Why a Primary Care Provider is an Important Part of My Health Care Team
What is a Primary Care Provider?
A primary care provider is the person who is most responsible for your overall health care across your life. They can either be a family doctor or a nurse practitioner. Primary care providers manage all aspects of your health care that does not need a medical specialist or specialty clinic to be involved. Their knowledge is generalized, and they are in the best position to decide if you require specialist care. From diverse and broad symptoms, such as depression, urinary tract infections, strep throat, or a sprain, the primary care provider is equipped to manage your health and seek solutions from a holistic perspective.
What are other options besides a Traditional Family Doctor's Office?
Ontario has a few options for primary care besides the traditional Family Doctor's office. These inter-professional teams are OHIP-funded options that include a range of health services such as a dietician, social work, physiotherapy. A summary of team-based options for primary care is provided below:
| Clinic Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics | Ongoing health care, education, and illness prevention to anyone in need of healthcare |
| Community Health Centres | Non-Profit organizations that provide primary health care and health promotion programs. Community Health Centres focus on supporting people who face barriers, including immigrants, racialized people, and people with limited incomes or without OHIP coverage. |
| Family Health Teams | Interprofessional health providers that provide comprehensive primary care |
Why do I need a Primary Care Provider if I am a Patient in the Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCD) program?
Your blood disorder is only one part of your overall health. RBCD clinic staff are specialists, whose skills and knowledge focus on your blood disorder. Having a primary care provider is essential for overall health and well-being. If a person contacts the RBCD team to discuss non-RBCD related concerns, they MAY be asked to follow up with your primary health care provider. This is to ensure you receive the best healthcare from the most appropriate provider trained to meet your specific needs.
As you age, the importance of having a primary care provider increases. An essential aspect of primary care is screening for things like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure— the risk of these issues increases as we age.
I am concerned that my Primary Care Provider knows nothing about my Blood Disorder.
Primary care providers do not need to have expert knowledge of your blood disorder – that's the job of the RBCD team!
All your RBCD clinic notes, which includes updates regarding your blood disorder, will go to your primary care provider. Clinic notes are communication tools which may highlight healthcare issues we feel are not blood disorder related and request your primary care provider to follow up. A few examples include immunizations, birth control, and headaches. The RBCD clinic may also ask your primary care provider to take on prescribing some medications. In this way, the RBCD clinic collaborates with your primary care provider to support your health and well-being.
I had a Pediatrician when I was younger. Do I still need to find a Primary Care Provider?
Many people will have had a pediatrician when they were a child or teenager – this primary care provider works with children and adolescents. Generally speaking, if you have a pediatrician, once you turn 18, you will need to find a new primary care provider to continue to provide care. It is best to start this search early to make sure you have access to a physician after you are 18.
I don't have a Primary Care Provider. How do I find one?
If you live with your parents and they have a primary care provider, there is a chance that their provider can also care for you. Many primary care providers will take over a child of their patients. The same can be said if your spouse has a primary care provider.
Indeed, this is a good place to start! If you are not successful with this strategy, here are some other options:
Call around and ask different doctor's offices in your area if they are accepting patients – a google search may help with this! You could also check out the websites of community hospitals in your area as they sometimes post primary care providers accepting new patients in your area.
Register with Health Care Connect. You will be linked with a nurse coordinator, who will help connect you with primary care providers accepting patients in your community.
Call your local Community Health Centre and ask if they are accepting patients for primary care.
Call Family Health Teams in your region and ask if they are accepting patients for primary care.
If you are moving away for post-secondary studies, find out whether your school has a wellness/medical centre and register. If your school does not have one, check out your school's health services page, which may list nearby providers.
A primary care provider is as crucial to your overall health as the RBCD team! To ensure all aspects of your health receive proper care and attention, please make every effort to find a primary care provider.
About the Authors
Colleen Johnson was a nurse practitioner with the Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCD) clinic for 10 years. She continues to volunteer her time to the RBCD Hub.
Rie Hasumie Hosogoe is a nurse practitioner specialized in primary care. She currently cares for individuals living within the catchment area of Black Creek Community Health Centre.
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