How do I find a doctor?
A family doctor, or primary healthcare provider, someone you can make an appointment with whenever you're dealing with a health issue. In addition to health concerns, they can help you with regular check-ups, authorize lab tests, and refer you to specialists
In Ontario, healthcare is publicly funded so you don't have to pay to visit your family doctor.
To get a family doctor, you can:
- Ask your friends if they have a doctor they like, and if they are accepting new patients.
- Register with Health Care Connect. This program will refer you to a doctor in your area, but you need to have the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) to use this service.
- Search for a doctor in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario database.
- Find a hospital near you.
- Ask your settlement worker. Find out more about settlement services.
What should I consider when I choose a doctor?
Some things to think about when searching for a family doctor are:
- Is the doctor accepting new patients?
- Can I make appointments at convenient times?
- Do I want a male or female doctor?
- Do I feel comfortable with the doctor?
- Does the doctor explain my options clearly?
You may also want to try to find a doctor who can understand or relate to your cultural background or religious beliefs.
What if I don’t have OHIP?
If you don’t have OHIP (The Ontario Health Insurance Plan), you can go to a Community Health Centre (CHC). Community Health Centres are non-profit organizations with doctors, nurses, social workers, and nutritionists.