Top challenges in healthcare in 2024 in Canada

Top challenges in healthcare in 2024 in Canada

Access to Care:

Ensuring timely access to healthcare services, including specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and surgeries, remains a challenge. Long wait times for certain medical procedures have been a concern in Canada.

Aging Population:

Canada, like many other developed nations, is experiencing an aging population. An aging demographic poses challenges related to increased demand for healthcare services, long-term care, and management of chronic conditions.

Healthcare Funding and Sustainability:

Adequate funding and sustainability of the healthcare system are ongoing challenges. Balancing the need for increased resources with fiscal responsibility is crucial for maintaining the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Digital Health Integration:

Integrating digital health technologies, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine, into the healthcare system presents both opportunities and challenges. Ensuring interoperability, data security, and equitable access to digital healthcare solutions are important considerations.

Mental Health Services:

Mental health challenges and the demand for mental health services have been on the rise. Addressing mental health stigma, improving access to mental health resources, and integrating mental health into primary care are ongoing priorities.

Workforce Shortages:

Shortages of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, are a concern. Efforts to recruit and retain healthcare workers, particularly in underserved areas, are crucial for maintaining service levels.

Indigenous Health Inequities:

Addressing health inequities faced by Indigenous populations in Canada remains a significant challenge. Improving access to culturally competent healthcare, addressing social determinants of health, and involving Indigenous communities in healthcare planning are important considerations.

Chronic Disease Management:

Managing the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases poses a challenge for the healthcare system. Strategies for prevention, early detection, and effective management of chronic conditions are essential for improving health outcomes.

Drug Affordability and Access:

Ensuring affordable access to prescription medications is an ongoing concern. Efforts to address drug pricing, negotiate bulk drug purchases, and improve access to essential medications are key priorities.

Public Health Preparedness:

Maintaining public health preparedness, including response to infectious diseases and public health emergencies, is crucial. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of robust public health systems and effective crisis management.

Health Inequities:

Addressing health inequities related to socioeconomic factors, race, and geography is a complex challenge. Strategies to promote health equity may involve targeted interventions, community engagement, and policy changes.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

Facilitating effective collaboration among different healthcare professionals and disciplines is important for providing comprehensive and coordinated patient care. Breaking down silos and promoting interdisciplinary communication can enhance patient outcomes.

Healthcare policies, priorities, and challenges may evolve, and staying informed about current developments is essential for understanding the landscape of healthcare in any given year.

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Other challenge areas

Below are the top areas identified by 1,378 senior healthcare executives in an Arcus survey. Contact Arcus for insights on these and other areas in healthcare where organizations face challenges and are looking for best practices.

  • Labor shortages
  • Telehealth
  • Cybersecurity
  • Invoicing and payments
  • Advancing health equity
  • Digital health
  • Healthcare prices
  • Healthcare staffing shortages
  • Patient experience
  • Advances in technology
  • Burnout
  • Compliance
  • Financial difficulties
  • Patient safety
  • Data integration
  • Effective payment model
  • Health system mergers
  • Managing remote staff
  • Stress
Service coverage

The variety, breadth, and depth of the projects where Arcus can be a resource are made unique by each client’s specific needs. By providing a very small sample of projects we’ve completed, we can help you understand how and when to use our services. Visit the links below to find out more about a specific problem or opportunity you would like to address.

Below is a sample of the range of services that Arcus has provided to clients.

  • A survey of 2,350 consumers and 1,320 business leaders for feedback on sustainability trends
  • Architecting a multi-year change strategy for a Fortune 500 company
  • Mentoring a CEO on organizational change
  • Excellence transformation of a leading B2B services company
  • Creating a new sales deployment model for a healthcare company
  • Developing a position evaluation and compensation model for a professional medical association   
  • Improving services to customer segments by deepening their understanding of customer attitudes

“Arcus manages to consistently deliver tangible results on market research and strategy projects. They combine deep business expertise, powerful research capabilities, and innovative thinking to deliver substantial value.”

– Vice President, Nikon