{"id":31435,"date":"2024-03-11T16:22:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T20:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=31435"},"modified":"2025-01-15T09:45:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:45:10","slug":"why-do-i-need-a-family-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/why-do-i-need-a-family-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do I Need a Family Doctor?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We care about your health and we\u2019re dedicated to improving healthcare access across Canada. Right now, a country-wide physician shortage means <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmaj.ca\/content\/195\/16\/E592\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">millions of Canadians<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t have a family doctor. And, those that do aren\u2019t always able to see them in a timely manner. You could find yourself waiting for days or weeks to see your GP for a simple prescription or even an urgent medical issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that family physicians are important for your overall health and well-being. We also believe that waiting for care doesn\u2019t have to be the default. Here\u2019s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why you need a family doctor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and what to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you find yourself without access to one when you need it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Why do I need a family doctor<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible to get high-quality medical care without a family doctor, and telemedicine can be an incredible tool for this. We\u2019re committed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/doctors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">connecting you with Canadian-licensed doctors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> whether you need a diagnosis and treatment, or a prescription. The same goes for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/features\/lab-work\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordering lab tests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/providers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">booking specialist appointments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">why have a family doctor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if virtual care can do all this? Telemedicine is a great way to bridge gaps in your medical care. However, some conditions are best treated in-person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family doctors are crucial for helping to manage your health over time. If you have a chronic medical issue like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/conditions\/asthma-treatment\/?utm_term=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_campaign=20713321583&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAloavBhBOEiwAbtAJO_Zg8L791arKXD0FTtW39jLDsP5HnvfrAmlwuD3oJM9yEjIzJSXiHxoCiecQAvD_BwE\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">asthma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/conditions\/psoriasis-treatment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">psoriasis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, regular touchpoints with your GP help to keep tabs on your condition. If your GP notices changes, they can adjust any medications you take or refer you to a specialist for more help. They can also order any lab work they think you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing a chronic condition alone without the support of a family physician can feel overwhelming. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our platform<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you keep track of the details by capturing your medical information in one place. Every visit you have with one of our providers is securely stored in your patient portal, along with your health profile. That means your medical records are safe, secure, and available to you in seconds \u2014 wherever and whenever you need them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you\u2019re perfectly healthy you still need a family doctor. Your relationship with your GP and their knowledge of your medical history helps them spot shifts in your health. This can alert you to small issues before they have a chance to turn into something more serious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And of course, your family doctor is there for all your acute medical needs \u2014 like a sudden bout of food poisoning or when you get pinkeye.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>How family doctors help with preventative care<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family doctors are also rockstars at keeping you healthy in other ways. They make sure you\u2019re up-to-date on routine vaccinations and help you maintain good reproductive health via STI screenings and regular Pap tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you get older, the preventative care your doctor offers becomes even more important. Bone density testing, hearing and vision tests, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/guidelines.diabetes.ca\/cpg\/chapter4\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">screening for diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and cancer are just some of the reasons you need to visit your physician\u2019s office as you age. And, your GP can alert you when you\u2019re due for these crucial screenings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>How to get medical care if you don\u2019t have a GP<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t have a family physician, chances are good you\u2019ve taken time off work to visit your local walk-in. Walk-in clinics can help with non-urgent medical care, but they often get quite busy. In many cases, snagging a same-day appointment means lining up before your clinic opens. Even then there\u2019s no guarantee. Depending on the time you arrive, you may have to return the following day to get the care you need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another alternative for those without a family doctor is the emergency room. However, as the name suggests, ERs prioritize emergencies. Visiting one for a non-urgent concern like strep throat or a birth control prescription likely means a lengthy wait, no matter how pressing the issue feels to you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where virtual care makes a difference. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our telehealth platform<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides 24-hour access to Canadian-licensed doctors, within minutes. Our doctors can diagnose and treat a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/for-you-family\/conditions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">variety of non-urgent medical conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, prescribe needed medications, and order lab work. You can also book an appointment with a number of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/providers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">specialists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, no referral necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>How to get a prescription without a family doctor<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining good health means addressing illnesses and infections. Prescription medications are a key tool for this \u2014 from managing diabetes to treating urinary tract infections. Even the healthiest among us needs one from time-to-time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you need this sort of help, your GP is usually the first place you turn. But for Canadians without a family doctor, getting a prescription can become incredibly difficult. Many have no choice but to go to the ER or wait for hours at the walk-in for a doctor to write them one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting necessary and potentially life-saving medications shouldn\u2019t be so difficult.