If you are looking for a family doctor

There is a definite shortage of doctors in Quebec. Various measures have been put into place and new doctors are being trained, but it will be a few years before the situation rights itself. At present, not all Montréal residents have access to a family doctor.

If you need to see a family doctor and don’t have one, go to your usual clinic or a network clinic.

If possible, always return to the same clinic when you need too. The medical team will have access to your file and will be able to offer you better long term help. Remember to call ahead so that you don’t waste a trip.

ONE-STOP ACCESS FOR VULNERABLE CLIENTELE WITHOUT FAMILY PHYSICIANS

A Nurse Clinician is now onsite to process requests for family physicians. The Nurse Clinician’s role is to contact clients for a brief assessment, evaluate priority levels based on their medical needs and the criteria as established by the RAMQ, and then refer them to a family practitioner on the West Island territory. Our clientele can be put on the waiting list by dialing 514-626-2572, extension 5235.

Please note that this service is offered to West Island population whithout a family doctor. Normally a nurse will return your call within a week. We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls. Unfortunately this will result in a longer delay. We appreciate your understanding.

Health Network professionals who wish to register a patient on the waiting list must fill out an application form and send it by fax to 514-624-7486.

How to find familly doctor

If you don’t have a family doctor, a better understanding of the ways to obtain one can simplify your research.

According to the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens, one person out of four in Québec does not have a family doctor.

For any health problems, the first priority is to contact Info-Santé by dialing 811.

If you have a family doctor, this is the person you should first speak to about your health needs.

If you don’t have a family doctor, there are several ways to rectify the situation:

1) Your family

Certain doctors whose practice is already full accept to take their patients’ family members.

2) The brochure entitled Access to Health Care in Your Neighbourhood and the telephone directory.

The brochure, available in CLSCs and distributed every two years in homes within the catchment areas, describes the health services available on the West Island. You can contact the medical clinics listed or use the phone book to find clinics in your neighbourhood. Find out if they take on new patients or if they can enter your name on a waiting list.

3) New doctors

Young doctors who arrive on the job market don’t always have an established clientele. Contact a few medical clinics to find out if these doctors take new patients.

4) Network clinics and other medical clinics offering services that do not require an appointment

Walk-in clinics are for minor emergencies. Always call beforehand to find out if a doctor can see you. Try to always go to the same walk-in clinic. The medical team will have access to your medical records and is in a better position to help you in the long term. After a few consultations, if you don’t have a family doctor, ask the doctor who is seeing you or another doctor working in the clinic if he or she is willing to become your family doctor.

Network clinics offer consultations without appointments, 365 days a year, 12 hours on weekdays and 8 hours on weekends and statutory holidays. These clinics offer services in cases of minor emergencies to the population and services with appointments to its clientele.

Important note: The clinic may close access to walk-in services if the number of people in the waiting room exceeds its capacity. In emergency situations, network clinics can carry out certain medical tests and samplings on site or nearby and give patients more rapid access to radiology and medical specialists. One of their roles is to help vulnerable patients who contact them find a family doctor. The accepted vulnerability criteria are numerous and change over time. As an example, these include:

• being 70 years or older;
• emphysema;
• being diabetic;
• hypertension;
• suffering from heart failure;
• cancer.

If one or more of these criteria apply to you, please make sure to always inform the general practitioners you consult in order to get a family doctor.

If you’re not sure whether you should consult a physician in a network clinic, another walk-in clinic, or go directly to a hospital’s emergency department, contact Info-Santé at 811. A nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to give you advice or direct you to the appropriate resources. At all times, do all you possibly can to facilitate the doctor’s work.

The doctor will be able to better help you if you prepare a summary of your medical history.

• Have your health insurance card on you
• Describe your illnesses to the doctor in detail (symptoms, frequency, etc.)
• Bring the results of your last analyses with you (blood test, urine analysis, etc.) if you have them
• Describe your medical history since your last visit
• Bring the list of medication you are taking and the prescribed doses, or bring your medication with you.

Why must you present a list of all your medication?

Health professionals must know exactly what medication you are taking at the time of consultation. This enables them to recommend a treatment that is appropriate to your health condition, to prevent the risk of allergy and drug interaction, and to avoid prescribing a medication that you are already taking.

To be complete, your list of medication must include:

• your prescribed drugs
• your vitamins and dietary supplements
• your over-the-counter drugs
• the allergies you have to certain drugs
• your natural health products

Your pharmacist can provide you with a list of the drugs you are taking. Otherwise, ask your pharmacist to hep you prepare or update the list of drugs you are taking. Always have this list on hand and present it to the doctor or emergency department during your next visit.

• See the How to find a family doctor pamphlet