Finding a Family Doctor in Canada

Continuing with previous series about, settling in Canada, today we discuss about how to select a family Doctor in Canada. In Canada, you need to find a doctor who is taking new patients. Such family doctor is usually the first person you see when you do not feel well or when you are sick.
When you have a family doctor, you go to this doctor when you are sick, unless it is an emergency and you have to go to the hospital. Your doctor keeps a record of your medical conditions and treatments and gets to know you and your family.

You can find a family doctor by using Find a Doctor Service of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to locate a doctor in your area. You can call 1-800- 268-7096 ext 626 from anywhere in Ontario.

You may not be able to find a doctor in your area who takes new patients. You may need to go to a walk-in medical clinic. These clinics have doctors, nurses and other health care workers so you will still get medical care from a doctor. You do not need to make appointments to go to most walk-in clinics, but you may have to wait for an hour to see a doctor.

Dental clinic programs
If there is a University or College in your city, it may have a dental clinic program for the community. Trained dentists supervise the dental students who provide the service. The service is not free, but it costs less than going to a dentist.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not pay for most dental services. OHIP will pay only if the patient’s life is in danger, and if hospital treatment is required. In most cities in Ontario, the local Community or Public Health Department offers some free dental services. However, these services are only available to very specific people (such as eligible seniors and children). Contact your local Community or Public Health Department to learn what services are available in your community.

If you need health care but do not have an OHIP card, you may be able to get help at a Community Health Centre (CHC). Services at Community Health Centres are free or cost a small fee. All services are confidential.

EMERGENCIES AND HOSPITALS
You go to the hospital only for medical emergencies, surgery, to give birth or to have special tests or medical treatment. When you go to the hospital, you need to have your OHIP card (Health Card) with you.

For serious medical emergencies, dial 9-1-1 on your phone. If you do not speak English, just say "Help!" and tell the operator the language you speak. They will get an interpreter who speaks your language. The ambulance, police and fire department will arrive all at the same time.

Be ready to provide the following information on the phone:
• a description of what is happening
• where you are
• your name, address and telephone number
Stay on the phone until the attendant tells you to hang up.

If you go to the nearest hospital in an emergency, go to the Emergency Department or Emergency Room (ER). The ER is often very busy. Unless your life is in danger, it may be several hours before a doctor can see you.

If you have no OHIP and no private health insurance, the hospital will send you a bill for the ambulance transport and any other medical services you needed.

If Citizenship and Immigration Canada gave you a Medical Surveillance Undertaking form, you need to visit your local public health department within 30 days after entering Canada.

MEDICATION/PRESCRIPTIONS
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover drug prescriptions. If your doctor gives you a prescription for medicine, you must take it to a pharmacist. Pharmacists are health care professionals who can give you the medication that your doctor prescribes. They work in drug stores or in pharmacies in larger stores, hospitals and community health centres.

The pharmacy usually charges you a dispensing fee. A dispensing fee is the amount a pharmacy charges for preparing drug products. Ontario pharmacies charge dispensing fees ranging from $1.99 to $16.95. The pharmacist adds this fee to the cost of the medication.