

Unacceptably low number of Albertans receive disability tax credit

Process too complex and ambiguous, critics say. Only one in three Albertans with disabilities are benefiting from the federal disability tax credit, according to a report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. … READ MORE

We live with a cloud over our heads: Québecers say home care services fall short

Nearly 343,000 Québecers receive publicly-funded home care. Critics hope political parties commit to change. Rosalyn Williams-Ness has received home care services for the past 12 years. She says she lives with almost constant … READ MORE

Canada as single-payer exemplar for universal health care in the United States

A Borderline Option. Ambassador Bridge workers (from bottom left to right) Hector Renaud, (unknown), Earl Foley, Art Langois, and Louis Renaud in 1953, according to Louis Renaud. He says the man in the white shirt was another … READ MORE

Canada’s health-care wait times hit new record high, again

We finally did it last year. In 2016, we hit the 20-week mark for the average wait time for treatment by a specialist (across 12 medical specialities) after referral from a general practitioner. Canada’s national shame had reached a … READ MORE

Shared medical notes boost patients’ engagement in their health care

‘OurNotes’ has potential to improve relationships with doctors, and cut documentation demands on clinicians. Encouraging patients to help write and add notes to their personal medical charts — a task typically handled … READ MORE

US healthcare consumers find little information online

Our findings suggest that there is substantial room for improvement in providing consumers with ready access to health care prices online. Policy makers should consider mandating that payers and providers make these prices available … READ MORE

Primary healthcare, disruptive innovation, and the digital gold rush

We want innovation to improve our patients’ lives and protect their safety. Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the Royal College of GPs, is worried about ‘twin-track approach to NHS general practice’. Photograph: Sam Friedrich for … READ MORE

Be concerned about how apps collect, share health data

As of 2016, there were more than 165,000 health and wellness apps available though the Apple App Store alone. According to Rice University medical media expert Kirsten Ostherr, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates only a … READ MORE

Alberta Health Services signs massive new technology deal

The Alberta Health Services board has approved a $459-million deal with a U.S. technology giant to equip the health authority with an advanced clinical information system. Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services. … READ MORE

A lesson for Canada: Québec pharmacare system creates winners and losers

Québec spends $200 more per person than the rest of Canada to provide prescription drug coverage to everyone in the province, finds new research that could inform plans for a nationwide universal drug plan. Benny Lin, flickr … READ MORE

The pathway to patient data ownership and better health

Digital health data are rapidly expanding to include patient-reported outcomes, patient-generated health data, and social determinants of health. Measurements collected in clinical settings are being supplemented by data collected in … READ MORE

Disconnect revealed between Alberta doctors and AHS management

Nearly one-third of doctors surveyed don’t necessarily trust safety of health-care system. Alberta doctors question how the province’s health-care system is managed, the level of care provided to patients, and don’t … READ MORE

NHS holds on to top spot in healthcare survey

The NHS has been judged the best, safest and most affordable healthcare system out of 11 countries analysed and ranked by experts from the influential Commonwealth Fund health think tank. ‘Don’t tell me NHS workers aren’t … READ MORE

Digitizing medicine is killing the profession

While you may think electronic medical records could only improve health care, health researcher Conrad Amenta says think twice. He says the increased workload that comes with EMRs is leading to doctor burnout – and even higher … READ MORE

Why Canada is wasting millions on useless knee surgeries

‘Overwhelming evidence’ arthroscopic surgery ineffective for arthritic knees, expert panel says. An international expert panel says a common, minimally invasive surgery is largely useless for knee problems stemming from … READ MORE

UN calls on Canada to ensure rights of Canadians with disabilities

The United Nations called on Canada today to address the “persisting gaps in the exercise and enjoyment of rights by persons with disabilities, such as education, work and employment and an adequate standard of living, including … READ MORE

Mark Pickup challenged AADL policy to get a replacement power chair

Mark Pickup is a gifted writer who chooses words thoughtfully, methodically and philosophically. So it’s no big surprise to hear the phrase he used to describe his experience last week. I have been disabled with aggressive multiple … READ MORE

Publicly funding drugs for all Canadians could save over $4 billion a year

Universal public coverage of 117 essential medicines could address the needs of most Canadians for pharmaceutical drugs, and possibly save more than $4 billion a year, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical … READ MORE

Survey results – Healthcare system failing people with disabilities

Survey paints picture of healthcare system failing people who have disabilities in Arizona. The results of a recent survey of people who have disabilities living in Arizona and their experiences with medical providers reveals a … READ MORE

Caring for special-needs children at home brings high cost

Study finds that home care is beneficial for the children, but it comes at great cost to family members or guardians. U.S. families provide nearly $36 billion [USD] annually in uncompensated medical care at home to children who have … READ MORE

Evaluating new health care models

Why aren’t new health care models studied more? A new study focuses on a hospital funding approach gaining popularity that would institute new incentives for hospitals to decrease wait times and increase efficiency. CBC Wendy … READ MORE

Transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to health care

Transportation issues shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting to or from a doctor’s appointment. But they do just that for an estimated 3.6 million Americans. Some of these individuals don’t have cars or access to public … READ MORE

Electronic health records ‘inflict enormous pain’ on doctors

Electronic health records slow doctors down and distract them from meaningful face time caring for patients. Hidden treasure. View from behind a cataloging desk, Army Medical Library, Washington, DC, ca. 1955. National Library of … READ MORE

As walking movement grows, neighbourhood walkability gains attention

Come join us at our next Walk with a Doc! Location: Confederation Park, Calgary Walk Information: We walk on the 2nd Friday of Every Month! at 8:50 am To Register, please call Sandi Gowriluk 403-284-3726 ext. 206 David Sabgi MD, … READ MORE

When doctors have conflicts of interest

My mother-in-law is an impressive woman. At the age of 77, she still maintains a garden the size of my entire backyard, on the three acres of land she and my father-in-law, now 81, share in rural western Pennsylvania. Dave Mosher … READ MORE

Canada spends over $400 million on medicine that harms seniors

Canada spends more than $400 million annually on drugs prescribed to seniors even though the medicines should be avoided for older patients, according to new UBC research. PEI doctor warns about dangers of over-medication. Dr. Roland … READ MORE

Akira and the rise of telemedicine in Canada

“…an international health policy study in 2010… showed that Canada had the lowest rate for availability of same-day appointments at 45 per cent and the highest rate of people who had to wait six days or more for an … READ MORE

Workplace mHealth program shows improved step count, weight loss

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, JACC has shown that a team-based workplace mHealth challenge using pedometers and online tools can get people moving more and help them lose weight. Satish … READ MORE

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