February 7, 2024 – A new report from the C.D. Howe Institute and HealthCareCAN states that bold action is urgently needed to transform Canada's healthcare system to better meet the needs of citizens across the country.
A new Special Policy Conference Report “Better Health Outcomes: What’s Holding Canada Back?” offers a summary of the presentations, discussions and recommendations made during the C.D. Howe Institute’s conference on Canada’s health outcomes held in partnership with HealthCareCAN. Bringing together presenters and participants from both the private and public sectors, the November 2023 conference focused on challenges in our nation’s healthcare system, including health workforce shortages, data availability, improving quality and efficiency, and addressing governance and systemic reform questions.
“Despite significant debate, participants and panelists agreed that successful healthcare reform requires strong and empowered leadership with an increased and sustained focus on improving healthcare outcomes and meeting the needs of the population,” notes the report.
Key takeaways and priorities for action to improve health outcomes include:
- Engaging Canadians on how to transform healthcare systems to better incorporate competition in healthcare systems and more effectively and equitably integrate private healthcare delivery, insurance and financing options;
- Health policymakers designing a system to create a culture the rewards innovation and aligns incentives across with improved health outcomes;
- Moving to a citizen-centric approach instead of a politician-centric, bureaucratic-centric and doctor-centric approach by empowering Canadians to demand the changes that improve the outcomes that matter most to them;
- Increasing prevention efforts and improving accessibility and equity to enhance population health and reduce demand for more advanced healthcare services over the long-term; and
- Addressing staff shortages, improving retention and reducing burnout by proactively addressing major points of dissatisfaction and inefficiency such as administrative work to improve the capacity to provide care and implement improvements.
A critical challenge in addressing various health priorities highlighted by the report was balancing the tension between experimentation with new innovations and the need to scale successful models across Canada. Additionally, the report noted there was a consensus among presenters that successful innovation requires an iterative approach and appreciation that no single solution will be appropriate across all settings without adaptation.
To find the appropriate balance that leads to a high-quality and innovative healthcare system and address the critical challenges of Canada’s system, conference participants specified action items such as improving data accessibility and transparency; health workforce; and system administration.
Read the Special Policy Conference Report
For more information contact: Lauren Malyk, Senior Communications Officer, C.D. Howe Institute, 416-865-1904 Ext. 0247, lmalyk@cdhowe.org; and Alexandria Rowe, Communications and Member Services, HealthCareCAN, 613-230-1023, arowe@healthcarecan.ca
The C.D. Howe Institute is an independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies. Widely considered to be Canada's most influential think tank, the Institute is a trusted source of essential policy intelligence, distinguished by research that is nonpartisan, evidence-based and subject to definitive expert review.
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of hospitals, health authorities, health research and healthcare organizations advocating for health research and innovation to enhance access to high-quality health services for Canadians and empowering health professionals through best-in-class learning programs.