Health Matters - Apple Magazine Health Matters Winter 2019 | Page 7

Call your family doc first
When you’re not feeling well, you
just want to get better. So going to
a walk-in clinic seems like a quick fix.
But doctors at walk-in clinics cannot
access your medical history.
If your family doctor is always your go-to person for health
concerns, then they are aware of all of your health issues
and can help you make more informed health decisions
On the other hand, your family
doctor knows more about you and
can more thoroughly assess your
condition. and anywhere. And sometimes you
may have to wait to see your doctor.
And they can add it to your primary
health record. Information from
visits to walk-in clinics or emergency
rooms is not automatically sent
to your family doctor. Your family
doctor only knows about these visits
when you tell them. Ask your doctor ahead of time
about your options. They often can
refer you to another doctor in their
practice or to an after-hours clinic.
This way, your information can be
relayed to your family doctor so
they remain updated on your health.
Of course, walk-in clinic and
emergency room visits happen since
illness and injury can strike any time If you do visit a walk-in clinic or an
emergency room, you may want to
schedule a followup appointment
with your family doctor so the
visit can be added to your primary
medical record. They can also advise
if further care is needed.
This builds the relationship between
you and your family doctor. In
turn, that can reduce emergency
department visits and the number
and length of hospital stays. A good
doctor-patient relationship can also
increase your quality of life and
overall health. That’s why continuity
of care is vital to quality care.
mypcn.ca
winter 2019
seven