Select one of the following topics for the subject of your term paper. In your paper, state clearly the arguments or points you intend to make, and use evidence to strengthen your arguments. You can draw on course readings, discussions with your tutor and material you identify as part of your research. Where you reference readings to support your arguments, be sure to acknowledge the sources.
The term paper should be 8 to 10 pages in length, plus references and a bibliography. Your assignment should be typed or word-processed, and double-spaced.

Topics

1. The Canadian Constitution assigns different responsibilities and authority to the federal and provincial governments. Essentially, it assigns the responsibility for funding and providing health services to the provincial governments. How has this division of responsibilities and powers affected the development of health programs across the country? What do you consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of this division of power?

2. You are a policy maker in a province that is considering changing the way it pays physicians. Most of the physicians in this province are currently on a fee-for-service system. You have been asked to look at alternative modes of physician payment and the experience of these modes in other jurisdictions (i.e., other provinces and countries). Compare and contrast these modes, and indicate whether a mode other than fee-for-service might be more suitable for your province. Will it be suitable for all kinds of physicians? Will a mixture of methods be preferable?

3. Policies are created to serve a perceived need. However, policy development takes place in the real world, with stakeholder groups and other influences at play. Policy makers and bureaucrats therefore face many challenges as they seek policy solutions to genuine problems. This, in turn, usually affects different groups and institutions in various ways. Policy is made within a number of settings, including

The social environment and expectations thereof - cultural, ethnic and religious.
The physical environment - climate and natural resources.
The economic environment - economic stability, industry and business, wealth or poverty, and unemployment.
The political environment - political parties, government structures, ideologies, interests and lobbying, and issues of the day.

Discuss the development of the Canadian health care system, and identify the settings that you believe influenced it the most. Describe how they influenced the development of the system we have today.

4. In 2001 and 2002, the federal government and a number of provincial governments established committees or task forces to review health care and make recommendations for reform. This move clearly indicated that there were issues across the country in health care policy and delivery. Reviews were conducted in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and by two committees/commissions at the federal level. What were the common issues identified by these review bodies? Which issues differed amongst the review bodies? What action, if any, has been taken based on the recommendations? Can you think of any fundamental difference between the federal and provincial reports? Do you consider the creation of review bodies-which has occurred in Canada numerous times-to be a worthy endeavour?

5. In recent decades, there have been increasing calls for both accountability of the health care system and increased involvement of ordinary citizens in decision making and priority setting. Different kinds of public engagement have been tried. However, there does not seem to be agreement on exactly what the role of the public ought to be, nor on the best means of engaging it. Discuss what you believe to be the benefits of public engagement in health care decision making, and what the difficulties are in making this engagement happen. Can you think of a way in which the provincial government could engage its citizens in decision making? Which decisions do you believe the public ought to have a say about? Should you have difficulty with the requirements of this assignment, do not hesitate to contact your tutor to discuss it before you begin working on it.

Submit your completed assignment using the Assignment link. Your tutor will evaluate your assignment for accuracy and completeness, and will thensend it back to you with comments.