Ontario residents often face a dilemma when they get sick or need medical advice: Should you see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic? This question has become more pressing amid Ontario’s current family doctor shortage.
More than 1 in 5 Canadians, around 6.5 million people do not have a family doctor. In Ontario that number is around 2.5 million and growing. With so many unattached patients, walk-in clinics and telehealth services have become vital alternatives for many Canadians. But what is the difference between Family Doctors vs Walk-In Clinics, and which option is best for your needs?
The Role of Family Doctors in Ontario
Family doctors, also known as physicians and general practitioners (GP) are primary care providers who offer comprehensive, ongoing care. If you have a family doctor, they serve as your main point of contact for most health issues.
They manage everything from preventative screening, routine check-ups, injuries and so much more. This means that they know your medical history, family history and personal health context over time. This ongoing relationship helps them make informed decisions and monitor changes about your health.
Family doctors in Ontario also act as gatekeepers to the wider healthcare system. They can refer you to specialists (cardiologists, dermatologists,ect.) and coordinate follow-up care. Having a physician which you can see regularly improves health outcomes, reduces mortality, decreases hospitalizations, and reduces health care costs.
However, not everyone in Ontario has a family doctor. In recent years finding a family doctor who’s accepting new patients has become incredibly difficult. This is where walk-in clinics and virtual care come to play.
What do Walk-in Clinics offer
Walk-in clinics are medical clinics that do not require an appointment or a regular patient roster. They are typically staffed by family doctors and nurse practitioners, but unlike a family practice, they do not follow one patient’s health long-term. Walk-in clinics provide immediate, on-the-spot care for minor illnesses or injuries when your doctor is unavailable or if you don’t have a doctor at all.
Walk-in clinics have a first-come first-serve approach. This means that during busy times you might have to wait in the waiting room for a long time. Some clinics may also reject walk-in patients if they have reached full capacity. This unpredictability is a tradeoff for not needing an appointment.
One big advantage of a walk-in clinic is extended hours and weekend availability. Unlike family doctors who typically work from 9-5 and are often closed on the weekends, walk-in clinics might be open until 8pm on weekdays and half days on the weekend.
- For true emergencies like chest pain or severe injuries, go to the emergency room, not a walk-in clinic.
Just like family doctors, walk-in clinic appointments are covered by OHIP for Ontario residents. If you do not have an OHIP card, you will likely be charged a fee per visit.
However, there are downsides to only relying on walk-in clinics. Since a patient sees a different physician everytime, there is no continuity. A walk-in doctor will not know your full history beyond what you tell them and what’s in your chart.
Walk-in Clinics vs Family Doctors in Ontario
| Continuity of care | Family doctors offer ongoing care with an established relationship, keeping a record of your medical history. Walk-in clinics provide one time care and you will likely see a new provider each time. |
| Access and availability | Family doctors require appointments and most clinics operate during business hours. Walk-in clinics are a first-come first-serve basis and are often open during the evening and weekends. |
| Scope of issues | Family doctors handle comprehensive health needs, acute illnesses, and chronic disease management. Walk-in clinics mainly focus on acute and minor illnesses. |
| Relationship and trust | Family doctors build a long-term doctor-patient relationship which can foster trust and better communication. In a walk-in clinic the interaction is short and oftentimes you don’t see the same doctor. |
| Follow-up care | Family doctors will follow up on test results or check that the treatment worked. Follow ups for walk-in clinics is usually up to the patient. If your symptoms don’t improve or if you have questions, you’d need to return to the clinic and see another doctor. |
| Access to records | Family doctors keep a medical record for you of medications you’re on, allergies, treatment plans, ect. Walk-in clinics will chart your visit in their own system, but that record stays at the clinic. It’s not automatically shared with other clinics or your family doctor unless you provide it. |
| Cost and OHIP | For Ontario patients who have OHIP, family doctor and walk-in visits are free of charge. If you don’t have OHIP, both will charge you a visitation fee. |
If you have ongoing health concerns or value long-term partnerships in your healthcare, then a family doctor’s office is the best place for you. If you have minor acute illnesses or need quick attention after hours then a walk-in clinic is the right choice for you. Although many Ontarians will alternate between both.
Virtual Care vs Walk-in Clinics
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of virtual care has risen. Private health platforms like Ogaei allow you to consult with a licensed doctor via phone or video from your home or anywhere.
Virtual clinics are very similar to walk-in clinics, except the “waiting room” is your electronic device. You typically don’t need an appointment (or you can book one on short notice). You then get matched with an available doctor who assesses you and gives you a proper diagnosis.
Ogaei offers you easy access and convenience to care without commuting or sitting in a waiting room. For people who live in small towns or rural areas, telehealth brings the doctor to you, bridging distance barriers.
Virtual care is best used for issues that do not require hands-on physical examination. Virtual doctors can assess a lot through a video or audio call, however, they cannot fix a broken bone, do a throat swab or listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. They can guide through checking your rashes, checking your temperature or pulse, review your symptoms, and provide advice or prescriptions for many common ailments.
Choosing the Right Option: Family Doctor vs Walk-in Clinic vs Virtual Care
Family doctors offer stability and personal care however, there are not many family doctors accepting new patients. Family doctors are able to keep a record of all your personal and family history over time meaning that they are able to understand your health problem better.
If you cannot access a family doctor, then visiting a walk-in clinic or a virtual clinic like Ogaei is your best choice. Both offer the same service as a family doctor and can prescribe any medication or diagnose your health issues. The drawback is you will most likely see a different doctor every time you visit, however, they are usually open for a longer period of time.
Virtual clinics allow you to see a doctor from anywhere you want and are available after hours. The drawback is if you have a broken bone they cannot physically help you and will most likely tell you to go to the emergency room. However, they can still offer a variety of services for those who need it.
At the end of the day choose what you think is best suited for you. Family doctors, walk-in clinics, and virtual care providers all offer the same services and many people use them interchangeably depending on their health issues.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Resources
- https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/16/E592
- https://ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/news/new-data-shows-there-are-now-2-5-million-ontarians-without-a-family-doctor/
- https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/why-it-so-hard-find-family-doctor
- https://healthydebate.ca/2018/04/topic/ontario-walk-in-clinics/
