Taking stock of healthcare reforms: A research program on transformative capacity of healthcare systems in Canada

Reforms of healthcare systems are on the political agendas of all OECD countries. Reforms aims at improving health care delivery systems, optimizing the use of resources and advancing population health. Healthcare systems face similar challenges like controlling costs, better managing chronic diseases and preventing health problems among the population. Provinces take various initiatives to improve their healthcare systems. Quebec will implement a major restructuring coupled with policies to increase the productivity of general practitioners. Ontario has launched numerous initiatives within the context of the Excellent care for all Act including payment for performance for healthcare organizations and the creation of informal healthcare networks (the Health Links) to support the delivery of better care for complex patients. Saskatchewan has launched a system-wide implementation of lean management systems to improve system performance. The overarching theme of our research program is the strategies used in different healthcare systems to improve their adaptation and performance. In this research, we will focus on three questions: 1) what are the resources and capacities governments and healthcare organizations need to offer better care; 2) What are the role of networks and partnerships between various sectors in delivering better care and improving the health of the population; and 3) how to engage healthcare providers in initiatives to improve care?. Our research will look at significant improvement initiatives among health systems of different provinces.