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.