Family Doctor Archives – Bay College Lockwood Clinic

Understanding the Benefits of Family Practice: Comprehensive Healthcare for All Ages

May 19, 2023May 17, 2023 by Harper

When it comes to healthcare, having a primary care physician who can address the medical needs of your entire family is invaluable. A family practice offers a comprehensive approach to healthcare that focuses on providing personalized treatment plans, continuity of care, and preventive services for individuals of all ages.

This blog post will explore the advantages of choosing a family practice in Toronto. And why a primary care physician is essential to promoting overall health and well-being.

Continuity of Care: A Key Advantage

One of the primary benefits of family practice is the continuity of care it offers. You and your loved ones can establish a long-term relationship with a family physician.

The comprehensive nature of this personalized healthcare allows for a deeper understanding of your medical history, individual needs, and preferences.

This continuity enables the physician to provide personalized and tailored care considering your unique circumstances, family dynamics, and genetic factors. Having a primary care physician who knows your medical history in detail can give you more accurate diagnoses, appropriate treatments, and better management of chronic conditions.

Personalized Treatment Plans

A family practice focuses on providing individualized care to each family member. Whether it’s a newborn, a teenager, an adult, or a senior, a primary care physician can develop personalized treatment plans addressing specific health concerns.

It considers factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, and medical history to provide targeted care meeting the unique needs of each family member.

This personalized approach ensures everyone receives the right intervention, medication, and preventive measures — promoting optimal health outcomes for the entire family.

Preventive Services for All Ages

Prevention is a fundamental aspect of family practice. A primary care physician emphasizes the importance of preventive care and offers a wide range of services to promote early detection and prevention of diseases.

And when you choose a family healthcare practice in Downtown Toronto, they are right next to you. It becomes simple to access comprehensive healthcare for all ages.

You’ll have access to varied forms of primary healthcare, including:

Routine check-ups
Vaccinations
Screenings
Health education and counselling

Family practice physicians help identify potential health risks and intervene before they escalate into more significant problems. By prioritizing preventive care, family practice plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the overall health of individuals across all age groups.

Convenience and Comprehensive Healthcare

A family practice physician offers the convenience of a one-stop shop for all your family’s healthcare needs. Instead of seeking different specialists for each family member, a family physician can address various medical concerns under one roof.

Whether it’s a common cold, a chronic condition, or a preventive service, a primary care physician can provide comprehensive care for the whole family. This convenience saves time, reduces the hassle of multiple appointments, ensures efficient communication and coordination of care between different family members.

Holistic Approach to Well-being

Family practice adopts a holistic approach to healthcare. A Toronto family practice recognizes that physical, mental, and emotional well-being are interconnected.

A family physician not only diagnoses and treats physical ailments but also considers the overall well-being of each family member. They provide guidance on lifestyle modifications, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health support. By addressing all aspects of health, family practice promote a balanced and thriving lifestyle for individuals of all ages.

Building Trust and Long-term Relationships

The relationship between a family practice physician and their patients is built on trust, empathy, and mutual understanding. This trust is nurtured through continuous care, active listening, and genuine concern for the well-being of each family member.

By establishing a long-term relationship with a primary care physician, you and your family can feel confident in having a reliable healthcare partner who understands your values, priorities, and goals. This sense of trust fosters open communication, making it easier to discuss sensitive health issues and seek guidance when needed.

In Short

You just want your family to be okay. The recent pandemic has further understated the importance of closely monitoring your family’s healthcare. When you’re looking for a comprehensive healthcare solution for your family, consider a family practice.

For us at Lockwood Clinic, the well-being of your entire family is our priority. We provide personalized care right here in downtown Toronto. Our family doctors will listen to your healthcare needs, stay intuitive with preventive healthcare and provide tailored treatment where necessary.

Call us today at 1-800-667-0923 or walk into our family practice in Toronto today.

How Do I Find a Good Family Doctor in Toronto?

