Deck 2: Policy, Politics, and Power in Health Care

Question 1

How is health inequity implicated in this case?

Answer 1

-Have students discuss the various social determinants of health in relation to the specific situation of Vodina and his family. For example, how might gender, lack of proper housing, unemployment, and limited education and social support networks create health inequities?

Question 2

What is the role of CHNs in addressing alcohol dependency?

Answer 2

-Community health nurses need to systemically assess to families such as this for both individual and structural factors may impact on health and their coping mechanisms. Community needs assessment, which is a key role of CHNs should involve principles of community development and must tap into the assets and talents of community members and other stakeholders. What are the local factors contributing to this family's situation? What are the health and needs of the community (i. this particular Ottawa neighborhood? In addition to working with the individual and family (point-of-care), CHNs also focus advocating for broader structural (system) changes to improve access to health and social services.

Question 3

What combination of policy and public health interventions could be used to reduce alcohol-related harms?

Answer 3

-Strengthen community action:
i. Identify and educate community partners and the public on evidence-based alcohol approaches, intervention and policies
ii. Support community resiliency by working with partners to shift the culture of alcohol use towards a culture of moderation
iii. Mediate stakeholder and the public views to reframe heavy and binge alcohol consumption from an issue of individual choice to an issue that affects the community at large
iv. Reduce harms associated with alcohol by promoting measures with community partners such as designated driver programs
v. Advocate for the reduction of stigma associated with substance use
-Reorient health services:
i. Address Social Determinants of Health - for example, advocate for community supports that promote optimal healthy growth and development in children and the achievement of critical milestones in the early years (upstream approach)
ii. Build broad awareness on the importance of access to mental health supports across the lifespan
iii. Improve access for persons engaged in risky or hazardous drinking to brief behavioural counselling interventions to reduce alcohol misuse
-Develop personal skills:
i. Promote access to treatment through awareness and use of self-screening tools that identify problematic alcohol use
ii. Advocate for self-referral to local services
iii. Promote low risk drinking guidelines
iv. Promote abstinence among pregnant women
-Create supportive environments:
i. Enable stakeholders and the public to reframe alcohol consumption from an issue of individual choice to an issue that affects the entire community
ii. Encourage community partners to promote and offer alcohol free events
iii. Participate in policy discussions related to regulatory frameworks such as the restriction of availability, advertising, labelling, price, prohibiting public consumption and conditions of sales

Question 4

Identify barriers to workplace integration of IENs.

Question 5

What are the critical enablers of effective IEN integration?

Question 6

What are the potential impacts of workplace diversity on health equity and community health nursing practice as whole?

Question 7

List your core values for healthcare in Canada. How do your values compare with the values reflected in the five key funding criteria described in the Canada Health Act?

Question 8

How would your life be different if health care in this country was provided based on ability to pay rather than need?

Question 9

This chapter has shown that health policy decisions leave a legacy for generations. Describe briefly one policy revision you would make in the areas of primary care, public health, and home care.

Question 10

What examples can you describe of nurses' work to close the health equity gap?

Question 11

What are some health problems in your community? How can you frame them as issues within a health policy context?

Question 12

What opportunities have you encountered to promote the second phase of Medicare development?

Question 13

Leadership development is an ongoing process. What ideas do you have to develop your leadership skills and knowledge?

Question 14

On what values was the health care system founded? How do your own values fit with the societal values that are reflected in the five funding criteria described in the Canada Health Act?

Question 15

What are some of the solutions that you and your group can generate to address issues in Canada's healthcare system? What role can CHNs play?

Question 16

In an ideal world, create a health care system designed to provide the best care, to the most people, in the most costeffective manner. Describe the mechanisms for financing, allocation, and delivery. Compare and contrast this system with the current Canadian system.

Question 17

How can CHNs foster authentic relationships with community members to address health inequities?