Pan-Canadian Health Human Resource Strategy: 2004/2005 Annual Report

Complementary Activities

Health Canada provides leadership and financial support for numerous concurrent activities in order to facilitate national collaboration (e.g. the sharing of information and best practices) among the federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and in order to advance the Strategy.

Pan-Canadian HHR Planning

Establishment of the Federal/Provincial/ Territorial (F/P/T) HHR Modelling Working Group (2004/05 and ongoing)

This working group of the F/P/T Advisory Committee on Health Delivery and Human Resources (ACHDHR) was formed in 2004/05 to allow for collaboration on tasks to strengthen the evidence base for pan-Canadian HHR planning as outlined in the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord. The objective of this group is to promote collaborative HHR modelling activities and networks that support F/P/T policy and planning requirements, sharing of knowledge and the formation of partnerships. The F/P/T modelling working group is an ongoing entity that, to date, has made a great deal of progress towards enhancing the coordination of HHR planning.

HHR Modelling Workshop, February 23, 2005 in Victoria B.C. (2004/05)

The overall objective of this workshop, convened by the F/P/T HHR Modelling Working Group, was to share modelling experiences among HHR modellers, policymakers, and researchers. The event provided a successful opportunity for attendees to:

• Share models and explain their applicability for policy development through presentations and hands-on sessions.
• Provide a forum for networking, learning opportunities, and information sharing on jurisdictions’ modelling priorities, activities, methods, successes, difficulties, and challenges through plenary discussions.
• Discuss possibilities for addressing challenges, sharing models, and working collaboratively.

Pan-Canadian Inventory, Assessment and Gap Analysis of HHR Models and Forecasting Capacity (2004/05)

In collaboration with the ACHDHR, this research paper was commissioned in order to assess gaps in F/P/T HHR forecasting capacities. The report provides detailed information on the characteristics of existing HHR forecasting models across Canada and compares present capacity to an assessment of F/P/T forecasting needs in order to establish gaps. This report will provide a useful tool for future collaborative action in the area of HHR forecasting.

Monitoring the Educational Supply of Professionals in Health Occupations ($1,870,000, 2004/05 to 2007/08)

Health Canada and Statistics Canada are collaborating to assess and report on the education indicators necessary to monitor the supply of health professionals. These reports will enable decision makers to better understand how health profession students determine their careers and will permit examination of the reasons for attrition and career change in various health professions. The collection of this data will assist in HHR planning. In keeping with this collaborative approach, Statistics Canada has consulted the F/P/T ministries of health and education, health provider organizations, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, HHR researchers, and other related organizations to determine the needs associated with education data.

Occupational Therapy Caseload Assignment and Management (2004/05)

Health Canada and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) collaborated on an examination of best practices in occupational therapy caseload assignment and management. The project involved a literature review, the development of a background paper, and the creation of a Power Point presentation to be used for strategic communication of findings. The findings from this study provide stakeholders with valuable information about current practices in caseload assignment and management to assist in HHR planning. Furthermore, the principles and recommendations will serve to guide future activities.

Framework for Collaborative Pan- Canadian HHR Planning (2004/05)

The Framework is currently under development in collaboration with the HHR Planning Subcommittee of the ACHDHR. The purpose of this work is to develop a collaborative approach to HHR planning based on successful examples of planning amongst jurisdictions. This document will help facilitate collaboration and avoid the risks and duplication associated with the current jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction approach to HHR planning. Next steps will include a consultation with key stakeholders.

Interprofessional Education for Collaborative Patient- Centred Practice

National Expert Committee (2003/04 and ongoing)

In 2003/04, 27 individuals, with expertise in the various facets of IECPCP, were recruited to form a National Expert Committee (NEC). The NEC continues to provide expert advice to Health Canada in shaping and implementing the IECPCP initiative. The NEC is co-chaired by Dr. Carol Herbert, from the University of Western Ontario and Sandra Macdonald-Rencz, acting Executive Director of Health Canada’s Office of Nursing Policy. Note: Judith Shamian, former Executive Director of ONP served as initial co-chair from November 2003 to June 2004, her departure date.

IECPCP Research (2003/04 and ongoing)

In 2003/04 Health Canada commissioned nine research papers on various aspects of IECPCP, as well as a literature review and environmental scan on promising practices in interprofessional education. This work resulted in a comprehensive research report and the development of a framework for IECPCP. This framework has since guided much of the work within the initiative and continues to be a valuable resource. The framework is available on line at w ww.health-humanresources. ca under the IECPCP page. Research activities on IECPCP will continue as the Strategy progresses.

Dialogue Sessions (2003/04 to 2004/05)

One national and nine jurisdictional “dialogue“ sessions were also held during 2003/04 and 2004/05. These sessions served to increase awareness of IECPCP and promote networking and sharing of expertise. They also provided an opportunity to encourage participation in the major component of the IECPCP initiative – a two cycle “Call for Proposals” for interprofessional learning projects.