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want to make <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/features\/online-prescriptions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">getting the prescription medication you need<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as easy as possible. Within minutes, one of our doctors can address your request. If they assess that you need a prescription, they can send it to you electronically or forward it to the pharmacy of your choice. From there, you can pick it up or have it delivered to your door, for free. Whether you\u2019re dealing with the discomfort of a UTI at work or looking to refill your thyroid medication, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/doctors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we\u2019re here for you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How to find a family doctor in Canada<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best place to start your search for a family doctor is to apply to your local provincial or territorial patient registry. It can take a while to match you with a doctor, so it\u2019s a good idea to stay proactive with your search while you wait.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some other avenues to help speed up your search for a GP:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a newcomer to Canada, contact a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ircc.canada.ca\/english\/newcomers\/services\/index.asp\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">settlement services provider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for help finding a family doctor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Search for doctors in your area and call to see if any are accepting new patients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tap into your social networks and social media community groups to ask for GP recommendations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact your local hospital to see if they\u2019re affiliated with a family health team or if they know of any doctors accepting new patients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect with hospital-affiliated family health teams in the spring to see if any of their family medicine residents are entering practice nearby and taking new patients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess if you fall within the target area or demographic of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cachc.ca\/ourmembers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your local CHC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/doctors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect with a healthcare provider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through Maple for on-demand 24\/7 virtual care.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tried everything and still can\u2019t find a family doctor? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speak to our care concierge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for help finding in-person care near you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re committed to making healthcare accessible for Canadians across the country by offering flexible, on-demand, high-quality care. When you need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/doctors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">see a doctor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we\u2019re here for you. Day or night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.<\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>When using virtual care, all medical treatment is at the sole discretion of the provider. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies, and your provider will determine if your case is appropriate for virtual care. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We care about your health and we\u2019re dedicated to improving healthcare access across Canada. Right now, a country-wide physician shortage means millions of Canadians don\u2019t have a family doctor. And, those that do aren\u2019t always able to see them in a timely manner. You could find yourself waiting for days or weeks to see your&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[7378],"tags":[],"acf":{"image":{"ID":31436,"id":31436,"title":"Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center","filename":"Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","filesize":112056,"url":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/why-do-i-need-a-family-doctor\/why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center\/","alt":"mother and child sitting on a grey couch looking at a phone","author":"33","description":"","caption":"","name":"why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":31435,"date":"2024-03-11 19:15:27","modified":"2024-03-11 19:15:50","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1180,"height":483,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-300x123.jpeg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-768x314.jpeg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":314,"large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-1024x419.jpeg","large-width":1024,"large-height":419,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","1536x1536-width":1180,"1536x1536-height":483,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","2048x2048-width":1180,"2048x2048-height":483,"square1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","square1200-width":1180,"square1200-height":483,"square600":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-600x483.jpeg","square600-width":600,"square600-height":483,"square300":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-300x300.jpeg","square300-width":300,"square300-height":300,"square200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-200x200.jpeg","square200-width":200,"square200-height":200,"square100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-100x100.jpeg","square100-width":100,"square100-height":100,"feature1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","feature1200-width":1180,"feature1200-height":483,"feature1100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-1100x483.jpeg","feature1100-width":1100,"feature1100-height":483,"feature800":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-800x400.jpeg","feature800-width":800,"feature800-height":400,"feature400":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center-400x200.jpeg","feature400-width":400,"feature400-height":200,"facebook1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","facebook1200-width":1180,"facebook1200-height":483,"medium_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","medium_retina-width":1180,"medium_retina-height":483,"large_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Why-do-you-need-a-family-doctor-1180x483-c-center.jpeg","large_retina-width":1180,"large_retina-height":483}},"intro_text":"","meta_description":"","add_promotional_banner":false,"add_call_to_action":true,"call_to_action_text":"See a doctor","call_to_action_button_text":"Register","call_to_action_link":"[mpl-register-link]","show_age_gate":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.4 (Yoast SEO v18.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Do I Need a Family Doctor? - Maple<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Having a family doctor is important for your overall health and well-being. 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