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Educational Resources

MHST 601- Philosophical Foundations of Health Systems

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Unit 1: Inter-Professional Connectedness

Melrose, S., Park, C. & Perry, B. (2015). Creative clinical teaching in the health professions. Retrieved from http://epub-fhd.athabascau.ca/clinical-teaching/

Digital Content Curation: More Important Than Ever! (2016). Retrieved from https://www.linkinglearning.com.au/digital-content-curation-more-important-than-ever/

What are Digital Competencies?| Bryn Mawr College. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.brynmawr.edu/digitalcompetencies/what-are-digital-competencies

Nations, D. (n.d.). Serious Question: What Exactly is Social Media? Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-social-media-explaining-the-big-trend-3486616

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist News (ACOG). (2013). Social media professionalism in the medical community [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N8A5LMlego

Unit 2: Federal and Provincial Health Systems in Canada

Health Canada. (2005). Canada Health Act-Links to Provincial and Territorial Health Care Web Resources. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/canada-health-care-system-medicare/provincial-territorial-health-care-resources.html

The Council of Canadians. (n.d.). Factsheet: Understanding the Canada health act. Retrieved from https://canadians.org/sites/default/files/publications/CHA%20Feb%202010.pdf

Flood, C.M. & Thomas, B.P. (2016). Modernizing the Canada Health Act. Ottawa Faculty of Law Working Paper No. 2017-08. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2907029

University of Lethbridge. (2018). Professional Portfolios. Retrieved from https://www.uleth.ca/education/resources/professional-portfolios

Unit 3: Health of Canadians- Understanding Health and Determinants of Health

Sartorius, N. (2006). The Meanings of Health and its Promotion. Croatian Medical Journal, 47(4): 662–664. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080455/

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This article discusses three definitions of health. 

The first is that health is the absence of disease or impairment. The second is that health is a state in which an individual can adequately cope with the demands of life. The third is that health is a state of balance that an individual establishes within himself and his social and physical environment.

Huber, M. (2011). Health: How should we define it? British Medical Journal, 343, (7817), 235-237. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23051314

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This article argues that the WHO definition of health as complete wellbeing is no longer fit  given the rise of chronic disease, and proposes changing the emphasis towards the ability to adapt and self manage in the face of social, physical, and emotional challenges.

Bircher, J., Kuruvilla, S., (2014). Defining health by addressing individual, social, and environmental determinants: New opportunities for health care and public health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 35(3): 363-386. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/jphp.2014.19

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This document outlines the Meikirch Model of Health which outlines health as a complex adaptive system with ongoing interactions between the individuals’ potentials, demands of life, and the influence of social and environmental determinants. 

What Determines Health? (2011). Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html

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The Government of Canada examines factors both inside and outside the health care system that affect our overall health. The twelve key determinants of health are discussed within this document. 

What is health? The Ability to Adapt. (2009). The Lancet, 373 (9666): 781. Retrieved from

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673609604566/fulltext

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This article states that health is not a fixed entity and varies for every individual depending on their circumstances.  describes health as the ability to adapt to one's environment. Health varies for every individual depending on their circumstances. 

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World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Constitution of WHO: Principles. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/about/mission/en/

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The definition of health according to the World Health Organization which was entered into force in 1948.

Unit 4: Multilevel Approaches to Understanding Health-Beyond the Individual

Canadian Council on Social Determinants of Health. (2015). A Review of Frameworks on the Determinants of Health. Retrieved from http://ccsdh.ca/images/uploads/Frameworks_Report_English.pdf

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This document provides a summary of seven different frameworks that have been developed based on the determinants of health. These frameworks describe and illustrate how health is influenced.

Frieden, T.R. (2010). A Framework for Public Health Action: The Health Impact Pyramid. American Journal of Public Health, 100 (4): 590-595. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2836340/

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In contrast to most ecological frameworks with the individual in the center, this document describes the framework of a five-tier pyramid for public health action with socioeconomic factors listed at the base of the pyramid and having the greatest potential to improve health.

Psychology Notes HQ. (2010). What is Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory? Retrieved from https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/bronfenbrenner-ecological-theory/

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This document summarizes American Psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and the five levels of external influence on how a child will grow and develop. The five levels of influence include the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem.   

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Economic and Social Research Council. (2018). The Dahlgren-Whitehead Rainbow. Retrieved from http://www.esrc.ac.uk/about-us/50-years-of-esrc/50-achievements/the-dahlgren-whitehead-rainbow/

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This document briefly summarizes the Dahlgren-Whitehead Rainbow model which describes the relationship between individuals and their environment and health.

Bircher, J., Kuruvilla, S., (2014). Defining health by addressing individual, social, and environmental determinants: New opportunities for health care and public health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 35(3): 363-386. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/jphp.2014.19

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This document outlines the Meikirch Model of Health which outlines health as a complex adaptive system with ongoing interactions between the individuals’ potentials, demands of life, and the influence of social and environmental determinants. 

