How to Choose a Family Doctor in Toronto? Looking for Advice

[kenkenk]

Hi everyone,


I’m a newcomer to Canada and currently living in Toronto with my family, including a young child. We don’t have a family doctor yet, and I’ve been trying to understand how to find the right one for us.


I often hear people say that having a family doctor is a big advantage in Canada, and it feels like there’s a “race” to get one. It seems very competitive, and I’m worried that we might not even have a chance to choose someone who really fits our needs — it’s more like whoever is available, take it or leave it.


I have a few questions and would really appreciate any advice from those with more experience:

1. Is it true that you have no choice and just need to take any doctor who is accepting new patients?
2. What makes a “good” family doctor? For example, should I look for:
   • Doctors who work at larger clinics with labs or blood testing?
   • Clinics with many doctors or branded walk-in/family health teams?
   • Doctors with Canadian or American education backgrounds?

I’ve noticed that many of the doctors accepting new patients seem to have studied at Caribbean medical schools. I’m not familiar with those institutions and wonder if they are considered good or well-trained in Canada?


Any suggestions or tips would be very helpful! Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Canadianbeachgoer]

Good luck finding a doctor. It can take years..

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Good luck finding a doctor. It can take years..

True.

 

[kenkenk]

Good luck finding a doctor. It can take years..

Thank you so much for your reply!


So if I understand correctly, I shouldn’t overthink how to “choose” a family doctor — it’s more important to register quickly if I find one accepting new patients, and not hesitate too much?


Honestly, the whole system around family doctors here still confuses me a bit...


I also have a question:
Do you think it’s better to register with a family doctor inside a pharmacy like Walmart, or go with an independent clinic? I’ve seen some clinics that offer blood testing onsite, and some that have multiple doctors working together. Not sure which one tends to provide better care?


Appreciate any insight you can share. Thanks again!

 

[canuck78]

Hi everyone,


I’m a newcomer to Canada and currently living in Toronto with my family, including a young child. We don’t have a family doctor yet, and I’ve been trying to understand how to find the right one for us.


I often hear people say that having a family doctor is a big advantage in Canada, and it feels like there’s a “race” to get one. It seems very competitive, and I’m worried that we might not even have a chance to choose someone who really fits our needs — it’s more like whoever is available, take it or leave it.


I have a few questions and would really appreciate any advice from those with more experience:

1. Is it true that you have no choice and just need to take any doctor who is accepting new patients?
2. What makes a “good” family doctor? For example, should I look for:
   • Doctors who work at larger clinics with labs or blood testing?
   • Clinics with many doctors or branded walk-in/family health teams?
   • Doctors with Canadian or American education backgrounds?

I’ve noticed that many of the doctors accepting new patients seem to have studied at Caribbean medical schools. I’m not familiar with those institutions and wonder if they are considered good or well-trained in Canada?


Any suggestions or tips would be very helpful! Thank you so much in advance.

Would worry about securing one that may be convenient first. If eventually you don’t feel like it is a good fit you can keep looking but in reality securing one MD would make you lucky. Wouldn’t worry too much about having something like blood lab attached. There are labs across the GTA that you can go to. Even if GPs work in small offices there are usually in a group that offer an after hours and often Saturday morning drop in service for emergencies. What type of GP office available often depends on where you live. Many of the older areas have small GP clinics with 1-3 GPs while some of the newer suburbs have larger private owned clinics with more GPs. There are also some underserved communities that have city run health centres but you need to live in a certain catchment area.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you so much for your reply!


So if I understand correctly, I shouldn’t overthink how to “choose” a family doctor — it’s more important to register quickly if I find one accepting new patients, and not hesitate too much?


Honestly, the whole system around family doctors here still confuses me a bit...


I also have a question:
Do you think it’s better to register with a family doctor inside a pharmacy like Walmart, or go with an independent clinic? I’ve seen some clinics that offer blood testing onsite, and some that have multiple doctors working together. Not sure which one tends to provide better care?


Appreciate any insight you can share. Thanks again!

There are GP clinics at Walmart now. Assume that there are some attached to Shoppers drugmart as well. Would personally stay away from clinics associated with other healthcare businesses like pharmacy chains. A good time to try to find a GP tends to be close to June/July because new grads are starting. Would also ask around your local area when you meet people if they know of any GPs taking new patients. You will likely still have to call around. Not sure what part of Toronto you live in but if in Toronto proper versus one of the suburbs would probably give different advice.