Without a family doctor? Physicians offer some short-term solutions – CBC

Suggestions include tips for finding a family doctor to keeping copies of your medical records

Oct 30, 2022

Millions of Canadians are without a family doctor, and with long waits at ERs and walk-in clinics, many are wondering where they can get the care they need.

So how can people make sure their health is taken care of when they don’t have a regular primary care provider?

There isn’t one answer, as individual health needs are complex and can vary based on factors like age, family history and any existing chronic illnesses. The first tip is not to give up on finding a family physician, as many doctors agree that people should have a family doctor or primary care provider.

“We need that continuity of care to make sure that you don’t get into trouble,” Dr. Peter Lin, a family doctor in Toronto, and a director of the Canadian Heart Research Centre, told Dr. Brian Goldman on The Dose.

“Family doctors … primary care [providers], nurse practitioners … are really good at pattern recognition to try and figure out what’s going on and put the pieces together.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/health-solutions-without-family-doctor-1.6633367