Unit 5: Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

McCloskey, R., Jarrett, P., Stewart, C. & Nicholson, P. (2014). Alternate Level of Care Patients in Hospitals: What Does Dementia Have To Do With This? Canadian Geriatrics Journal (CGJ), 17(3):88-94. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4164681/

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This article discusses patients in acute care hospitals who no longer require acute care, also referred to as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients. Majority of ALC patients have a diagnosis of dementia and have been waiting in hospital for over one year for a long-term care bed in the community. 

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). (2016).Dementia In Canada: Recommendations To Support Care For Canada's Aging Population. Retrieved from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/dementia-in-canada_recommendations-to-support-care-for-canadas-aging-population.pdf?la=en 

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This document discusses hoCanada's aging population has lead to a greater number of individuals with dementia and a corresponding need for care not only in healthcare facilities but also the community. 

Alzheimer Society Canada. (2018). About Dementia. Retrieved from http://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/About-dementia

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This website provides information about dementia and Alzheimer's disease including videos, dementia numbers in Canada, signs and symptoms, risk factors etc... 

Health Canada. (2007). Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/reports-publications/primary-health-care/chronic-disease-prevention-management.html

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This document discusses the prevalence of chronic disease in Canada and the importance of primary health care services for chronic disease prevention and management. The primary health care transition fund is discussed within this document. 

World Health Organization. (2017). Dementia -A Public Health Priority. Infographic Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/dementia/infographic_dementia.pdf?ua=1

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This infographic sheet provides information about dementia and the global action plan on the public health response to dementia. 

Alzheimer Society British Colombia. (2015). Jim's Story Dementia Friendly Communities [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ynYNKMTkhs

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Jim Mann shares his story about living with dementia and the need for a national dementia strategy to improve access to care, increase awareness and help build dementia friendly communities. 

Unit 6: Vulnerable Populations

World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Elder Abuse Infographic Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/elder_abuse/Elder_abuse_infographic_EN.pdf

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World Health Organization (WHO) infographic factsheet on elder abuse. 

The Government of Ontario. (2017). Aging with Confidence: Ontario's Action Plan for Seniors. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/aging-confidence-ontario-action-plan-seniors

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Seniors (aged 65 and older) are the fastest growing age group in Ontario. This document examines Ontario's action plan for addressing the diverse needs of our seniors, and the programs and services available to help support them live independent, healthy, socially connected lives. 

Pillemer, K., Burnes, D., Riffin, C., & Lachs, M.S. (2016). Elder Abuse: Global Situation, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies. The Gerontologist, Volume 56, Issue Suppl_2, Pages S194-S205. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/56/Suppl_2/S194/2605277

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This article provides an overview of the global issues associated with elder abuse, focusing on prevention. 

Culo, S. (2011). Risk Assessment and Intervention for Vulnerable Older Adults. British Colombia Medical Journal (BCMJ), 53(8):421-425. Retrieved from http://www.bcmj.org/articles/risk-assessment-and-intervention-vulnerable-older-adults

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This article discusses the issue of vulnerable older adults who live at risk in the community, many of whom have significant cognitive, psychiatric, and physical problems but do not seek medical attention. Assessment and intervention requires a multidisciplinary approach. 

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO). (2014). Best Practice Guideline (BPG). Preventing and Addresssing Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults: Person-Centered, Collaborative, System-Wide Approaches. Retrieved from http://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/abuse-and-neglect-older-adults

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This best practice guideline acts as a tool to help guide best practices in preventing and addressing abuse and neglect of older adults

Elder Abuse Ontario (EAO). (2018). Stop Abuse, Restore Respect. Retrieved from http://www.elderabuseontario.com

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This webpage provides information on the types of abuse, signs and symptoms, and how to report abuse cases in Ontario. 

Unit 7: Future Directions

Canadian Medical Association. (2016). The State of Seniors Health Care in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.cma.ca/En/Lists/Medias/the-state-of-seniors-health-care-in-canada-september-2016.pdf

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This document discusses the impact of our aging population on Canada's health care system and the need for a national seniors' strategy in order to improve seniors care across the country. 

Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2011).Seniors and the Health Care System: What is the Impact of Multiple Chronic Conditions? Retrieved from 

https://secure.cihi.ca/free_products/air-chronic_disease_aib_en.pdf

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This document discusses the prevalence of chronic conditions and comorbidity in seniors and the impact this will have on our healthcare system. Seniors with chronic conditions have poorer health and require considerable health care resources. 

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Russel, A. (2017). Is Canada's health-care system ready for our rapidly greying population?Global News. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/3429041/healthcare-stats-canada-2016-census/ 

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Global News article discussing priority areas of action in order for Canada's healthcare system to keep up with our growing and aging population. 

Allen, B. (2015). 5 Ways Robots are Delivering Health Care in Saskatchewan. CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/5-ways-robots-are-delivering-health-care-in-saskatchewan-1.2966190

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This article reviews how robotic and portable devices are changing the way we deliver care to patients in remote locations. 

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