Access to Primary Care

As a last resort, if you do not have a family doctor and there are no health clinics nearby, and you require health care services, go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Note that patients are not seen on a first-come, first served system. Critical patients are attended to first.

Health emergency

If you are concerned that you are seriously ill or injured, go to the nearest Emergency Department. Patients with potentially life-threatening conditions should immediately phone 911.

In provinces and territories across Canada, patients require a referral to see a specialist, either from a family doctor or another specialist. In some cases, for example for elective surgeries or cosmetic surgeries, specialists will see patients privately and without a referral from a family doctor. However, in these instances, the patient will be billed and must pay the specialist directly. Information about doctors and the services they provide may be obtained from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in your province or territory.

Some family doctors specialize in certain diseases or conditions; check with your family doctor, clinic, or pharmacist to find out if there is a family doctor in the area that can look after your speciality needs.

If you would like to see a specialist, but your family doctor is reluctant to make the referral, please be sure that you clearly communicate your symptoms to your family doctor.

You’re not always going to be satisfied with everything you are being told by your healthcare professional. In these instances, consider the following:

• Make sure you have provided all the information that you can to help with diagnosis and treatment planning, including your needs and treatment goals.
• Be clear with your treatment team member if something is not working or will not work for you – have an open, honest and respectful discussion about any misgivings you may have about your diagnosis or treatment.
• Be sure you are following the treatment plan as recommended by your team
• Consider connecting with a patient support group or discussion board to find out if they have similar challenges and how they handle them.

This is never easy, but if you are uncomfortable with the diagnosis or treatment plan recommended to you by a healthcare professional, you can get a second opinion. If you have followed the steps above and remain unsatisfied, talk to your family physician about being referred to another specialist. (Keep in mind that if you live in a small or remote community, you may need to travel to another region for a second opinion.)

Visit Your Arthritis Treatment Team page to find out more information about the various healthcare professionals who treat arthritis.