Roy Romanow - Need to shift emphasis in health and health care.mp4

Summary

The speaker discusses the concept of a 'third revolution' in healthcare, emphasizing a shift from focusing solely on acute care to addressing broader factors that affect health, such as quality of life and community influences. He reflects on the legacy of Tommy Douglas in Canada and the need for a national community health strategy. The speaker highlights the importance of upstream determinants of health and expresses hope for future policies under the current government. His passion is rooted in personal experiences and a belief in community-based healthcare solutions as critical for the future.

Takeaways

• 💡 The speaker discusses the concept of a 'third revolution' in healthcare, which involves a shift in focus from acute care to factors that affect quality of life.
• 🌍 This revolution emphasizes the importance of social determinants of health, such as community, work environment, and lifestyle, as major contributors to health outcomes.
• ⚕️ Acute care, while crucial, has overshadowed other aspects of healthcare, and there’s a need to rebalance the system.
• 🌱 The 'third revolution' is seen as an extension of Tommy Douglas's vision for healthcare in Canada, moving beyond just treating illnesses to preventing them by addressing broader health determinants.
• 🏥 The public often believes that modern medicine can fix all health problems, which creates a barrier to understanding the importance of preventive care.
• 👨‍⚕️ The speaker stresses that healthcare funds should come with conditions aimed at improving community health and addressing upstream health determinants.
• 🔄 There is a need for a national community healthcare strategy, focusing on Community Health Centers (CHCs) to promote preventive care and health equity.
• 📈 The speaker is cautiously hopeful that the Harper government will take steps to support this approach, depending on its values and policy decisions.
• 👪 The speaker’s passion for the issue is influenced by personal experiences, growing up with immigrant parents who faced challenges accessing healthcare before Medicare.
• 💪 The speaker believes that the time is right for a stronger focus on community health and that determined leadership is needed to bring these ideas to the forefront of policy discussions.

Q & A

What is meant by the 'third revolution' in healthcare?

The 'third revolution' refers to a shift in focus towards quality of life and preventive care, rather than solely concentrating on acute care. It emphasizes how lifestyle, community, and environmental factors contribute to health and well-being.

Why does the speaker believe the third revolution is important?

The speaker believes the third revolution is important because it highlights the need to focus on the quality of life and the social determinants of health, which are often overlooked but are crucial in preventing illness and promoting overall well-being.

What are the barriers to achieving this third revolution in healthcare?

One key barrier is society's perception that medical professionals can always 'fix' health issues, leading people to overlook the importance of lifestyle and environmental factors. Another barrier is the emphasis on technological advancements and acute care, which dominate public discourse and funding.

How does the speaker view society's current attitude towards healthcare?

The speaker views society's current attitude as overly reliant on medical professionals to repair health issues after they arise, without considering the preventative measures and lifestyle changes that can avoid illness in the first place.

What is the speaker's stance on the role of technology in healthcare?

The speaker acknowledges the importance of technology in healthcare but believes it receives disproportionate attention compared to preventive care and social determinants of health. They argue that too much focus is placed on treating diseases rather than preventing them.

Why is a national community healthcare strategy important, according to the speaker?

A national community healthcare strategy is important because it would shift the focus toward upstream determinants of health, such as community support and preventive measures. This approach could lead to more effective and sustainable healthcare systems.

What are the speaker’s hopes regarding the Harper government and healthcare funding?

The speaker is hopeful that the Harper government will replenish funding for acute care, but they also stress the need for conditions that require the provinces to focus on upstream determinants of health and community health centers.

How does the speaker’s personal background influence their views on healthcare?

The speaker’s background as the child of Ukrainian immigrants who lived without Medicare has made them keenly aware of the challenges people face in accessing healthcare. This personal experience, along with inspiration from Tommy Douglas, has shaped their views on the importance of universal healthcare and preventive care.

What role did Tommy Douglas play in shaping the speaker’s views on healthcare?