Call for Proposals – Cycle 1 and 2 (2003/04 to 2004/05)

Momentous efforts in 2003/04 and 2004/05 resulted in the development and posting of a distinctive “Call for Proposals” for interprofessional learning projects. Those participating in the call report that the “Call for Proposals” itself, contributed to, and resulted in, interprofessional collaboration on many levels. In preparing their projects and applications, applicants were required to collaborate and partner with patients, students, a practice setting and three or more different post-secondary health science faculties/ schools, including a faculty of medicine and a faculty/school of nursing. A National Review Committee critically reviewed projects meeting the articulated eligibility criteria. This National Review Committee recommended 11 projects, from across the country, for funding in the first cycle. Proposals for the second cycle of funding are due in September 2005. More information about these funded projects will be posted on the IECPCP page of the Strategy Web site ( www.health-human-resources.ca)

Recruitment and Retention

R&R Research (2004/05)

In 2004/05 Health Canada commissioned a number of complementary projects in an effort to meet the objectives outlined for the Recruitment and Retention arm of the Strategy. Efforts included a literature review and an environmental scan of continuing education opportunities for health care providers in Canada. A number of other activities provided a foundation for the Healthy Health Care Providers Campaign, including an environmental scan of preferred practices for the deployment of health human resources and decision support tools were also commissioned. The final report of the literature review and environmental scan is available on the Recruitment and Retention page of the Strategy Web site ( www.health-human-resources.ca).

International Medical Graduates (2003/04 and ongoing)

The Government of Canada has currently committed $8.5M, largely from Health Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, to implement recommendations from the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Task Force. Most IMG activities are under way with an IMG steering committee overseeing their implementation. The IMG Task Force recommendations are as follows:

• Increase capacity to assess/prepare IMGs
• Work towards standardization of licensure requirements
• Expand/develop programs to assist IMGs with licensure processes and requirements
• Develop orientation programs to support faculty and MDs working with IMGs
• Develop capacity to track and recruit IMGs
• Develop a national research program and evaluation of the IMG strategy

Health Canada is working collaboratively with P/Ts, professional bodies, HRSDC and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to ensure that the above recommendations are accomplished.

Healthy Workplace Initiative (HWI)

One of the objectives of the R&R initiative is a healthy work environment. A healthier work environment will contribute not only to recruitment and retention, but will also have the potential to enhance the overall effectiveness of health care organizations.

The main objective of the HWI is to support current actions by health care organizations to create and maintain healthy work environments. This is based on the fact that healthy work environments contribute to positive outcomes for workers and to improved health service quality, cost-effectiveness and workforce renewal.

Health Canada has worked collaboratively with P/Ts and various organizations to offer funding in support of innovation in the development of healthier workplaces.

Aboriginal HHR Work

Study of the Health Human Resources Needs of the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC) Program (2004/05)

FNIHB provided funding and worked collaboratively with the Aboriginal Research Institute to research HHR needs in First Nations and Inuit home and community care. The study, which was completed in March 2005, provides labour market information for First Nations and Inuit home and community care program sector and identifies human resource challenges and issues specific to First Nations and Inuit communities. More specifically, the report:

• describes the home care environment and management practices to address both shortand longer-term requirements for formal (regulated and non-regulated) service providers and informal and voluntary caregivers;
• analyses the role informal and voluntary caregivers play and the barriers they face;
• assesses current and forecasted skill development and continuing educational needs and opportunities;
• contains a framework for action to respond to the human resource challenges and issues identified;
• provides an analysis, which considers how the required supports under the First Ministers’ Accord (FMM Accord) might be delivered in innovative or alternative ways that fit the needs of First Nations and Inuit communities.

Baseline Survey of First Nations and Inuit Youth on Health Careers (2004/05)

FNIHB commissioned EKOS Research Associates to assess First Nations and Inuit youths’ awareness and knowledge of health careers, including educational requirements in order to:

• determine First Nations and Inuit youths’ educational preparedness for potential careers in health;
• determine First Nations and Inuit youths’ attitudes toward health careers;
• determine the role of familial role models in selecting a career in health care;
• establish perceived and/or real barriers to pursuing careers in health care.

The report was completed in March 2005 and can be obtained by contacting Melissa Patey, Senior Program Officer with the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative at (613) 941-8066 or melissa_patey@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Scan of Professional Health Education Programs for Aboriginal Peoples (2004/05)

In 2004/05 FNIHB commissioned Dr. Peter Nunoda to study and develop a report concerning professional health education programs for Aboriginal peoples. The document provides a comprehensive overview of existing programs in Canada as well as those for indigenous people in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Based on a critical evaluation of all existing programs, recommendations are offered. The report was completed in March 2005 and can be obtained by contacting Simon Brascoupé, Associate Director of the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative at (613) 941-7981 or simon_brascoupe@hc-sc.gc.ca.