Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. (2010). “Transforming Care for Canadians with Chronic Health Conditions: Put People First, Expect the Best, Manage for Results.” Retrieved from http://www.cahs-acss.ca/transforming-care-for-canadians-with-chronic-health-conditions-put-people-first-expect-the-best-manage-for-results-2/.

An estimated 16 million Canadians live with some chronic condition. These Canadians and the families and friends who care for them need a healthcare system that meets all of their needs. Some people’s needs are relatively simple, involving the management of a single chronic condition, while other people’s needs are increasingly complex, requiring the management of several chronic conditions concurrently. At the same time, there are huge concurrent demands that challenge the sustainability of our healthcare system.

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences appointed an international Expert Panel of leading thinkers and researchers who volunteered their time to conduct an 18- month review, assessing the needs of people with chronic conditions, examining existing evidence and the state of the Canadian healthcare system, and contributing their expert opinions on emerging ideas about the appropriate care and support for these people. This comprehensive process led them to a consensus on a vision:

All Canadians with chronic health conditions have access to healthcare that recognizes and treats them as people with specific needs; where their unique conditions and circumstances are known and accommodated by all of their healthcare providers; and where they are able to act as partners in their own care.

For more information on this topic, view a CHCM presentation by the authors of this report.