Tommy Douglas, known for his role in establishing Medicare in Saskatchewan, deeply influenced the speaker by advocating not only for acute care but also for preventive measures like community health centers, which the speaker now views as crucial for healthcare reform.

What does the speaker suggest should be done with healthcare funding going forward?

The speaker suggests that any renewed healthcare funding should come with conditions that prioritize community health strategies and preventive care. They believe that funding should be directed toward initiatives that address upstream determinants of health, rather than just acute care.

Outlines

00:00

💡 The Third Revolution in Healthcare

The speaker discusses the 'third revolution' in healthcare, which involves a shift in focus from acute care to preventative measures that consider lifestyle factors. This revolution aims to address the quality of life, including how we live, work, and relate to others, as key contributors to health. The speaker highlights that for too long, the healthcare system has been dominated by acute care and communicable diseases. They argue that the third revolution is equally important in addressing healthcare costs and aligning with Tommy Douglas' vision of comprehensive healthcare in Canada.

05:01

🏥 Challenges in Prioritizing Preventative Healthcare

The speaker elaborates on the slow progress toward preventative healthcare, particularly in Canada, attributing it to society's emphasis on advanced medical technology and surgeries. They believe that many people hold a flawed perception that healthcare can 'fix' any issue, much like a mechanic repairing a car, without considering the impact of personal health habits and environments. This mindset poses a barrier to promoting upstream healthcare approaches that address community health determinants, a concept that the speaker hopes the government will incorporate in its healthcare funding and policy decisions.

💼 Hope for a National Community Healthcare Strategy

The speaker expresses cautious optimism regarding the possibility of a national community healthcare strategy under the Harper government. They commend the government's commitment to replenishing funding for acute care but stress the importance of attaching conditions to ensure some of the funding is allocated toward community health centers and upstream healthcare determinants. The speaker believes that illness prevention and community health should be treated as two sides of the same coin and advocates for a more strategic use of resources in the healthcare system.

👪 Personal Motivation for Healthcare Advocacy

The speaker shares personal experiences that shape their passion for healthcare reform. As the child of Ukrainian immigrants, they witnessed firsthand the challenges of living without Medicare. Inspired by Tommy Douglas' vision, they supported the movement for comprehensive healthcare in Canada. The speaker reflects on their journey from a youthful ideological stance to a deeper understanding of the necessity for community-based healthcare solutions. They believe this model is more needed today than ever and call for greater focus, leadership, and political attention to advance these goals.

Keywords

💡Third Revolution

The 'third revolution' refers to a transformative shift in healthcare, focusing on quality of life and upstream health determinants rather than just acute care. The speaker emphasizes that healthcare needs to consider how societal factors such as lifestyle, community, and working conditions influence health outcomes. This revolution is positioned as essential, much like past advances in controlling communicable diseases.

💡Acute Care

Acute care is a type of healthcare focused on treating immediate or short-term conditions, typically in hospitals or specialized facilities. In the script, the speaker argues that healthcare systems have traditionally emphasized acute care, often neglecting the broader context of health determinants like lifestyle and community. They advocate for a more balanced approach.

💡Upstream Health Determinants

Upstream health determinants refer to social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health before illness occurs. The speaker highlights these determinants as critical components in improving public health, contrasting them with the reactive nature of acute care. Examples include community environment, work conditions, and social connections.

💡Community Health Centres (CHCs)

Community Health Centres (CHCs) are organizations that provide healthcare services focused on primary care, prevention, and addressing social determinants of health. The speaker views CHCs as a key vehicle for achieving the third revolution in healthcare, emphasizing their role in fostering holistic, community-oriented health strategies.

💡Tommy Douglas

Tommy Douglas was a Canadian politician known as the 'father of Medicare' in Canada. The speaker references Douglas' vision of universal healthcare and suggests that the next stage of his vision involves expanding beyond acute care to include community health and upstream health determinants. The speaker considers this as the continuation of Douglas' legacy.

