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Comparative Health Policy Paper:
The Need for Optimization of In-Home Nursing Care Across the Globe
Department of Nursing, Trent University
NURS-4106H
In Canada, home care nursing services are seen as less of a priority compared to the rest
of the healthcare system. This presents as a major health crisis when coupled with our aging
population and patient complexities, where as a result, resources are allocated to acute care
settings such as hospitals and specialized medical facilities where immediate results are seen,
, 2
leaving significant ramifications for our community health nurses (CHNs) and most vulnerable
populations living in the community. Underfunded community health nursing services further
perpetuates health inequities, limits access to essential care, increases the risk of hospitalization,
and contributes to nurse dissatisfaction. In order to address these concerns and optimise CHNs
practice, it requires concerted efforts from policymakers, home care employees, managers, and
service providers from within Canada and around the world to increase public awareness and
push for radical reform of home care nursing services.
Keywords: community health nursing, public health nursing, district nursing, home care
services, registered nurses, nursing challenges, optimization of home-care
Problem and Background
Nurses are among the most largest providers of home care services yet they are
significantly undervalued and overlooked when it comes to healthcare reform and resource
allocation in the community (Ganann et al., 2019). They are skilled practitioners who have risen
to the challenge especially since the pandemic in caring for complex patients and dealing with
ever-increasing responsibilities. The needs of these patients who require government funded
home care are rising in terms of acuity ranging from pain management and peritoneal dialysis to
chemotherapy and chronic ventilator care (Home Care Ontario & OCSA Nursing Practice
Council, 2023). This means that community health nurses must have the appropriate resources,
training, compensation, and staffing in order to meet these patients complex needs. Home Care
Ontario published a news release in January of 2024 that warned policy makers of the over
growing system pressures in the home care sector urging for additional investments. They
launched a new campaign called, “More Home Care” that states how Ontario’s senior population
is set to increase by 15% in the next five years which will place staggering demands on our
Comparative Health Policy Paper:
The Need for Optimization of In-Home Nursing Care Across the Globe
Department of Nursing, Trent University
NURS-4106H
In Canada, home care nursing services are seen as less of a priority compared to the rest
of the healthcare system. This presents as a major health crisis when coupled with our aging
population and patient complexities, where as a result, resources are allocated to acute care
settings such as hospitals and specialized medical facilities where immediate results are seen,
, 2
leaving significant ramifications for our community health nurses (CHNs) and most vulnerable
populations living in the community. Underfunded community health nursing services further
perpetuates health inequities, limits access to essential care, increases the risk of hospitalization,
and contributes to nurse dissatisfaction. In order to address these concerns and optimise CHNs
practice, it requires concerted efforts from policymakers, home care employees, managers, and
service providers from within Canada and around the world to increase public awareness and
push for radical reform of home care nursing services.
Keywords: community health nursing, public health nursing, district nursing, home care
services, registered nurses, nursing challenges, optimization of home-care
Problem and Background
Nurses are among the most largest providers of home care services yet they are
significantly undervalued and overlooked when it comes to healthcare reform and resource
allocation in the community (Ganann et al., 2019). They are skilled practitioners who have risen
to the challenge especially since the pandemic in caring for complex patients and dealing with
ever-increasing responsibilities. The needs of these patients who require government funded
home care are rising in terms of acuity ranging from pain management and peritoneal dialysis to
chemotherapy and chronic ventilator care (Home Care Ontario & OCSA Nursing Practice
Council, 2023). This means that community health nurses must have the appropriate resources,
training, compensation, and staffing in order to meet these patients complex needs. Home Care
Ontario published a news release in January of 2024 that warned policy makers of the over
growing system pressures in the home care sector urging for additional investments. They
launched a new campaign called, “More Home Care” that states how Ontario’s senior population
is set to increase by 15% in the next five years which will place staggering demands on our