January 12, 2023October 18, 2022 by Mark

Finding a family doctor in Ontario may not be a difficult task. Family doctors, also known as general practitioners, are usually the first line of medical check-ups and diagnoses.

A good family doctor will cater to the basic health needs of your family. Here are some significant reasons for choosing the best family doctor in Ontario for your home.

A family doctor gives accurate diagnoses and anticipates troubling illnesses.
A family doctor is usually more affordable.
A family doctor can refer you to a qualified specialist if the need arises
A family doctor becomes familiar with your family history for future uses
A family doctor is more accessible and more convenient

This article will cover the best ways to find a family doctor and list potential suggestions. Let’s dive into it, shall we?

What to Look for in a Good Family Doctor?

This section will review some considerations and suggestions for getting a good family doctor in Ontario.

Which Clinic Do They Work at?

Typically, a family doctor can treat anyone from infants to senior citizens. The doctors offer a holistic service that caters to all demographics. However, it’s not enough to know the doctor; you need to know where they’re coming from.

Before deciding how to choose a family doctor in Ontario, we suggest you find out where they work. You’ll get insights into the work ethic and values of the family doctor.

Furthermore, you’ll understand the source of the doctor’s skill set. Hence, knowing the source will help you know what to expect from the doctor’s service.

Proximity to your Home

There’s a reason they are called family doctors. You must ensure your family doctor lives close enough to your home. The proximity of the family doctor is essential in dealing with medical emergencies.

The average family doctor in Ontario should be at least 30 minutes away from your home. Therefore, you need a family doctor close enough to be available at the drop of a hat.

Furthermore, you also need to ensure your daily schedule can accommodate an appointment with your family doctor. There are bound to be other priorities in your life, like school or work. Hence, endeavour to work out a schedule with your family doctor for any frequent checkups.

Check out Patient Reviews and Feedback

Another set of criteria that guides how to find a good family doctor in Ontario is patient feedback and reviews. You want to ensure you can get information on their previous work with other patients.

However, looking out for authentic reviews from actual patients is essential. You don’t want to be tricked into falling for false reviews and picking an inexperienced doctor.

Furthermore, it’s not enough to check the patient reviews alone when looking for a family doctor in Ontario. It would help if you also looked at the responses to patient reviews, particularly critical ones. How the family doctor responds to criticism can give your insight into their level of professionalism.

Confirm the Credentials and Qualifications of the Family Doctor

A family doctor will be handling you and your family’s welfare. Therefore, it’s crucial to confirm the qualifications of the family doctor beforehand. You can ask for specific medical certificates that certify the doctor is qualified.

In addition, a family doctor in Ontario must also have a certificate from a state hospital that approves them for practicing family medicine in the area.

You can also ask for peer-reviewed articles from the family doctor for further confirmation. Peer-reviewed documents provide an avenue to reach out to alleged colleagues to confirm the doctor’s credentials.

Gender

Now, the sex or gender of a doctor doesn’t determine their medical proficiency. However, certain family members may be more comfortable with a particular doctor whose gender aligns with theirs.

For example, a female patient undergoing hormonal imbalances or fertility problems may be more comfortable with a female family doctor. Hence, gender can determine how you choose a family doctor in Ontario.

In addition, a male patient experiencing heart problems might feel more at ease sharing their issue with a male doctor. The train of thought is that the male doctor would understand the situation more due to the possibility of having experienced a similar problem.

Ultimately, the gender of the family doctor doesn’t determine the medical prowess of the doctor. So, go out there and get the best family doctor in Ontario that is well-certified and proven.

Related Article: How Do I Add My Spouse to UHIP?

What to Look for in a Family Doctor?

We’ve gone over some essential suggestions for choosing a family doctor in Ontario. However, there are certain things to look for in the individual doctor.

The best doctor for your family must display the following characteristics.

Punctuality

There’s no better time than the present. Punctuality is an essential factor in any human profession. This trait is fundamental in the medical field.

