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D countries suggest that short-term solutions aimed at increasing the overall supply of physicians do not necessarily translate into improvements in their supply in these communities (quote). Instead, strategies and policies will need to work towards assisting rural and remote community needs over long-term periods. A strategy as recommended by the Romanow Commission includes having the Rural and Remote Access Fund support the expansion of telehealth approaches. Telehealth is a prime example of using innovative methods to deliver healthcare services to communities in need. It has the potential to overcome the obstacles of distances to improve access to health care in rural communities, ranging from diagnosing, treatment, and consultations over various distances. A variety of approaches can be used ranging from tele-triage to tele-education, and more recently, to tele-homecare.

Provinces, such as Newfoundland and Labrador have done extensive work on telehealth initiatives. Recognizing these potential benefits, the Government of Nunavut has also signed agreements with the governments of Australia and Newfoundland and Labrador to share information and new developments in telehealth. In their view, increased use of telehealth technology will result both in cost savings and in improved health for territorial residents. Thus, the Rural and Remote Access Fund should be used to expand telehealth applications. Funds should be used to support the necessary equipment within smaller communities as well as the necessary education, training and support to allow these technologies to be used and managed effectively. In addition, telehealth investments should reflect individual community needs and ensure that necessary policies are in place for licensing health care providers to deliver health services at a distance; training and support is available to facilitate effective and efficient use of telehealth applications; and the impact of telehealth applications on health outcomes in rural and remote communities is assessed (quote).

过渡段-Transition paragraph

As mentioned earlier, it is not possible to examine every challenge currently facing the Canadian healthcare system in one setting, and additionally suggest strategies that should be implemented for each issue. Nonetheless, this paper has examined three of the main concerns, including sustainability, recruitment and retention, and the health of rural and remote communities. These issues are expected to continue to be a concern if effective and efficient strategies are not put into place in the near future. By examining the proposed strategies, a common theme stretches across the spectrum. This includes the need for strategies to take on more innovative approaches, such as telehealth, and also to involve collaborative multi-levels of government, healthcare agencies and professional organizations, such as inter-governmental funding formulas and collaborative education training. With the fast pace growth of healthcare needs forecasted to place a 'heavy burden' on the healthcare system, such strategies will be required for today and tomorrow's healthcare challenges.