Health System Performance Indicators

We measure the performance of the economy through a number of measures, such as unemployment rates, growth rates, new housing starts, levels of capital investment and the strength of the Canadian dollar against other currencies. What does the public want to know in order to assess whether the health system is performing well? In the complex area of health we will need a combination of a number of measures to communicate to the public in order for them to assess the performance of the health system.

In February 2003, the Prime Minister and Premiers announced the First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal, which built on the various commissions and task forces conducted by federal and provincial/territorial governments. Through the Accord, First Ministers agreed that enhanced accountability and improved reporting mechanisms are needed to demonstrate to Canadians that health care reforms are indeed occurring. Consequently, First Ministers concurred that: reports needed to be developed on the health system of comparable indicators on the themes of quality, timely access, sustainability (efficiency and effectiveness) and health status and wellness.

Recently, in November 2004, the second version of the comparable indicators report entitled Healthy Canadians – A Federal Report on Comparable Health Indicators 2004 was released. As stipulated in the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal, Health Ministers were to continue developing comparable indicators that addressed four key themes and six priority areas. As of Feb 2004 there is only one indicator in the set of 70 that addresses pharmaceuticals - prescription drug spending as a percentage of income. A more comprehensive view is needed. To that end, Merck Frosst initiated a project designed to address the critical question: Where do pharmaceuticals fit in terms of a performance measurement system that will maximize gains in health in Canada? An initial report was produced in 2001 and now we have updated the report to reflect new knowledge (Feb 2004). The report provides some key recommendations and suggested indicators and is based on a combination of a literature review and interviews with key stakeholders.


Executive summary:
  Health System Performance Indicators – Where Do Pharmaceuticals Fit?

Full Report:
  Health System Performance Indicators as a Tool for Maximizing Health Gain in Canada