Historical Changes in Healthcare
Beginning in the mid 1980's, both the federal and provincial governments began restructuring initiatives in healthcare as a result of economic pressures (Deber, 2003; Marchildon, 2005; Naylor, 1999).
By 1995, the majority of provinces and territories had instituted some form of regionalization as a means to constrain healthcare spending (Marchildon, 2005).
As a result:
- Healthcare facilities closed (Cummings & Estabrooks, 2003)
- Decrease in hospital beds and hospital length of stay
- Massive layoffs led to a shortage of healthcare providers (Grinspun, 2003)
- Services formerly provided in the hospital setting were pushed into home care and long term care (Cummings & Estabrooks, 2003)
- Long wait lists for specialized services and emergency deparments (Naylor, 1999)
- Increased emotional exhaustion amongst providers and administration (Cummings & Estabrooks, 2003)
- Decreased job satisfaction, recruitment and retention of health care providers
- High burn out and absenteeism of healthcare providers