Key Resources, References & Links
This page is a central hub for essential links, documents, and tools related to healthcare in Ontario, with a focus on legislative frameworks and professional resources for respiratory therapy practice. It provides easy access to key topics that shape healthcare practices, policies, and advancements. You'll find curated resource links under each topic, along with blog reading links to further enhance your understanding.
Topic-Based Curated Resources
Below is a curated selection of topic-based resources. You can access these in two ways: click on the blog link for a specific topic to find a list of related resources at the end of each blog post, or go directly to the resources page for that topic. A complete list of curated resources can be found here:
Insights from MHST 601
MHST 601, the introductory course in the Master of Health Studies program, provided a strong foundation for my journey. It explored the factors influencing health in Canada within the healthcare system and emphasized interprofessional collaboration. Through discussions and reflective exercises, I gained valuable insights into how various stakeholders shape health outcomes.
Provincial Perspectives on Indigenous Health in Canada - ON vs NB
Indigenous children often experience delayed respiratory diagnoses due to cultural biases, limited access to care, and environmental factors. This blog explores how healthcare access and management differ between Ontario and New Brunswick for these children.
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Marginalized Populations - Refugee Children with Disabilities
This blog explores the unique challenges faced by refugee families with children who have disabilities upon arriving in Canada. These families often struggle with limited access to healthcare, special education, and other essential resources, compounded by the stress of adjusting to a new country and culture.
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Provincial Perspectives on Chronic Disease Management - ON vs NB
This blog compares how New Brunswick (NB) and Ontario (ON) approach chronic disease surveillance, management, and funding, highlighting the different ways each province addresses similar public health challenges.
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Exploring the Socio-Ecological Factors in Neuromuscular Disease
This blog explores the Social-Ecological Model of health, which examines how individual health is shaped by factors at various levels, from personal to societal. I apply this model to patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) to better understand how these conditions impact individuals across different societal levels
Provincial Perspectives on a Multilevel Model of Health - ON vs NB
This blog explores the socio-ecological model of health, which emphasizes how individual, community, and policy factors influence health outcomes. It compares these factors in Ontario (ON) and New Brunswick (NB).
A Multilevel Approach to Progressive Neuromuscular Disease
This blog explores the Socio-Ecological Model, which examines how individual, community, and societal factors shape health. I’ve applied this model to better understand and address the needs of patients with progressive neuromuscular diseases, such as ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, and MS.
Exploring Canada's Determinants of Health
This blog goes into the key determinants of health in Canada, exploring the personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence both individual and population health, and how they shape effective health policies and interventions.
Provincial Perspectives on Determinants of Health - ON vs NB
This blog compares health determinants in Ontario and New Brunswick, focusing on how healthcare access, lifestyles, and social factors shape health outcomes. The contrast between Ontario's urban centers and New Brunswick's rural areas highlights how location and resources influence population health.
Professionalism
This blog highlights the role of Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in interprofessional healthcare teams, emphasizing their collaborative, patient-centered approach to managing respiratory conditions across various settings.
Rethinking the Definition of Health
This blog discusses Krahn et al.'s (2021) redefined concept of health, describing it as a dynamic balance of physical, mental, social, and existential well-being. The article highlights how health definitions have evolved, introducing terms like "dynamic" and "adaptation."
Resources on RT Governance
Health Canada Act
The Canada Health Act is federal legislation that defines the framework for universal healthcare in Canada. It sets out five core principles: public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility. These principles guarantee fair access to medically necessary hospital and physician services nationwide, while banning user fees and extra charges for insured services.​​
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Regulated Health Professions Act
The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) in Ontario sets standards for over 20 healthcare professions to ensure public safety and quality care. It defines scopes of practice, accountability, and establishes regulatory colleges to manage licensing, discipline, and conduct. The RHPA balances patient protection with healthcare provider autonomy, fostering trust in the system.
Respiratory Therapy Act
The Respiratory Therapy Act in Ontario regulates respiratory therapists (RTs), defining their scope of practice and ensuring they provide safe, effective respiratory care. It establishes the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) to oversee licensing, competency, and professional conduct, maintaining high standards for patient care and professional integrity.
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Respiratory Therapy Associations
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
The College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) is the regulatory body overseeing respiratory therapists (RTs) in the province. It ensures RTs meet high standards of practice, ethics, and competency through licensing, continuing education, and professional accountability. The CRTO protects public safety by enforcing regulations, addressing complaints, and promoting quality respiratory care across healthcare settings.
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) is the national professional association representing RTs across Canada. Dedicated to advancing the profession, the CSRT provides advocacy, education, and resources to support RTs in delivering high-quality respiratory care. It promotes professional development, sets practice standards, and encourages collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes and respiratory health nationwide.
Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario
The Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting respiratory therapists (RTs) across the province. It advocates for the profession, promotes high standards of practice, and provides resources for professional development. The RTSO works to enhance patient care, advance respiratory health, and foster collaboration among RTs and healthcare stakeholders in Ontario.
Professional Tools & Resources
Ontario Ministry of Health
The Ontario Ministry of Health website provides resources on healthcare services, including OHIP, mental health support, and local care initiatives, aimed at improving access and quality for all Ontarians.
Lung Health Foundation
The Lung Health Foundation website offers resources, information, and support for individuals affected by lung diseases. It focuses on raising awareness, promoting lung health, and providing education on conditions like asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.
Athabasca University
The Master of Health Studies program at Athabasca University provides advanced education for healthcare professionals aiming to enhance their expertise in leadership, policy, and research. The program is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to tackle complex issues in the healthcare sector.