OT - sort of

Mantra

Does anyone use a private family physician in Ontario? Or do you know of a private clinic you could recommend? I know they cost mega bucks and that means selling our house to pay for our medical care but can't think of another way to get decent health care in Ontario. I've given up trying to find a family physician. We do have one but she is brand new, fresh out of school and lacks experience and knowledge.  

crazy4carrots

mantra -- Just saw your thread today!  Yes, there are a few private clinics in Toronto but I cannot remember the names.  My neighbour signed up with one last year (he has multiple health problems.  I think he said the upfront fee was $3,200.  Can't remember the yearly fee.  Anyhow, the clinic caters largely to Bay Street types and has access to every kind of specialist, scanning technology etc.

I think maybe if you google private+health+clinics+Toronto you'll find it that way.

In my area we had a similar problem with finding a family physician when we moved here 5 years ago.  Now there several, including a geriatrician, a psychiatrist and several PT's, OTs etc.They all belong to a central Health Clinic and are paid by salary.

pip57

Don't discount your 'brand new' doctor.  She will have the newest information.  She also won't have that 'seen it a hundred  times before' approach.  Sometimes it is hard to teach an old doc new tricks!

crazy4carrots

Good point, PiP!

There are arguments for and against the newly-graduated.  She won't have seen as much as a doctor who has practiced for several years.  OTOH, she will be very familiar with the latest in medicines and technologies, and she won't have had time to forget 50% of all she ever learned in med school!   And recent graduates have been taught to actually "listen" to their patients and to ask questions.  You have a lot to teach her, too!

Mantra

You are right . . . my old family doctor barely listened to me. It was like he already knew the answer before I even finished asking the question. He got frustrated with any illness/symptoms that were outside of the box.  And getting a referral to a specialist was like pulling teeth . . . afterall, he's been a doctor for 30 + years and apparently knows everything.

I went to see my new, young, inexperienced doctor today. It is true, she listens to everything and willingly will order any tests I want. She refers me to specialists whenever she feels something is out of her element and doesn't have a "I know better than everyone" attitude.  

So I'll leave switching to a private clinic on the back burner . . . for now. I would just love to have a family physician who I completely trust and is extremely knowledgeable. But I do really like my doctors at PMH and find them amazing and have complete confidence in them.

Luah

I think of my GP as the gateway to specialists.  You may find your new doctor is better at referrals that actually get you the attention you need, faster.  Hope it works out.