Health care System Evaluation in Canada 

How is technology, distributed? Is the emphasis of the system on preventive care or acute care?

Canadians have become very concerned on the future status of health care systems in the country and is seen as a top priory among the issues which government should prioritize on ( Canadian Standards Association, 1995). They have called upon the government to fund technology in health care so as to have a sustainable health care system in the future. Provinces and territories in Canada have identified the various areas which need advancement in technology. Such technologies which the government is putting effort to work on them are; major joint surgery, neonatal and fetal technologies, dialysis, organ transplantation, genetic testing and therapy, pharmaceutical segment and other various areas which need advancement in technology.

All provinces hand territories have came up with home care a program which is highly centered on regional service delivery requirements. This is part of new technology which the federal government and the provinces together with territories have worked on so as to improve the health care system in Canada (Michael J Kirby; Marjory LeBreton; Canada. Parliament. Senate. Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology., 2001). This program allows good distribution of health services in Canada. In addition, all provinces and territories have worked hard to improve pharmaceutical sector in the country. This is a key component to Canada’s health care sector. Pharmcare programs have been introduced to all provinces and territories so as to ensure affordable significant pharmaceuticals to clients and patients in the country. This technology also involved drug program information systems and safer dispensing of pharmaceuticals. Drug classes that are integral part in Canada’s spending in pharmaceutical spending have also changed, hence showing changes in drug development. In Canada, diseases such as cancer account for almost 30% of drugs which are being tested from the advancing technology in Canada. Also, cholesterol-lowering drugs usage between 1998 and 2007 had increase from $500 million to 1.9 billion with average annual growth rate of 14.8% (Haerens, 2011). This forced Canada to use the advanced technology to provide preventive care to cut down the high rises of cost from some diseases. In addition, Extra Mural Program which is a home care program was introduced to fight and promote preventive care. Also, prevention and research initiatives towards diseases such as diabetes were introduced. Other diseases which the health care system in Canada is working to prevent through improvise technology include; HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Traumatic brain injury and Tuberculosis.

References

v  Canadian Standards Association. (1995). Commissioning of electrical equipment and systems in health care facilities : health care technology. Etobicoke, Ont: Canadian Standards Association.

v  Haerens, M. (2011). Canada. Detroit : Greenhaven Press.

v  Michael J Kirby; Marjory LeBreton; Canada. Parliament. Senate. Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. (2001). The health of Canadians : the federal role : interim report on the state of health care system in Canada. Ottawa: The Senate.

In each course the final Discussion topic provides you with an opportunity to reflect on what you have learned during the course. In addition to posting your response, you are asked to save this reflection as part of your professional portfolio.

Directions:

Review the course outcomes at the beginning of this Syllabus and describe how you have met each outcome. Include in your discussion how Assignments and Readings have contributed to your development as a nurse in an advanced role. And remember to share some of your thoughts related to specific websites you found of value in your discussion.

COURSE DESCRIPTION                                                                        TOP

This course explores the application of statistical methods in research related to nursing and the health professions and serves as a foundation for research and evidence-based practice. The purpose, assumptions, selection, and interpretation of selected statistical procedures will be explored. Techniques include exploratory, descriptive, comparative, correlational, and inferential statistics. Parametric and nonparametric techniques are presented. Statistical methods in selected research studies will be critiqued.

COURSE OUTCOMES                                                                           TOP

Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, you should be able to:

MN 503-1: Analyze concepts of probability related to hypothesis testing theory.

MN 503-2: Choose appropriate statistical analyses for data sets.

MN 503-3: Determine appropriate sample sizes for research studies.

MN 503-4: Critically evaluate the use of data in health science research reports.

INITIAL POST FROM STUDENT

Descartes had realized that humans ability to observe the world around them, mainly the senses, were susceptible to misinterpreting the input that was received. This is exemplified in the line “I received either from or through the senses. I observed, however, that these sometimes misled us…” from the third paragraph of Meditations I (Descrates). An example of the interpretations of our sense being wrong would be the mirage seen on the roads in a hot summer day.  Sometimes these mirages make it appear that there is water on the road surface at a distance away. 

When Descartes states “I am; I exist” is a phrase that is more commonly associated with “I think, therefore I exist.  What he is stating that up until this point he believes it is possible that what we perceive is a deception.  But in order for that to happen, he would have to exist in order to be deceived.  Descartes does admit further into the Meditations II that all he is sure of that he is a thinking thing, that his physical state could still be in question.  This is shown when he says “I am therefore, precisely speaking, only a thinking thing, that is, a mind.” (Descrates).

So when Descartes uses “I” he is referring to the thinking self.  He is referring to the mind because that is the only thing that he can be sure that is real.  His argument is that his perception of a physical body could be a deception, however in order to be deceived he would need to be able to think.  So in his belief, the only thing that he can be sure actually exist is his ability to think.  While it is circular logic in a way, that does not make it any less plausible.