💡National Community Health Strategy

A national community health strategy involves a coordinated plan to address health through a community-based approach, emphasizing prevention, wellness, and the social determinants of health. The speaker calls for such a strategy, expressing hope that the Harper government will prioritize it alongside funding for acute care.

💡Health Care Costs

Health care costs refer to the financial burden associated with providing healthcare services. The speaker critiques the current debate, which often centers on controlling costs in acute care, arguing that investing in upstream health and community-based care can be more cost-effective and beneficial in the long term.

💡Public Perception of Healthcare

Public perception of healthcare, as described in the script, refers to a societal belief that healthcare primarily involves fixing issues through technology and surgery, much like repairing a car. The speaker critiques this mindset, suggesting that it overshadows the importance of preventative care and community health interventions.

💡Determinants of Health

Determinants of health encompass a wide range of factors that influence an individual's health, such as economic status, education, environment, and lifestyle. The speaker argues that healthcare should prioritize addressing these determinants through community-focused strategies, as they play a significant role in preventing illness.

💡Harper Government

The Harper government refers to the Canadian federal government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In the video, the speaker reflects on the government's majority status and expresses cautious optimism about its potential to support a national community health strategy. However, they also note the importance of attaching conditions to healthcare funding to ensure it addresses upstream health determinants.

Highlights

The speaker introduces the concept of a 'third revolution' in healthcare, focusing on quality of life and social determinants of health rather than just acute care.

The next revolution in healthcare is described as a shift in attitude toward understanding how communities, working environments, and personal habits impact health.

The speaker argues that society often places too much emphasis on advanced technologies and surgeries, overshadowing the importance of upstream determinants of health.

Tommy Douglas's vision for Canadian healthcare is discussed, with the speaker emphasizing the need to move beyond acute care to include community health initiatives.

There is a societal belief that doctors can fix any health issue, which the speaker believes has hindered broader thinking about preventive and community-based healthcare.

The speaker highlights the importance of a national community healthcare strategy and expresses cautious optimism about its potential under the Harper government.

The speaker emphasizes the need for conditions to be attached to healthcare funding, ensuring that provinces focus on determinants of health and community care.

Community health centers (CHCs) are seen as key vehicles for addressing the broader determinants of health and improving population well-being.

The speaker reflects on personal experiences growing up in a working-class immigrant family, which shaped his passion for healthcare reform and community-based solutions.

The speaker identifies Tommy Douglas as a significant influence on his views, particularly in advocating for both acute care and community health services.

The speaker notes that the healthcare system is overly focused on acute care, and urges for a more balanced approach that includes community health initiatives.

There is a need for greater leadership and focus to elevate community health initiatives to the level of national policy, according to the speaker.

The speaker calls for an integrated approach to healthcare that includes both acute care and preventive measures driven by community health determinants.

The speaker acknowledges the efforts of individuals working in communities but stresses the need for policymakers to recognize and support these initiatives.

The speaker concludes by reaffirming the importance of community health initiatives and the need for national leadership to prioritize these efforts alongside acute care.

