development of a multistakeholder framework/index of rurality, The

Aboriginal Nurse, The, Summer 2003

This report is the result of a joint initiative by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC), and the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPA).

The goal of the collaboration was "to develop a tool to be used for health care planning purposes, as well as a means for recruiting and retaining health care providers to rural and remote communities. This project was possible through funding from Health Canada: Rural and Remote Health Innovations Initiative.

"9. RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on its experience with the multistakeholder framework/index of rurality project, members of the Steering Committee believe that the following initiatives would be beneficial next steps, subject to the availability of sufficient resources (financial and human). The Committee also underscores the need to ensure that stakeholder input, including both government and nongovernment organizations and community groups, are included.

The Steering Committee recommends:

1. That a meeting of those groups that have developed rural community frameworks/indices be convened to: discuss the effectiveness of these tools, consider possible linkages, and determine how these frameworks/indices could calibrate provider funding programs. Representation from government and key stakeholder groups such as the Canadian Federation of Municipalities should be included at this meeting.

2. That the effectiveness of health care provider incentive programs offered across the country be evaluated and results communicated to stakeholder groups, including governments (provincial and regional) and non-government organizations, professional associations, community groups and others.

3. That, subject to sufficient resources, the multistakeholder framework/index of rurality be expanded to address the social/lifestyle, cultural and economic aspects of rural/remote communities or be leveraged with other tools already developed to address these issues.

4. That a research program be developed to facilitate a comparative analysis of health care provider and service issues between rural and remote communities, rural/remote communities and urban areas, and between rural/remote and Aboriginal communities.

5. That, in response to evaluation feedback, a benchmark for rural and remote community healthcare delivery standards (health care providers and service availability/access) be developed. This benchmark would optimize the usefulness of the multistakeholder framework of rurality, enhance comparisons between rural/remote areas, and assist in identifying model communities.

6. That a web-based, electronic version of the framework/index be developed along with other community health human resources planning tools. This would simplify framework/index calculations and make the tool broadly accessible.

7. That a research program be developed to seek input from a broad range of rural/remote health care providers on issues such as satisfaction with the professional and personal aspects of rural life, service delivery, and other."

NOTES

1 Mandate and Priorities; First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada; (Updated 2001-05-18, accessed 2002-01-17); http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb-dgsp-ni/fnihb/mandate_priorities.htm 149Community Health Programs; First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada; (Updated 2001-06-05, accessed 2002-01-17); http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb-dgspni/fnihb/chp/about.htm

2 Community Health Programs; First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada; (Updated 2001-06-05, accessed 2002-01-17); http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb-dgspni/fnihb/chp/about.htm

3 Action on Nursing: National Nurse Retention and Recruitment Strategy; Minister of Public Works and Government Services, 1999, Catalogue No. H34-98/1999, ISBN: 0-662-64310-0.