More and more Canadians are finding it difficult to access a family doctor, whether because of long wait times, living in remote areas, or other reasons. Taking charge of your health becomes more important without a regular healthcare provider.
Here are some practical tips for staying on top of your well-being if you don’t have a family doctor, so you can confidently navigate your healthcare needs.
Monitor and Track Your Health Regularly
We should all be actively monitoring our health; however, it is even more important if you don’t have a family doctor. Regular monitoring of key health metrics like blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar can help you catch any potential issues early, allowing you to make lifestyle adjustments or seek further medical advice before a condition becomes serious.
This is a proactive approach that provides consistent awareness of your health. Health journals are an easy way to keep track of any changes or new conditions that arise and equip you with vital information should you need to see a medical professional.
Some useful tools to help self-monitor are:
- Blood pressure monitor: Anyone with high blood pressure (hypertension) should consider having a monitor on hand at home. Hypertension means your top number is 130mmHg or higher, and the bottom number is 80mmHg or higher. See here for instructions on how to take your blood pressure at home. Make sure you record the results to help identify any patterns or potential concerns.
- Fitness and Sleep Trackers: Fitness trackers and smartwatches are a great way to track your physical activity, heart rate, ECG monitors, sleep patterns, and blood oxygen levels. These devices help people to pay attention to their health by providing real-time and continuous monitoring. Many users have adopted healthier lifestyles because of these trackers.
- Scales: Smart scales do more than tell you how much you weigh; they can also calculate your body mass index. Scales are essential tools for anyone with heart failure. Personally speaking, this is a tool my husband uses daily after experiencing heart failure. Any increase in daily weight of more than 2 lbs or significant loss in a week could mean there is an issue.
- Blood glucose monitor: This device measures your blood sugar and is important for people with diabetes. There are two types of devices that can be used: a blood glucose meter that uses a drop of blood to measure your level, or a continuous glucose monitor that is inserted under your skin and measures your level regularly throughout the day and transmits the data to a smartphone or app.
Learn to Recognize Red Flags
Educating yourself on the warning signs for serious conditions like heart attacks, stroke, pulmonary embolisms, and other life-threatening diseases can help you act when symptoms arise.
Here is a rundown of warning signs for some life-threatening conditions:
- Heart attack: Warning signs can include chest pain such as pressure, burning, heaviness; sweating; upper body pain in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, or back; nausea; shortness of breath; light-headedness
- Stroke: FAST is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke.
- Face – is it drooping?
- Arms – can you raise both?
- Speech – is it slurred?
- Time – call 911 if all above are present
- Pulmonary embolism: Some symptoms may include sudden shortness of breath, sharp pain in the chest, arm, back, shoulder, neck, jaw (like a heart attack), clammy blue/grey skin, sweating, fast heartbeat, and fainting.
Please educate yourself on warning signs for conditions where you may be at a higher risk. Knowledge is a powerful tool for staying on top of all health conditions.
Build a Network of Healthcare Providers
Without a family doctor, other healthcare professionals like your specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physiotherapists can help meet your needs.
Specialists are medical professionals with extra training in particular disciplines, such as gynecology, oncology, cardiology, or dermatology. Typically, your family doctor will provide a referral for you, but if you don’t have one, walk-in clinics can also issue a referral. It is important to keep your specialists as part of your network, even if you lose your family doctor. They provide more serious healthcare conditions.
Pharmacists are key in your network of healthcare providers. They can prescribe certain medications and offer vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, HPV, and shingles, as well as assess conditions such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and herpes labialis (cold sores). Each province differs in the scope of services provided, so be sure to explore what your pharmacist can do.
Nurse practitioners are an important part of the Canadian healthcare system. In Ontario, 25 NP led clinics are helping patients without access to a family doctor receive care. NPs can prescribe medications, diagnose and treat illness, order tests, conduct annual physicals, and assist in monitoring and management of chronic diseases, much like other primary care models.