Hence, you want a family doctor who always arrives on time for an appointment. A tardy family doctor can mess up your regularly scheduled day and frustrate your plans.

Therefore, one of the best ways to find a family doctor ideal for you is to test their punctuality. You can schedule a couple of family checkups over a few weeks and watch their response time. Whatever result you get will determine the family doctor’s efficiency in emergencies.

Hygiene

Hygiene might seem like a no-brainer, but you must have a clean and well-packaged family doctor. Watch how the family doctor takes care of their personal hygiene. Ultimately, the way doctors take care of themselves is how they would treat you.

However, hygiene isn’t limited to smelling clean and looking fresh. Hygiene also includes organization and presentation. You don’t want a family doctor that looks unkempt and disorganized.

Personality

No matter how skilled and efficient a family doctor is, their personality and character also matter. Patients can be understandably restless sometimes, and it’s important to have a family doctor that is tolerant and respectful.

A family doctor that is condescending and rude makes for an unpleasant visit, no matter their skill set. It shows a lack of professional courtesy for a family doctor to behave in an unruly manner. Therefore, ensure to vet your family doctor’s emotional intelligence beforehand.

Final Thoughts

Finding a good family doctor in Ontario requires work. But, the abovementioned guidelines can provide much-needed guidance and suggestions.

Lockwood Clinic can do more than just provide assistance to help you find a family doctor. Our dedicated family clinic health services include walk-in services and access to some of Ontario’s most experienced family doctors.

Call 416-921-2121 to sign up for our family clinic today.

How Do I Choose A Family Doctor?

January 12, 2023February 15, 2022 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

Choosing a family doctor is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health. A family doctor is a primary care physician who can treat patients of all ages and is your first point of contact for all your healthcare needs. As such, when you match with the right doctor they will help you on your health journey for many years to come.

However, it is possible to get a doctor who does not suit your needs. Whether it is a simple matter of location or a more complicated issue of personality, having the wrong primary care physician can often lead to patients avoiding the doctor altogether.

Here we will look at how you can make an informed decision about choosing the right family doctor for you. Will also define what a family doctor does and why it is important to have one.

What is a Family Doctor?

As the name implies, a family doctor has the knowledge and experience to treat the whole family from infants up to older adults. While other doctors will specialize in a particular discipline, family doctors have experience in a broad range of areas.

This wealth of medical knowledge makes this type of primary care physician ideal for caring for everything from the common cold to infections and injuries. They can also order blood tests, refer you to mental health professionals, and prescribe drugs and treatments for most health concerns.

However, while a family doctor can provide care and insight into most common health concerns, they will not be able to treat or diagnose more complex or rare issues. When your primary care physician cannot treat or diagnose you they will refer you to a specialist.

Why Should You Have a Family Doctor?

There are many reasons to have a family doctor but most importantly is that you will have an established relationship with a doctor when a health issue arises. Those who do not have a primary care physician when they are sick often find themselves scrambling to find a doctor or going to urgent care.

This established relationship is not only convenient, it can get you better care. A doctor who has treated you before will have a better idea of your medical history and the treatments that are more likely to work for you.

Additionally, a family doctor will also be able to recommend you to specialists as needed. A referral is often necessary and even when it is not, having a recommendation from a trusted doctor is advantageous compared to finding a specialist on your own. They are also integral to helping you manage chronic illnesses.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Family Doctor

Location

When searching for a primary care physician, it is always best to choose one that is located within a reasonable distance from your home or work. While it might initially seem acceptable to widen the search to find a physician who is the best fit, you must consider how likely you are to travel that far for regular appointments. This factor is particularly important if you need more frequent appointments to manage chronic conditions.

Who Will Be Treated

Are you searching for a primary care physician just for yourself or one who can treat your whole family? One of the best advantages of a family doctor is that many will see patients from young children all the way up to senior adults. This can be especially advantageous if you have children as you may be able to schedule appointments for yourself and children at the same time when necessary.

