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.
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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.
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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.