Scale as an explanatory concept: evaluating Canada's Compassionate Care Benefit

Abstract

The concept of ‘scale’ and usage of this term have raised much debate within human geography over the past 25 years. At the same time, these very debates have developed the concept dramatically by offering new considerations of its use. Building on notions that scale is experienced and that scalar concepts offer a vocabulary to articulate complex phenomena, this analysis aims to explore the relevance of scale as an explanatory concept used by informal family caregivers and front-line health and social care workers when discussing their experiences with a Canadian social programme, the Compassionate Care Benefit (CCB). The goal of the CCB is to provide income assistance and job security to those who take temporary leave from employment to care for a terminally ill family member. As part of a larger evaluative study on the CCB, semi-structured interviews with 57 family caregivers and 50 front-line health and social care workers from across Canada were conducted and transcripts were thematically analysed. Emerging from analysis of both datasets was the common usage of scalar concepts, specifically ‘region’, ‘community’ and ‘home’. Respondents employed these scalar categories to reference both differences and relationships in highly spatial and comparative ways, and also to organise and articulate their thoughts in ways meaningful to them and their lives in place. Based upon these scalar categories and issues highlighted by respondents, particular spatial challenges and inequities are illuminated, and implications for the CCB and its administration are identified. These findings provide insight into the complex ways family caregivers and front-line health and social care workers make sense of their world and more specifically, understand how federal programmes like the CCB operate. By considering how such programmes are experienced in scalar ways, knowledge can be maximised and thus, informed decision-makers can more effectively meet the needs of programme users.