Introduction
There is a great deal of support for the Canadian healthcare system, but there are also many questions about its long-term viability. In the second decade of the 21st century, Canada’s healthcare system and the national Medicare program continue to struggle significantly with the provision of healthcare services.
Discussion
Compared to other highly industrialized nations, such as those in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the healthcare sector in Canada receives a substantially more significant percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Medicare, the Canadian national health care program, is one of the country’s most significant sources of national pride (Allin & Rudoler, 2019). The government provides and pays for it as an example of universal health coverage. Health insurance plans supported by provincial and territorial taxes ensure that everyone has equitable access to hospitals and physicians in their respective regions. Protection, promotion, and development of the physical and mental health of Canadian residents should be the fundamental objectives of the Canadian government’s healthcare policy. In addition, the policy should allow everyone equal access to health care without financial or other barriers.
The Canadian government’s Medicare program covers the cost of seventy percent of its citizens’ medical care, while the individuals’ private insurance policies cover the other thirty percent (Allin & Rudoler, 2019). Prescription drugs, eye care, and dental care are some services that Medicare does not cover at all or only covers in a limited capacity (Andrew et al., 2018). Indigenous peoples face a magnitude of health inequities that cannot be justified. Native Americans in Canada, much like their ancestors in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, were subjected to colonialism and persecution at the hands of settler cultures (Villeneuve & Betker, 2020). It was true across the English-speaking world. A handful of provinces, including British Columbia, provide coverage for indigenous peoples through their versions of Medicare. Some healthcare services are still available on reserves that the federal government administers, and many indigenous people obtain supplemental insurance from the federal government (Villeneuve & Betker, 2020). In addition, some healthcare services are still accessible on reserves that the federal government administers.
In conclusion, the Canadian health care system is expensive therefore imposing enormous costs on Canadians through long wait times for procedures and limited access to medical personnel and new medical technologies. This is not something that any nation should even think about trying to replicate. A reformed perspective of the responsibilities that should be played by governments, providers, and the public will be what ultimately leads to the implementation of a single-payer Medicare system that will break the current pattern of stagnation. In keeping with the Canadian history of gradual, systematic, and piecemeal reform, the government of Canada needs to take proactive steps to guarantee that all Canadians will have access to a system that is both necessary and sustainable. The administration and provision of healthcare in Canada will always be the responsibility of the respective province and territorial governments.
Advantages, Drawbacks and Ethical Issues of Recruiting Internationally Educated Nurses to Fill Canadian Vacancies
Migration has major impacts on the country of origin and destination, as well as on the families of internationally educated nurses (IENs) and other migrant workers. Frequently, the loss of major health personnel resources from the source country exacerbates preexisting acute shortages (Covell et al., 2017). On the other hand, destination nations such as Canada benefit from recruiting experienced nurses who fill healthcare personnel gaps promptly. Numerous advantages accrue to the Canadian health care system due to the recruitment of IENs. Still, the country faces obstacles, including declining employment opportunities for Canadian-trained nurses, which raises ethical concerns with hiring IENs.
IENs originate from various countries, each of which has an educational system that is sometimes different from Canada’s. As a result, they are expected to increase their professional proficiency level before being considered for recruitment. According to a study conducted by Covell and colleagues (2017), the upgrading system has several limitations, implying that it cannot completely fulfill the needs of all IENs. It is important to note that foreign nurses help improve service delivery across the country by addressing pre-existing barriers to better health care (Annen, 2021). Due to this, the government of Canada needs to develop a proficiency program that is friendlier to foreign nurses and capable of measuring up to the expectations established by international nurses hence addressing the ethical issues raised concerning the program.
The remunerations that international nurses working in Canada receive as payment for the services that they perform in Canada are beneficial to them. The healthcare system in Canada is not falling behind either since it capitalizes on acquiring valuable health human resources, which contribute significantly to the supply of healthcare to the country’s residents (McDonald & McIntyre, 2019). A limited number of registered nurses who have received their education in Canada are available to serve in high-volume medical wards such as the emergency department, intensive care unit, acute care, and subacute care. Despite this reality and their contribution, IENs have a more difficult time finding career prospects in the country due to the smaller size of their social networks there (Covell et al., 2017). As a result, the government should formulate a strategy to aid the IENs in their quest to find suitable jobs in various sectors.
Conclusion
International nurses contribute significantly to the Canadian health care system despite the limitations that emerge. The services they offer are vital for the country since they provide treatment to patients and speak many languages that patients and health organizations need to communicate effectively to ensure that patients receive high-quality care. Although there are fewer positions available for nurses with national education, the nurse alleviates the problem of a scarcity of nurses.
References
Allin, S., & Rudoler, D. (2019). The Canadian health care system. International Profiles of Health Care Systems, 27-35. Web.
Andrew, M. K., Dupuis-Blanchard, S., Maxwell, C., Giguere, A., Keefe, J., Rockwood, K., & St. John, P. (2018). Social and societal implications of frailty, including impact on Canadian Healthcare Systems. The Journal of Frailty & Aging, 1–7.
Covell, C. L., Primeau, M.-D., Kilpatrick, K., & St-Pierre, I. (2017). Internationally educated nurses in Canada: Predictors of workforce integration. Human Resources for Health, 15(1), 1–16.
Annen, S. (2021). Comparative analysis of immigration processes in Canada and Germany: Empirical results from case studies in the health and it sectors. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 1–23.
McDonald, C., & McIntyre, M. (2019). Realities of Canadian nursing: Professional, practice, and power issues (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Villeneuve, M., & Betker, C. (2020). Nurses, nursing associations, and Health Systems Evolution in Canada. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 25(1).