If you plan to take multiple family members to the same doctor, look for one who specifically treats patients of all ages. While all family doctors will have training to see a wide age range of patients, some may have additional specialization in child or elder care.

Patient Ratings

Patient ratings are often a good place to start when deciding if a doctor is right for you. Do a simple internet search for your potential doctor and look for reviews, potential complaints against them, and any other information you can find.

However, keep in mind that not all patient reviews will be relevant to your needs. For example, a patient may give a doctor a negative review because they moved their practice to a location further away. While this was not a good experience for that patient, this current location could be right for you. Therefore, make sure you read the reason for negative and positive reviews as opposed to only looking at an overall score.

Is the Doctor a Good Fit for You

While ratings from other patients are a helpful starting point, they cannot tell you how you will personally get along with a new doctor. When possible, you should seek to have a consultation with a new doctor and avoid committing to any doctor you may not feel comfortable with.

One very basic way of choosing who might be best for you, is to consider the doctor’s gender and age. While all family doctors will have the same broad medical knowledge, some may be a better fit for you if they are the same gender or similar in age. Oftentimes, patients find it is easier discussing private matters with a doctor who is the same gender and who is, therefore, more likely to have similar, personal experiences.

Find a Family Doctor in Toronto

Ready to find the right primary care physician for you? BCML is here to help. Our clinic offers experienced and compassionate primary care physicians along with dental care, physiotherapy, pharmacy, diagnostics and more. Conveniently located in the heart of Toronto, BCML’s wide range of medical services makes it easy to stay on top of all your healthcare needs. Walk-in services are also available. To learn more or to book an appointment, contact us at 416-929-1900.

How to Find a Family Doctor in Toronto

December 14, 2021December 2, 2021 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

When you’re sick, who do you call? If you do not yet have a personal doctor, this can sometimes be a tough question to answer. A family doctor, also known as a “general practitioner (GP),” is a doctor who can treat and diagnose a wide range of common illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions for people of all ages. Whenever you have a health concern that is not immediately life threatening, a family doctor can help.

So, how do you find a family doctor? There are a few ways to go about finding a family doctor in Toronto. In this article, we will look at how to find a doctor, what a family doctor can provide, and what to look for when finding the right doctor for you.

Ways to Find a Family Doctor in Toronto

Start with a simple online search for a family doctor in your area. Call individual offices to see if they are accepting new patients.
Ask friends and family if they have a doctor they are happy with.
Check online reviews for doctors in your area.
Contact local universities with medical programs. In these programs, doctors are completing their residency, a supervised training period where doctors continue their education. Residents are family doctors and fully capable of providing quality care, treatment, and diagnoses.
In Ontario, there is also Health Care Connect. With this service, you will be put on a waitlist to find an available doctor in your area. While this can be useful, certain areas may not have as many openings for new patients. Due to this, it is beneficial to try other methods while you wait to hear from the service.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Doctor

Online Reputation: Online reviews are a good starting point to see if a doctor is the right fit for you. However, it is important that you read individual reviews instead of simply looking at a number rating. This is because a patient may provide a negative rating for reasons that may not be relevant for you. For example, a patient may give negative reviews because the doctor does not have extended hours. If extended hours are not an issue for you, this is not a relevant review.

Location: While broadening your search to include surrounding cities may help you find a family doctor who is accepting new patients faster, it can set you up for failure in the long run. If your doctor is not close enough to be convenient, this can make it difficult to stay on top of appointments. This is especially true if you have any conditions that would require you to make appointments more frequently.

Consider the Facility: When choosing a doctor, look to see what other services their clinic offers. For example, if you know that you may need physical therapy,it could make sense to choose a doctor that works from a clinic that also offers PT. Medical facilities with other specialists and diagnostic capabilities can also be extremely convenient and worth considering. Also, look for reviews of the clinic itself, not just the individual doctor. This can give you insight into the clinic’s overall reputation, how up to date their technology is, etc.

