Improved Access Through Innovations

in Health Human Resources

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Drivers of Innovation in Health Human Resources

Population Drivers:

• more numerous and older

• more culturally diverse

• more chronic than acute diseases

• increasingly involved, informed consumers

• seek complementary and alternative care

• focus on wellness and disease prevention

Health Provider Drivers:

• older and seeking career transition and retirement

•continue to come from a range of other nations

•want more balance and flexibility in their careers

•work in a mobile, international and opportunity-laden market

•demand healthy and stimulating workplaces

•need new educational models to deal with a rapidly evolving base of knowledge and technology

Health System Drivers:

• increasingly based in the community setting

• delivered by interprofessional teams

• focus on health promotion and disease prevention

• greater use of new technology including tele-medicine, robotics and genetics/proteomics

…. New expectations, capacities and roles are demanded of our workforce

We must act now!

More of the same…

the same practice models,

the same educational systems,

the same planning approaches…

will not prepare us

High demand and system pressures creates motivation and opportunity

for innovation

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Introducing HealthForceOntario

What is HealthForceOntario?

• HealthForceOntario is Ontario’s innovative, multi-year, plan to ensure that the right number and mix of appropriately educated professionals are available now and in the future to meet the needs of Ontarians

• Introduced May 3, 2006

• Created in partnership with Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities; and the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

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Focus on Access(Health Results Team)

New Structure & Process(LHINs)

Health Providers(HFO Strategy)

HealthForceOntario In Context

Healthier Ontarians

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Information & Planning Capacity

Assessment &Education

Practice Environment

Right number and mix;in right place at right time; with the right skills

HealthForceOntario Strategic Framework

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HealthForceOntario -- Principles

• Must include broad range of providers in the system

• Recognize educators, leaders, patients, family and community as key members of the strategy

• Align with government priorities• Must engage government,

providers, employers, planners, and the people who use the system

• Ensure safety and competency for patients and providers

• Encourage patient/client focused collaborative care

• Must recognize and treat health care providers as core assets, ‘value centres’, in the health care system

• Must be a ‘package’ for all sectors and players- short, medium and long term

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HealthForceOntario -- Goals

• Make Ontario more competitive

• Maintain and develop a competitive work force

• Establish new roles in areas of high need

Make Ontario the employer-of-choice in health care

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Increasing access by increased supply ….

• Increase Nurse Practitioner education seats from 75 to 150

• Increase positions for International Medical Graduates from 90 to 200

• 70% increase in Family Medicine training positions

• 23% increase in medical school positions including a new Medical School and 3 new satellite campuses

• Doubling of midwifery positions

• 3X increase in pharmacy positions including a new school of pharmacy

• Since 2000 >=10% increase in practicing OT, PT, MRT and MLT

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HealthForceOntario – New Roles

New roles…Under Pilot Implementation

Physician Assistant

Nurse Endoscopist

Surgical First Assist

Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist

Anaesthesia Assistants

Advanced Practice Physiotherapists

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HealthForceOntario – New Roles

New roles…Under Legislative/Regulatory Process

Pharmacy Assistants

Prescribing authority for Optometrists and RN-EC

Dental Hygienists scaling and planning without an order

Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Psychotherapy

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HealthForceOntario – New Roles

New roles…Guiding Principles

Proof of principle exists Local champions for demonstration Area of need Part of patient centred team based care – not

competition/replacement Safety

Thank You