PROFESSORS RESPONSE:

Matthew, you make interesting points in your post.  Descartes’ distrust of sensory experience as a means to truth is perhaps understandable, yet how are we to make the leap with him to the confirmation of the supernatural?  What method allows Descartes to make this assertion (there is a supernatural or a god), and did you agree with his logic in getting to his conclusion?

INITIAL POSTERS RESPONSE:

            Sir,

Unlike today, with the common knowledge of virtual reality, Descartes had no concept of what could possible deceive his sense beyond something with powers beyond that of a normal human.  This would naturally lead him to believe in a supernatural force.  It is interesting that to this day, we has humans are still asking these questions.  Physics Professors at Cambridge University and MIT have been considering the possibility that our universe is actually a computer simulation, and are in the process of trying to develop ways of testing this (Merali).

Given the knowledge that Descartes had at the time, his logic would be sound.  No more than we could expect a Descartes to understand how flight works, could we expect him to understand that forces other than a supernatural entity could be capable of deceiving him. Show him a television with a show playing, and he could very easily mistake it for message from a deity.

STUDENT A’s RESPONSE

Matthew,

  You made some great points in paraphrasing a few of Descartes’ ideas on rationalizing our existence. There were a few times where I saw and understood the same ideas you did. It seems that he constantly brought up different ideas to both prove and also disprove sensibility as to if we are actually real or tangible beings. I used the very same point in my response this week because I liked and agreed with it so much, that being we can only deceive our existence only therefore if we do actually exist. To me it seems as if some points his arguments actually somewhat collapse on themselves.

 Also, the very last portion of your response is, yet again, highly agreeable. I believe he went in quite a few circles to arrive at a point in which is very difficult to understand and make sense of.

STUDENT B’s RESPONSE

Hello Mathew,

     I agree that our senses deceive of at times, but we also understand and recognize false information, to a certain extent.  Through experience, whether our own or others, we understand that our perception is skewed, and for example, that there is no water in the desert, just more sand.  

     I like how you rephrased Descartes statement from “I am; I exist” to “I think; therefore I exist.”  This simplifies Descartes very wordy writing into an easy to understand statement.  Being able to question ones own existence is proof enough that one does exist.  I noticed that he understood himself as something that thinks as well.  Descartes poses questions as to what form he takes and quickly discredits himself  and makes reference to being deceived, or having a false perception of reality.

     I agree that Descartes is referring to the thinking self, but I disagree that it is his mind (that is if you are referring to a brain as we see it).  I get the impression that Descartes is referencing “I” as his soul, and that the body that houses it is what he questions.  Descartes mentions an all powerful being or God, and that is why Descartes exists.  Descartes also mentions that he could be deceived into a false reality, but he exists and God has allowed him to gain control of his mind (Descartes).  When Descartes mentions gaining control of his mind I do not think he means a brain, I think he means his soul. 

Design an Experimental Study

Ideally, the variables present in an experimental study can be controlled. There are also many other issues to consider when designing an experimental study.

In this Discussion, you will propose a design for an experimental study and identify some of the issues that could arise as a result of the design. You will then be asked how you would mitigate, or minimize, those issues.

To prepare for this Discussion:

•  
• Refer to the public health problem you selected last week. Or, choose another public health problem that interests you.
  
•  
• Determine a research question for the study.
• Based on the research question, consider how you would design an experimental study.

post a comprehensive response that proposes an experimental study design for your chosen topic. Your contribution should take into account at least two of the following factors:

•  
• Informed consent
• Special populations
• Blinding
• Incentives for volunteers
• Closing a study early
•  

Your post should also answer the following questions.

•  
• What is the research question for your study?
• What exposure and outcome variables will you measure?
• Who will be the participants?
• How is the method for this week’s study different from the method for last week’s study?

 Why is innovation important to healthcare management? For this exercise, you will “nurture foresight,” which is described in your textbook as a process involving looking ahead to visualize developments and their possible impact on the organization, perhaps even before they become inventions, trends, or actual concerns.

Go to the following website:

Source: National Institute for Healthcare Management. http://www.nihcm.org/

Select a featured publication of interest to you. Based on the publication that you review, and to prepare your organization for the change(s) that you foresee, write a paper of 750 to 1000-words to respond to the following:

1. Describe the publication and the issue(s) that it presents.

2. After reviewing the article, identify the type of health care organization that you would like to work for in the future and explain the implications of this issue to that organization and to at least two groups of its stakeholders.

3. What are some of the questions that you would need to ask, resources you might need to access, or actions you would take to prepare your organization for change or to exploit opportunities?

4. Respond to two of the following questions:

a. Do you see changes arising from this situation to be a boon to patients? Why or why not?

b. Do you think that government will create regulation relating to this topic that you will need to   comply with?

.           c. Do you see this issue as having the potential to result in a possible new profit center for your facility?

Your writing should follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.) and it should be logical, original, and insightful. Finally, ensure that your paper conforms to APA Style, including in-text citations and a reference page.

Requirements

• Responses to the questions should be written in a clear, detailed manner and observe the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.).

• Double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font.

• Include at least two references. All references should follow APA style format.