The scope of practice for nurse practitioners varies across the provinces and territories. It’s important to be aware however that in some provinces such as Ontario nurse practitioners are not allowed to bill OHIP for their services like physicians do. Instead, they earn a salary when working within a family health team. As a result, private, independent nurse practitioners charge the patient fees for their services, even if the service is technically covered by provincial medicare.
You can click here to see the scope of practice in your area.
Physiotherapists and chiropractors are other healthcare providers to add to your network. These healthcare professionals can conduct specific physical tests and diagnose and treat aches and pain and mobility issues. Depending on your province and circumstances, physiotherapy – and in some cases, chiropractic care – may be covered by medicare. If you are not eligible for medicare coverage, health insurance providers may cover all or a portion of treatment.
Taking care of our mental health is also important to our overall well-being, and therapists should be added to the network of healthcare providers. Stress, anxiety, depression, and life changes can be challenging. Having someone to talk to can help manage emotions and increase our resilience.
Holistic health practitioners can also be a valuable tool. These alternative services are great ways to complement members of your network. There is often a cost associated with these non-traditional treatments.
Make Use of Telemedicine and Virtual Care
The internet has impacted many facets of our lives, healthcare included. COVID-19 led to a dramatic increase in the use of telemedicine and virtual care platforms to help patients receive diagnoses and treatments. Post-pandemic, and in the midst of a doctor shortage, patients are increasingly turning to virtual medicine to access care for minor issues or even to receive treatment from specialists.
The Health Insider reported that as technology advances, including the use of artificial intelligence and remote monitoring, virtual healthcare is becoming more advanced. Patients who adapt to these changes will be better able to benefit from the future improvements in healthcare.
Virtual care can begin from assessing symptoms of illness through a symptom checker or online self-triage. These online platforms can assess symptoms, connect you with virtual care, and understand when to go to the emergency room.
Understanding what virtual healthcare services are offered in your province or territory is important in managing your well-being.
Utilize Walk-In Clinics and Urgent Care Centers
Walk-in clinics and urgent care centres are great options for people who don’t have a family doctor but need care for non-emergency issues. These clinics are a good choice for treating mild infections, minor injuries, or everyday health concerns.
Common conditions treated include colds, sore throats, ear infections, rashes, sprains, cuts, and even prescription refills. Walk-in clinics can also send you for blood work and refer you to fracture clinics and other medical specialists.
According to our June 2024 survey of Health Insider Members, walk-in clinics can also be a good way to find a new family doctor, so keep your eyes open and if you like the doctor you’re interacting with, ask if they are taking on new patients if they have an independent family practice.
“I was visiting a clinic one day two weeks ago regarding my blood pressure medication. I mentioned to the doctor that mine had retired over a year ago. On the spot he said to me “I’ll be your doctor”. That was it!”
“When my husband went to the clinic to see a doctor, it just happened that one of the doctors at the clinic was taking new patients, so we both now have a doctor. I guess we were just lucky, because I know lots of people who are still waiting.”
Source: June 2024 Health Insider member survey.
Walk-in clinics can be found across the country. Services covered depend on your provincial health plan, and items such as doctor sick notes are fee-based. Be sure to explore these options in your neighbourhood.
Stay Up to Date with Preventive Care
Preventive care like vaccinations, screenings, and regular checkups can help catch health issues early or even prevent them. If you don’t have a family doctor, you can still stay on top of things by visiting public health clinics if you need to see a doctor in person and there’s a clinic close to you.
Click here for a list of public health authorities in your province or territory.
Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
Alberta
Community Health Centres
Website: https://informalberta.ca/public/common/viewSublist.do?cartId=1014853
British Columbia
Regional Health Authorities
Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/health-authorities/regional-health-authorities
Manitoba
Regional Health Authorities in Manitoba
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/rha/index.html
New Brunswick
Public Health Clinics
Website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/healthy_people/content/public_health_clinics.html
Regional Health Protection Branch Offices
Website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/HealthyEnvironments/RegionalHealthProtectionBranchOffices.pdf
Newfoundland and Labrador
Regional Health Authority
Website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/findhealthservices/in-your-community/#contact
Northwest Territories
Regional Health and Social Services Authority
Website: https://www.nthssa.ca/en/our-regions
Nova Scotia
Public Health Offices
Website: https://www.nshealth.ca/public-health#sites-sites
Nunavut
Regional Boards of Health
Website: https://www.nrbhss.ca/en/contact-us
Ontario
Ontario Public Health Units
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/public-health-unit-locations
Prince Edward Island
Health PEI
Website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/health-pei
Public Health Nursing
Website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/public-health-nursing
Quebec
Centres locaux de services communautaires (CLSC)M
Website: https://sante.gouv.qc.ca/repertoire-ressources/clsc/
Saskatchewan
Public Health Offices
Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/public-health/public-health-offices
Yukon
Department of Health and Social Services
Website: https://yukon.ca/en/department-health-social-services
Many clinics provide services like medical exams, diagnoses, vaccinations, and sexual and reproductive health services so you can stay on track even without a family doctor. It’s also helpful to know your family history and have your medical record handy, as it can give you a better idea of what health conditions you might be at risk for and help guide the steps you take to manage them.
Bookmark our article about Staying on Top of Your Health Screenings Without a Family Doctor.
Taking control of your health today can make a big difference in the long run.
Be Proactive About Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Many factors affect our mental well-being, such as relationships, eating habits, physical activity, positive experiences, and community involvement.
Taking care of our mental health without a family doctor requires self-awareness and resourcefulness. Online therapy platforms, support groups, or mental health apps can help manage stress, anxiety, or depression.
Bookmark our Guide To Mental Health Support in Canada
Teletherapy is available through phone, video, or online platforms. Some provinces offer mental health support through the public system, however wait time to access care can be very long. Private care can be accessed quite quickly via a variety of clinics across the country, and is often reimbursed through private insurance.
Meditation, practicing gratitude, taking time for self-care, good sleep hygiene, staying positive, and journaling are easy ways to look after your mental health.
Know Your Insurance Options and Coverage
With or without a family doctor, healthcare costs can add up quickly, especially if you need to see specialists or get ongoing treatments that are not covered.
Additionally, if you are without a family doctor, you may be considering paying for private care or using virtual services. Some virtual services are covered by provincial medicare, depending on your province and what care you are seeking, however most virtual platforms also offer paid plans so make sure you inform yourself before engaging.
To help manage ongoing expenses, it’s a good idea to investigate comprehensive health insurance or explore any public health programs that might offer the care you need.
Educate Yourself on First Aid
Knowing basic first aid can help you manage minor injuries, illnesses, and symptoms on your own. There are many online resources, books, and local courses that can teach you important skills like first aid, CPR, and simple home remedies.
For example, learning how to properly clean and dress small cuts, use over-the-counter meds for headaches, or manage cold symptoms with rest, fluids, and saltwater gargles can be super useful. These practical tips give you the confidence to take care of everyday health issues and handle things calmly if an emergency pops up.
Learn more about the essentials of a first aid kit and how to use it in an emergency by watching the video below.
Keep Detailed Health Records
Keeping a record of your health history is important for getting the proper care when you visit a clinic or need urgent care. It ensures continuity of care and helps healthcare providers make informed decisions. Ask for copies of any major tests or procedure summaries from your other health practitioners.dd them to your healthcare file and keep these records in a safe place that is easy to remember in case of an emergency.
Beyond having a copy of all of your health records from your medical practitioners, a great way to stay on top of health conditions is to download use our My Health Matters tracker below to keep track of ongoing health metrics.
Having everything organized can make a big difference when you’re going to a walk-in clinic or seeing a new doctor or specialist, as it can help them understand your health background and provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Not having a family doctor can be overwhelming, but there are ways to stay on top of your health before things take a turn for the worse. Without a regular healthcare provider, it’s even more crucial to take charge of your own health. Start by setting up a fitness and health-tracking app, find a walk-in clinic nearby, or book a telehealth appointment.
These small steps can help you manage your health by staying prepared and alleviating the stress of not knowing what to do when you or a loved one need help. Your health is in your hands.
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The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.