Question 1

Which of the following models merges several hospitals under one administration but maintains several sites?

Accepted Answer

The Horizontal model merges several hospitals under one administration but maintains several sites.

Question 2

What organization provides digital solutions for Canada's health care system?

Accepted Answer

Canada Health Infoway is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with provinces and territories to accelerate the development and adoption of digital health solutions across Canada.

Question 3

Which province or territory has the highest per capita health spending?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Which of the following is a common model of payment for physicians?

Accepted Answer

The most common model of payment for physicians is the fee-for-service (FFS) model, where physicians are paid for each individual service or treatment they provide to a patient. This model is used in many countries including the United States and Canada. Option A is incorrect because it is not a common model for physician payment, although it may be used in some instances. Option B is also incorrect because physicians are generally not remunerated based on their referral rate. Option C is incorrect because municipalities may employ physicians, but they are typically paid using a salary model rather than the FFS model.

Question 5

With capitation-based funding, which patient would the doctor receive the most payment for on an annual basis?

Accepted Answer

In a capitation-based funding system, the doctor receives a set amount of money per patient per year regardless of how many times the patient is seen. Patients with more complex and chronic conditions, such as an 83-year-old with cardiovascular disease and arthritis, are likely to be allocated a higher capitation rate due to their anticipated need for more frequent and comprehensive healthcare services.

Question 6

What can be a negative consequence of hospital merging?

Accepted Answer

Hospital merging may result in layoffs and a loss of seniority among staff as the new organization may prioritize retaining employees with more specialized skills or experience. Duplicate services may also be consolidated, potentially leading to layoffs or a reduction in the range of services offered, but this is not universally negative. The centralization of support services may increase efficiency and reduce costs, but this is not a universally negative consequence of merging. Clearer definition of professional roles may be positive or negative depending on the specifics of the merger.

Question 7

Which of the following represents a change in practice that reduces hospital costs?

Accepted Answer

Same-day admissions allow for more efficient use of hospital resources and reduce the need for overnight stays and additional staffing, ultimately leading to cost savings. Drug insurance plans and larger hospitals may actually increase costs, and the formation of regional health authorities may have a mixed impact on hospital costs depending on the specific implementation.

Question 8

What are the two largest cost drivers of health human resources in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Physicians and nurses are the two largest cost drivers of health human resources in Canada. While drugs and technology are also significant costs in healthcare, they are not human resources. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 9

What are equalization payments?

Accepted Answer

Equalization payments are an allowance from the federal government to provinces or territories that have less money than the national average, enabling them to provide comparable levels of public services, including health services, at similar taxation levels.

Question 10

What is capitation-based funding?

Accepted Answer

Capitation-based funding is a funding formula used to pay physicians who participate in a primary care reform group. It involves paying a fixed amount per patient per unit of time, regardless of the services provided. This type of funding is often used to incentivize primary care providers to focus on prevention and provide more comprehensive care to their patients, as they are not compensated based on the number of procedures or services they provide.

Question 11

What tax credit is available to individuals caring for an infirmed family member?

Accepted Answer

The Canada Caregiver Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that is available to individuals who are caring for a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent with a physical or mental impairment. The credit amount varies depending on the dependant's net income and the caregiver's relationship to the dependant. The other options listed are not actual tax credits.

Question 12

Which age demographic is most reliant on the health care system in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Adults over the age of 75 are generally more reliant on the health care system due to the increased prevalence of chronic conditions, acute medical issues, and the need for specialized geriatric care as people age.

Question 13

What is generally the most cost effective option for supporting individuals that require continuing care?

Accepted Answer

Home care is generally the most cost-effective option for supporting individuals that require continuing care as it allows the individual to remain in the comfort of their own home while still receiving the necessary care and assistance. Public lodges, long-term care facilities, and private residential facilities can be significantly more expensive and may not always provide the same level of personalized care as home care.

Question 14

Brand-name drugs cost more than generic drugs and are protected under a piece of legislation called the Patent Act.How long are brand-name drug patents applicable in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Brand-name drug patents in Canada are applicable for 20 years. After this time, other companies can produce and sell generic versions of the drug, which are much cheaper. This is intended to encourage competition and make medication more affordable for consumers.

Question 15

How are public long-term beds funded?

Accepted Answer

Public long-term care beds are typically funded through a co-payment model where the cost is shared between the client and the provincial or territorial government.

Question 16

What action must a hospital with a financial status 'in the red' take?

Accepted Answer

Hospitals with a financial status "in the red" must find ways to reduce costs or be approved for extra funding. Opening additional beds and increasing services and staffing would lead to more expenses rather than reducing them. Returning surplus funds to the ministry of health is not applicable as the hospital is already in a financial deficit.

Question 17

Which of the following is a reason for rising drug costs in the Canadian health care system?

Accepted Answer

As more people are taking multiple medications, the demand for drugs has increased, leading to rising drug costs. Fewer employers offering drug insurance plans or rising birth rates do not necessarily have a direct impact on drug costs. Drug patents expiring earlier may lead to more competition and potentially lower costs, but it is not a reason for rising drug costs in the Canadian health care system.

Question 18

What is a major concern beyond the costs in the delivery of long-term care?

Accepted Answer

While costs are certainly a concern in long-term care delivery, one of the biggest concerns is the quality of care that patients receive. Long-term care patients may be vulnerable to neglect, abuse, or inadequate medical treatment, and ensuring they receive appropriate care is critical. Technological change, targeted drugs, and upstream strategies may all be factors to consider, but they are not the primary concern beyond cost.

Question 19

Service-based funding is one model of hospital funding.Which of the following is another prevalent method to organize hospital funding?

Accepted Answer

Block funding is another prevalent method to organize hospital funding, where hospitals receive a set amount of funding based on their historical costs and the anticipated demand for services. This differs from service-based funding, which pays hospitals for each service they provide. Capitation-based funding refers to funding based on the number of patients enrolled in a specific provider's care, while Canada Health Transfer and Equalization payments are federal funding mechanisms for provinces and territories in Canada.

Question 20

A low-income family has a child with a chronic condition and does not have a private medical plan.They are not able to afford the medications that their child requires.What coverage is available for this family?

Accepted Answer

Catastrophic drug cost coverage is designed to help families who face high medication costs that they cannot afford, especially those without private insurance.

Quiz 4: The Dollars and Sense of Health Care Funding