What Services Can a Family Doctor Provide?

Unless your illness or injury is immediately life-threatening, a family doctor will likely be able to help. There are exceptions to this covered in the next section. Here is what a family doctor can do:

Routine check-ups and physicals
Regular health screenings
Treatment and diagnosis of common illnesses and injuries (I.E. viruses, flu, minor sprains etc.)
Help with ongoing management of chronic conditions
Prescriptions
Referrals to specialists

What Can a Family Doctor NOT Do?

There are two main things a family doctor cannot typically help with: 1) severe and life-threatening injuries and illness, 2) diagnosis of certain complex conditions. However, they can still help with ongoing care after these events and diagnoses.

For example, a family doctor may not be able to diagnose multiple sclerosis without sending you to a specialist first, but they will be able to help you with ongoing check ups and treatment after. Similarly, you would not go to a family doctor when you have just broken your leg, but you would likely see them for follow-up visits to check on healing progress.

Additionally, since a family doctor is typically only open during regular business hours, you may need to opt for an emergency room or urgent care for sudden pain or symptoms that occur at night or on a weekend. For example, a child running an extremely high fever on a sunday should not wait until the family doctor’s office opens on monday.

Why Should You Have a Family Doctor?

When you have an illness or injury that is not life-threatening, having a family doctor whom you have an established relationship with makes the process much easier. Here are some key reasons why you should have a family doctor in Toronto.

Publicly Funded: In Toronto, a visit to a family doctor is free. This may not always be the case if you go to a specialist, urgent care, or alternative medical provider.

Referrals: Though your family doctor may not be able to treat and diagnose all conditions they can refer you to a specialist who can help. In many cases, you may need a referral from a primary health care provider before you can even see a specialist. Seeing a specialist who your family doctor recommends, can give you peace of mind.

Peace of Mind: Knowing who to call when you’re sick, saves you the difficulty of trying to find a doctor when you are already feeling poorly.

Established Relationship: Building a relationship with your doctor serves several purposes. 1) as your doctor gets to know you, he or she will be better able to recommend treatments and solutions based on your preferences. 2) Similarly, a doctor you see regularly will have your information on file including which prescriptions you may already be taking and which have worked for you and which haven’t. This can reduce the chances of missing this information with a new doctor. 3) Having a familiar face to talk to when you are sick can be significantly more comforting than seeing a new doctor.

Keep Your Doctor for Life: Since family doctors can see patients of all ages, you can continue to see your doctor as long as they are in practice. A family doctor can even help during pregnancy/prenatal care though you may still need to see an OB/GYN if you have certain complications during the pregnancy.

Find a Family Doctor in Toronto

Having a trusted family doctor can make a major difference in your health and treatment. Establishing an ongoing relationship helps to ensure continuity in the care you receive and can make it easier to stay on top of regular checkups and screenings.

At BCML, we understand how important it is to establish this connection. Our state of the art facilities provide diagnostic capabilities, cardiac health services, health screenings, family doctors, and more for your health and convenience. Get connected with our caring team today, by calling 416-847-1100.

10 Reasons You Should Have a Family Doctor

November 16, 2021October 29, 2021 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

Who would you call if you had a medical concern? While major, life-threatening conditions mean an easy decision to go to the hospital, non-emergency situations can be more difficult when you do not have a regular doctor. Family doctors specializing in family medicine can serve as a primary source of care for each member of your household from children to senior citizens.

Having a family doctor in place ensures you have a reliable physician to call for regular physicals, management of chronic illnesses, minor injuries, fevers, rashes, and all the many medical concerns you and your family may face. While a family doctor may not be able to treat emergency medical situations, they can often help you avoid the factors that can lead to emergency issues. This is just one of the many reasons you should have a family doctor. Let’s look at what a family doctor does and why it is so important to form a relationship with one for your family.

What is a Family Doctor?

A family doctor is a doctor who has training in family medicine which enables them to treat patients of all ages. This differs from an internist who can also provide general care but only for adults.

