This unit provides an introduction to the Canadian health care system. It explores what constitutes the health care system in Canada including how it is structured and funded. Learners will develop an understanding of their role as practical nurses within the system and consider what health means to them personally. The unit objectives are to comprehend the current health care system and issues, and demonstrate respectful professional behavior. Learning activities include discussing questions, creating a personal coat of arms representing one's definition of health, and answering review questions about the key aspects of the Canadian health care system.

1. UNIT 1
Introduction to health care

2. UNIT 1
Introduction to health care
The health care system is one of the pillars of
Canadian society.
What makes up the health care system in Canada?
How is it structured?
Who funds it? How?
As a practical nurse, you are an essential part of the
Canadian health care system. Where do you fit?
Most of us believe that everyone has the right to
health care. What does that mean to you?
We have lots of ideas to explore!
Let’s get started ….
OUR LEARNING OUTCOMES
This unit will give you an opportunity to:
• Comprehend the current Canadian
Healthcare system and issues related to
Global Health.
• Demonstrate respectful, appropriate
professional behaviour and effective
interpersonal interactions with others in the
learning environment in accordance with
their standards of practice as well as the
protocol outlined in NSCC Great
Expectations.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Introduction to health care ....................1
Learning activities ..................................2
Review questions ..................................4
Personal coat of arms ............................5
Extend your learning..............................6

3. Learning activities (tentative)
To complete this unit, you’re expected to:
GET READY
Read the appropriate chapter(s) in your textbook. Check your schedule for details. Post
your questions to the discussion board.
To prepare for the activities in this unit, answer the review questions in this unit. (You
don’t need to submit them.). Answering these questions will also help you prepare for
upcoming tests.
ACTIVITY 1
Burning questions
Take a look at all your study guides and course materials in TLM. Click on the sidebar
links to find handouts and other resources. (You might find it helpful to print out your
course materials and organize them in a binder.)
WHAT TO POST
What’s one burning question you have about this course before we begin? If someone
else posts a question that you can answer, go for it! Continue to use this topic for any
burning questions you may have throughout the course.
RESPOND
Respond to any question you can answer.

4. ACTIVITY 2
Coat of arms
What does health care mean to you? Here’s an opportunity for us to share our ideas
about health and what it means to us. Understanding our own definitions of health lays
the foundation for what we’ll learn in this course.
WHAT TO POST
Post your own personal Coat of Arms which represents your definition of health. Be
creative! You can make a drawing & post a picture of it. You can post a short video.
(Cell phone videos are ok!) Tell us about your design. How does it represent YOU?
RESPOND
Respond to at least one other learner. Whose values are similar to yours? Did anything
surprise you?
RESOURCES
You’ll find a template at the end of this unit. Feel free to use it if it helps!

5. Review questions
1. Define the principles of the Canada Health Act (1984) (try
the link http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/pubs/systemregime/2011-hcs-sss/index-eng.php#a3 ). What are the five
pillars of this act?
2. Trace the history of Canada’s national Medicare program
(try the link http://medicare.ca/main/the-facts/the-historyof-medicare )
3. Outline how the Canadian health care system is structured
and explain how it is funded
4. State the WHO’s definition of health
5. Define the following and give examples of services of health
care at each level:
• Primary health care
• Secondary health care
• Tertiary health care
6. State the difference between primary care and primary
health care
7. Explain the role of each of the following in delivering health
care in the community:
• Public health
• Physician’s offices
• Community health centers and clinics
• Assisted living
• Home care
• Adult Daycare centers
• Community and voluntary agencies
• Occupational health
• Hospice/Palliative care
• parish nursing
8. Using the internet and what you’ve learned by reading your
textbook, identify some areas of health care reform in
Canada. What factors drive health care reform?
9. Outline some global trends in healthcare. Indicate how
these effect, relate to the Canadian healthcare system
(consider technology, health workforce utilization, emerging
professions, legal and ethical issues, and society and
consumer movements)

6. A TEMPLATE
Personal coat of arms

7. Extend your learning
Here are sites you can visit to learn more:
Health Canada | Health Care System
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/index-eng.php
Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
http://novascotia.ca/dhw/
Health Care Reform
http://healthcouncilcanada.ca/rpt_det.php?id=481