2011-06-15: Citizens’ Reference Panel on Health Services – Journal entry #4

Citizens panellists reach the final stretch by drafting the final report

The third and final weekend of the Citizens' Reference Panel (CRP) began Friday June 3^rd with the panellists arriving early and showing an eagerness to continue their engagement in the future of health care dialogue. With the exception of a single guest speaker, this weekend primarily focused on the panellists translating the issues, challenges and possible solutions identified during the second weekend into solid actionable recommendations. Peter MacLeod provided a synthesis of some key highlights from each of the presentations made over the previous two weekends. This gave the panellists a solid foundation from which they worked in small groups to derive consensus on recommendations for the future.

The group work was framed by some of the common health and wellness concerns of the Ontario citizens (e.g., aging, chronic disease, caregiver burden and access to care) as well as those that are top of mind for government and providers (e.g., funding and sustainability of the health system, efficiency and quality). Panellists were encouraged to challenge and debate the issues among themselves to reach agreement on their recommendations.

After much lively and lengthy discussion, the panellists reached a level of consensus on some of the fundamental gaps and points of opportunity in the health system. In general, they agreed on the following:

• Need for greater integration of care services
• Need to address Pharmacare, costs and accountability
• Need to develop core principles to guide the use of electronic health records
• Need for quality assurance in the provision of health care
• Shortages and aging of health professionals (especially physicians)
• Adequacy of mental health care services.

On the last day, panellists dove into the work of drafting the CRP report which will include points of discussion and recommendations related to following components:

• Who we are, what we’ve learned and our goals
• Navigating and accessing the health system
• Timeliness of care
• Accountability and incentives
• Communication and language
• Information sharing and collection, and privacy
• Patients as partners
• System integration
• Pharmacare, primary care and community care
• Prevention and promotion
• Mental health and special health needs

A report will subsequently be generated and circulated to the panellists for review in its entirety and then released to the advisory board members, session presenters and general public on June 22, 2011.

Upon closing the final weekend, the leadership team and panellists expressed their gratitude and appreciation to one another for their participation and the opportunity to participate. Having experienced a bit of an emotional journey over the course of their participation, the panellists left mentally exhausted but optimistic that their work and recommendations have the potential to have an impact on the system as a whole. Special thanks to Dr. Wendy Levinson, physician, researcher and University of Toronto professor, for her presentation on patient and family-centred care.

Upon reflection, many of my colleagues from PwC and I have been touched by 28 individuals who came together for an experience they did not fully comprehend in advance and through the journey developed a bond and an outcome greater than the sum of the parts. Each of the panellists in their unique way shaped and touched the final outcome.

I look forward to sharing the report with all of you soon. We’d love to hear your feedback.