Resources
Canada’s health workforce ecosystem is working to address current health workforce challenges and plan for the future. Here are some links to tools, resources and insights currently available.
A Pan-Canadian Approach to Advancing Health Workforce Data
Canada’s health workforce is the backbone of our health system. To plan effectively for workforce needs and service delivery now and into the future, we need data that is timely, trusted, and actionable. Fragmented data systems, inconsistent standards, and limited interoperability make it difficult to answer critical questions like:
- Which types of healthcare providers are working, where, and in what capacity?
- How can workforce supply be aligned with population health needs?
- How can data be best used for workforce planning to improve care outcomes and system performance?
The Pan-Canadian Health Workforce Data Strategy, led by Health Workforce Canada and developed with partners across jurisdictions, takes a practical step toward addressing these challenges. It outlines a shared and coordinated approach to improving how health workforce data is collected, governed, shared, and used across Canada.
Rather than aiming for a perfect end state, the strategy focuses on realistic, incremental progress. Designed to evolve over time, it outlines the desired future state of health workforce data and provides practical recommendations to move forward.
Report: State of Health Workforce Modelling and Forecasting in Canada
Health Workforce Canada is pleased to share the release of its “Current State Analysis Report on Health Workforce Modelling and Forecasting in Canada.” This report was developed through extensive consultations with federal, provincial and territorial government modelling teams, academic researchers, and professional associations. It draws on insights from over 50 interviews and a literature review conducted in spring 2024.
The report highlights several challenges in health workforce modelling, such as fragmented data-sharing practices and limited data on rural, remote and equity-deserving populations. It also identifies opportunities for enhancing collaboration and innovation in health workforce planning.
Health Workforce Canada is grateful to our many collaborators who provided invaluable guidance on this report.
To access the report, click here.
Nursing Retention Toolkit
At more than 450,000 strong, nurses comprise the largest group of regulated health professionals in Canada. They are critical to patients and Canada’s health care system. However, nurses are facing increased workloads, high rates of burnout, stress, anxiety and depression.
To help support and retain nurses, Canada’s Health Minister and the Chief Nursing Officer for Canada have released a Nursing Retention Toolkit. Called Improving the Working Lives of Nurses in Canada, the kit was created by nurses for nurses. It is designed to provide employers and administrators with the tools they need to improve health and wellness for nurses.
Health Workforce Canada commends the many outstanding nurses who have devoted time and energy to creating this rich resource.
Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals Resource Hub
N4 – The National Newcomer Navigation Network has launched the N4 IEHP Resource Hub, a comprehensive platform that provides resources, tools, reports, and an up-to-date list of supports for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs), organizations supporting them (stakeholders) and employers. It promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and integration of these professionals into Canada’s health care system.
Health Workforce Canada is grateful to N4 for providing this valuable resource to help support Internationally Educated Health Professionals.
Mental Health CARE Toolkit for Health Workers
Health Workforce Canada is pleased to share a mental health toolkit of resources for health workers provided by the Canadian Health Workforce Network (CHWN). CHWN has partnered with several health professional and leadership organizations to create this extensive online, bilingual searchable toolkit of resources to address the rising rates of health worker burnout leading to unprecedented rates of attrition from the workforce. These resources build on research undertaken through the CIHR and SSHRC funded Healthy Professional Worker Partnership and a CIHR funded study of health worker burnout.
Access the tool here.