Healthcare Policy

Healthcare Policy 21(3) May 2026 .doi:10.12927/hcpol.2025.27772

Unlocking Surgical Capacity Through Collectable Time: A Multi-Level Policy Framework for Canadian Health Systems

Jean-Pierre Eskander and Trevor Bardell

Abstract

Canadian healthcare confronts persistent surgical capacity constraints driven by demographic pressures, economic limitations, and inefficient resource utilization. Despite substantial resource requirements, operating rooms frequently remain underutilized due to misaligned policies and incentives. Introducing “collectable time” provides a foundation for comprehensive policy reform to resolve these inefficiencies. Addressing these inefficiencies through detailed, multi-level policy changes is critical to sustainably improving healthcare system productivity. Embedding collectable time metrics within institutional, provincial, federal, and regulatory frameworks could increase surgical capacity without requiring additional staff or infrastructure.

 

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