Rural and Remote Health Care Reform in Canada: Rural and Urban Perspectives
Growing and aging populations, technology, inflation and rising expectations have created strong pressures to reform health care even in countries where the health care system is seen to offer accessible, high quality care and controlled spending. A key focus of reform in countries with large, low density rural populations has been the effort to ensure that rural residents receive the same high standards of care as their urban counterparts, despite the geographic, demographic and technological challenges associated with delivering that care in a cost effective manner. Using qualitative research methods, this study investigates views about accessibility, quality and governance/ accountability reforms proposed as solutions to current rural and remote health care problems, contrasting rural and urban attitudes about reform in a policy making context dominated by limited resources, conflicting priorities, and entrenched interests.
Keywords: Health Care, Reform, Rural and Remote, Focus Groups, Contingent Valuation
Dr. Manfred F. Maute
Associate Professor, School of Administrative Studies, York University
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Dr. Julia Richardson
Assistant Professor, School of Administrative Studies, York University
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Ref: M06P0597