A family doctor is able to:

Help you manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Refer you to specialists when needed.
Treat acute conditions such as rashes, infections, minor injuries and much more.
Provide preventative care testing and analysis.
Conduct annual check-ups.
Treat patients of all ages.

10 Reasons You Should Have a Family Doctor

Your Family Doctor Knows Your Whole History: While any doctor can read your chart, your dedicated family doctor will get to know you personally and be better able to provide personalized recommendations. This often makes the process of getting a proper diagnosis and treatment more efficient especially if there may be multiple family members suffering the same illness or condition.
You Always Have Someone to Call: As mentioned above, it can sometimes be difficult to know who to call when you have a non-emergency medical condition. While you may be able to go to a hospital for certain conditions, a family doctor can often provide faster care with less stress.
Helps You Stay on Top of Preventative Care: Though it may be easy to remember to get your eyes checked when your glasses stop performing as well, it can often be much too easy to ignore our body’s need for regular check-ups. A family doctor will help to remind you of necessary testing and let you know which tests are required based on your age and health.
Easy Specialist Referrals: While finding a family doctor who is taking new patients can be difficult, it is often far more difficult to find a specialist. Not only can a family doctor tell you what specialist you may need, they will likely have connections with specialists in the area which can help with getting an appointment.
A Family Doctor Treats Your Whole Family: For those with children in their family, a family doctor is often the ideal choice for primary medical care. This makes ensuring your whole family stays on top of regular visits much more convenient.
They Know What Treatments are Best for You: Do you like alternative treatments such as yoga or meditation before considering drugs? Do you struggle with taking your medication on time? A family doctor you have formed a relationship with over many years will often know the answer to these questions and can recommend treatment that will fit your lifestyle.
Better for the Community: While there are numerous benefits to you as an individual for having a family doctor, you will also be contributing to a healthier system for all. Studies have shown that the preventative care a family doctor provides helps to reduce emergency room visits. Not only is it good for you to avoid a trip to the emergency room, it leaves more resources for others with other emergency conditions.
Help You Manage Chronic Conditions: Regular check-ups are important for everyone but are especially critical for those with chronic conditions. Your family doctor can help you stay on track by adjusting your medications, testing, and treatment as needed.
Family Doctors Treat the Whole Person: While specialists are an important part of the medical care system, a general practitioner like a family doctor is able to help with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions and illnesses. Unlike specialists whose experience is focused on a particular part of the body or certain conditions, a family doctor is better able to take your whole medical history into consideration before prescribing treatment.
Offers Treatment Flexibility: Due to a family doctor’s extensive training in a wide range of areas, they are often able to provide or recommend a variety of treatment options. Their own knowledge base plus their connections within the medical community give them the resources needed to present you with multiple treatment options when possible. For example, while a surgeon is best equipped to recommend surgical options, a family doctor may be better able to recommend nonsurgical options as well.
BONUS Reason: Family Doctors are Free: If you are a member of OHIP, your family doctor visits are completely covered. Even more importantly, building a relationship with your family doctor can help you avoid physical, emotional, and financial costs in the long run as you work together to improve your health.

Find Your Family Doctor Today

Choosing a family doctor may seem like a daunting task or it may even seem unnecessary if you do not have chronic conditions. However, having a family doctor in place will give you and your family the peace of mind you deserve when illness or injury strike.

At BCML, we are here to help you manage your total health and find the care providers that are right for you. To connect with our primary care physicians and our team of medical care professionals, call (416) 929-1900.

Choosing a Family Doctor in Toronto

November 16, 2021October 24, 2021 by Bay College Medical and Lockwood Diagnostics

Family doctors are practitioners with a well-rounded knowledge of a wide range of common illnesses, conditions, and injuries. This training allows them to provide care and diagnosis for your whole family including children and senior citizens. Due to this, a family doctor will be your primary contact for all non-emergency health concerns which is both convenient and can better help you manage illness that may be affecting a whole household or family.

