How to find a family doctor in Canada
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, “The proportion of Canadians aged 18 and older reporting access to a primary care provider has declined, from 93% in 2016 to 86% in 2023 — the lowest proportion among 10 countries surveyed (2023 CMWF average: 93%). This means that an estimated 4 million Canadian adults didn’t have a primary care provider in 2023.”
This could be due to factors like:
- A lack of available doctors
- A large population surge. (Canada’s population has grown by 1,271,872 people since January 1, 2023)
- Doctors retiring or leaving their practice.
However, there are some actions that you can take to search for a primary physician.
Provincial/territorial health registries
These registries match people with doctors who are accepting new patients. However, there can be long wait times due to the shortage of doctors and high demand. Some examples include:
- Ontario: Health Care Connect
- BC: Pathways Medical Care Directory
- Nova Scotia: Need a Family Practice Registry
Local clinics
You could visit a local walk-in clinic to see if any doctors are accepting new patients. Some walk-in doctors may offer to become your regular family physician, but there may also be wait lists associated.
Ask for recommendations
You could ask family and friends for recommendations by directly reaching out and asking if they know any good family doctors who are accepting new patients.
Association listings
You could visit the website of your provincial or territorial medical association to find a directory of doctors, and to help you find search for those accepting new patients. Some examples include:
- BC: Provincial Health Services Authority
- Manitoba: Shared Health
- Alberta: Alberta Health Services
Community health centres
To find a primary physician through a community health centre, you could contact the centre directly and ask if they have any doctors accepting new patients. Community health centres often have doctors on staff and can help you get connected with one.
Virtual health care alternatives
Virtual health care is becoming popular in Canada because it offers a convenient way to access medical services without having to visit a clinic in person. It’s easy to use - you can have video calls or phone consultations with doctors from your own home.
For people in rural areas, virtual care can provide access to healthcare services that might be far away or hard to reach otherwise. It’s also helpful for those with mobility issues, as it eliminates the need for travel and helps make it easier to get medical advice and treatment. While virtual health care can be very useful, it’s important to remember that it might not be suitable for all types of medical issues or emergencies.
Provincial virtual health care
In Canada, provincial virtual healthcare services could be available to make accessing medical care easier.
- Ontario allows online consultations through various platforms, where you can speak with a doctor via video call or phone.
- British Columbia (BC) offers virtual doctor visits, letting you consult with a physician from home.
These services are often covered by provincial or territorial health plans for basic or generic medical needs. Coverage can vary, so it’s a good idea to check with your provincial or territorial health plan for specific details on what’s included.
Benefits of individual insurance
Private virtual healthcare could be available to you through your individual insurance plan and is one of its many benefits. For example, with Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, you could get access to platforms like:
- Telus Health: Known for its extensive network of healthcare professionals and easy-to-use platform. Telus Health offers virtual consultations with doctors and specialists, along with access to health resources and wellness tools.
- Consult+: Canada Life offers Consult+ virtual health care through your workplace benefits plan or with Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance. It gives you access to medical consultations, wellness resources, and preventive care options.
The benefits of private virtual health care can include:
- Convenience: No travel required and 24/7 access to medical staff if you don’t live near any doctor offices.
- Efficient: Usually come with reduced wait times and quit diagnoses. You could even have prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy.
- Access: You’ll get access to a wide network of specialists without a referral required.
- Privacy: You can meet with a physician from the comfort of your own home.
The process to find a family doctor in Canada can take time, so it’s important to start searching early, and use the resources available to you.