LE3 .A278 1997

1997

Powers, Ann Marie

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis uses a structuralist framework to examine the pressures that are being exerted on the Canadian health care system. The analogy that is used refers to a playing field. By shifting the location of the goal posts and changing the rules of the game, the old goal posts disappear and their objectives become irrelevant. The thesis asks those people who actively seek to influence government social policy, what their perceptions are on the benefits and problems caused by increased privatization initiatives in the Canadian health care system. A number of critical themes have emerged from this study. From a structural perspective there are three key points: the position of the health care system within the public system; the position of the public system within the emerging framework of the national government and the position of the national government within the global economy. From an ideological perspective the theme centres on the analysis that is coming from both the 'new' right and the 'new' left. The management theme is of the relative importance of 'evidence' in the development of public policy designed to meet the goals and objectives of the health care system. The theoretical model of the convergence of interest demonstrates the pressures that are creating an environment where the goals and objectives of the Canada Health Act have become obsolete. It appears that in recent times the 'goal posts' have moved and the rules of the game have changed. Finally, the question returns to the challenge of maintaining the public's trust in the Canadian health care system.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3005