Choosing a family doctor in Toronto is an important part of keeping your whole family safe and healthy. Here we will look at ways to choose a family doctor including services that can help match you with a doctor. You can also contact Bay College Medical & Lockwood Diagnostic (BCML) directly to be connected to family doctors in the greater Toronto area by calling (416) 929-1900.

Ways to Find a Family Doctor

Finding a family doctor, also referred to as a general practitioner (GP), can sometimes take a bit of work. In certain areas and at certain times many doctors may not have openings for new patients. Here are some ways to go about finding a quality GP in your area.

Ask for Recommendations: family and friends are often the best source for finding a doctor that will be right for you. Ask about their experience with their doctor and if their doctor is accepting new patients.

Contact a Local Hospital: Your local hospital may have a family practice unit with general practitioners. Finding a GP in a hospital offers the extra advantage of having many other services available all in one space.

Health Care Connect: OHIP members can register with Health Care Connect to be matched with local physicians who are accepting new patients. This service is not guaranteed to find you a doctor as there may be limited availability of practitioners and those with the most urgent needs may be placed first. However, for those without a current doctor, this can be a useful service.

Contact Doctor Offices and Clinics Directly: This option may require a bit more calling around until you get a match but you can start by simply checking what doctors are in your area. Start by asking if they are accepting new patients. With a clinic like BCML you will not only find general practitioners but may also find help for more urgent health concerns, preventative testing, and other care options.

How Do I Choose a Family Doctor?

For Adults: While general practitioners may have certain areas of greater experience or expertise, any doctor considered a general practitioner will be able to treat and diagnose a wide range of health concerns for adults. For conditions they can not personally treat, they will be able to refer you to a specialist. Due to this, it is more important to be matched with any doctor versus seeking out one particular type of doctor.

Note that a general practitioner for adults is also called an “internist.” Their experience and training give them deeper insight into the internal workings of the adult body and preventative care needs. If your family does not include children, an internist is likely to be a better option than a family doctor.

For Adults and Children: However, this changes if you need medical care for children as well as adults. In this case, you will want to seek out a physician who specifically practices in “family medicine,” which is a medical specialty. They will have knowledge of medical concerns for both children and adults. A family medicine doctor will be able to provide regular check-ups and other essential services for family members of all ages.

Your child may also benefit from the care of a pediatrician, which is a primary care physician who specializes in the treatment of children. Though a family doctor is fully capable of treating and diagnosing a wide range of children’s health concerns, a pediatrician is likely to have more in-depth and up to date knowledge on less common conditions. This can make a pediatrician a better choice for children with specific health concerns. In particular, a pediatrician may be better equipped to address certain behavioral or emotional issues.

What if I Want to Switch My Family Doctor?

Switching doctors may be on your to-do list for a variety of reasons. You or your doctor may have changed locations, no longer making a visit as convenient or, perhaps, the doctor is just not a fit for you or your family.

While you should always seek out the medical care that is best for you, it is important to note that there is a shortage of general practitioners in certain parts of Ontario. However, if you know you absolutely cannot continue with your current practitioner, you must first take your name off their patient list. You can do this by contacting your doctor’s office directly and letting them know you will need to switch.

This is an important first step because it will allow your doctor to open a spot for new patients. Also, services like Health Care Connect can help you find a new doctor but will only work with you if you do not currently have a doctor.

Find Your New Family Doctor in Toronto Today

Having a dedicated general practitioner can help you make good decisions about your health. This gives you a primary point of contact for all of your non-emergency health concerns from viral infections to vaccination shots and minor injuries. Most importantly, a general practitioner can help you keep on top of preventative care and refer you to specialists as needed.

At BCML, we are here to help you manage your total health including connecting you with caring physicians. At our state of the art facility you will find general practitioners, specialists, and other medical services for your entire family. We are conveniently located to serve the Greater Toronto Area. Call (416) 929-1900 to schedule your appointment.