Transcripts

something wrong you delivered quite a

bit of a burn were speaking to the

support of CHC one of the things I

wanted to talk to you about was one of

the last things you mentioned was this

notion of a third revolution and I'm

really interested in in that so could

you sort of frame that up a bit more how

you view what's coming what needs to

happen in terms of CFCs in terms of the

next revolution in healthcare well I

think the next revolution what I'm

trying to say about that is a switch and

attitude which I think we've had for a

number of years and it's an important

concern that our efforts should be spent

with respect to our acute care are when

we fall ill we have not traditionally

thought about all the things which can

contribute to our illness quality of

life and this is I think the important

new dimension of the debate it is a

third revolution because we have to pick

up on this sense that how we live and

the communities within what we relate to

our working friends our time constraints

all of these factors have a big impact

on our lives quality of lives and

and I think this is a third revolution I

think it's important as controlling

communicable diseases and it balances

off that you can care which is for it's

too long dominated as important as it is

that health care costs in debates so

it's the third revolution is also the

second stage or hopefully the second

stage of what Tommy Douglas hoped for in

terms of medical care medical aid in

Canada why is this taking so long

well I can only answer from my own

personal practical experiences preview

in the province of Saskatchewan Tommy

Douglas is prophecy and that is I think

that the the culture places so much

emphasis on the fancy technologies when

I say fancy don't mean to diminish it

the new discoveries and respective

medications that tremendously heroic

efforts of surgery this is where we get

the publicity all the time and in

society there is kind of a belief I'm

overstating it generally I'm not saying

for everybody that we can pretty well do

with him on end and we walk to ourselves

and the committees exist only they are

somebody will be able to repair us much

like a mechanic with repair broken down

the car that's is it is the psychology

and that's when the barrier to

communicating it's perception that

thinks this in the public namely that

you can do anything you want to yourself

you can live in any environment you want

if you got access to the doctor it's a

fix in place I'm not saying the doctors

believe that I think society believes

that right so one of the other things

called for in your talk was a really

pressing need for a national community

health care strategy given that the

Harper government is now

majority how optimistic are you that

that's actually going to take place in

the next few years well I'm I'm hopeful

I'll put it that way I think a lot

depends on the values system which guide

the the Prime Minister the fact that he

is going to replenish the funding on the

acute care side of health care for the

6% a yearly going all the way back to

the 2004 Accord is probably a good thing

probably the caveat that I would attach

is if the money is going to be extended

again renewed and extended this time

round

unlike in 2004 Ottawa should be trying

to attach conditions to that money being

transferred to the provinces one of

which should be the need to organize in

individual jurisdictions working with

individual communities the concept of

determinants determinants upstream

healthcare community health centres

because as I say they're the opposite

ends of the same coin illness and the

community health determinants the CDC

worked together that's the reality of it

now it does mr. Harper have that

philosophy or approach I did not know

but all I can say is we'll see what his

actions and his words about - I would

say that him that if you're going to be

pumping this money in a healthcare

system make sure there a lot of it is

directed to where the benefits have

proven to be much more valuable than

that is to the upstream determinants of

health concept CH sees as a vehicle I

wanna end with one final question is a

question absolutely kind of governor

last year you're clearly passionate

about this issue personally why

well I'm affected by two or three

factors first of all I'm the son of

Ukrainian immigrant parents my mother

and father were born in the old country

in Ukraine I was born here and I don't

overstate this but it was a wee reporter

father worked all of his life on the

railways a section man couraged mediate

union university and education but in

those days they didn't have Medicare and

understood exactly the challenges that

face them and thousands like them so in

Douglas obviously inspired me from

Saskatchewan wanted to get the first

phase the barrier between acute care

between those who needed and them to get

it attenuated if not reduced

I was great idea but that time I was

convinced for the Sophocles young

ideologically my own mind reason

prevailed that the next message which

Douglas was also communicating at the

same time was just as important namely

complementing it was CeCe's community

health links and the light so I was a

product of the circumstances in

Saskatchewan there was no room for

middle ground

you couldn't sort of say yeah this is

good a little bit of this bad I'll

consider you had to choose in that

debate and I chose based on my values my

experiences based on the influence of

this great individual that was that

humanity and mankind in this province

and generally we can adopt this model

would be improved by doing so those were

the fact the factors which convinced me

to to get into that policy point of view

and I feel more strongly about it today

than I did when I made the decision to

join I think it's needed more today than

I did that perhaps I didn't understand

it fully then but it sure is needed now

and there is an emerging movement it

just needs a little more focus and more

profile and more determined leadership

by people who I know are working very

hard in the community and doing good

things community but to take it one

notch up and that is to bring it to the

attention of the policymakers the

premiers the prime minister health care

people in the like okay thank you for

that

give me