Advice for ‘the unattached’

The family doctor shortage in Canada is . . . bad. What can you do to keep yourself as healthy as possible if you don’t have a family doctor? Here’s a thread of 10 (unofficial) ideas for “the unattached.” 1. First, let’s get this important caveat out of the way. If you are very sick e.g. issues breathing, chest pain or you’re bleeding excessively or another urgent/emergency condition: Go to the closest emergency room or call 911. 2. Second crucial caveat: If over the last three to six months you: had unintended weight loss greater than 10 pounds have drenching night sweats (and aren't experiencing menopause) have blood in your stool/urine have a breast lump . . . then get seen by an MD within two weeks or so or less and tell them these things (in person or virtual). Read: Patients without doctors—coast to coast 3. OK. You don’t have a family doctor and you want to stay healthy: Vaccinations save lives and reduce illness severity and are safe. Get them, all of them. Great resource to get yourself and your kids sorted for which ones you need, etc.: immunize.ca. 4. OK. You don’t have a family doctor and you want to stay healthy: Wash your hands and wear a mask around sick people (this usually means most public places—the bus, the mall, at work, etc.). Effective masking reduces transmission of airborne viruses. 5. Don’t have a family doctor and you have a cervix and are between 25 to 69 years old: Get a Pap test every three years. In B.C., there is a clinic locator for Pap tests for people with no family doctor. 6. Don’t have a family doctor and you need a refill of your regular medications: Check and see if the pharmacists in your region can renew them Try a walk-in clinic (in person or virtual). The emergency department should be your last resort for this kind of thing. 7. Don’t have a family doctor and you want to stay healthy: Exercise. Movement is medicine. If you are able, walk, a lot: 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day will do wonders for your mind and your body. Go with a dog, a friend, an audiobook or listen to the birds. 8. Don’t have a family doctor and you want to stay healthy: Do the things you know you should: stay hydrated wear your seat belt floss minimize alcohol/other substances quit smoking get enough sleep make more friends get a hobby! 9. Don’t have a family doctor and you have a cold, Colds are normal and as long as you can breathe well, are eating and drinking relatively normally—a sore throat + fever + cough + runny nose is usually viral and takes five to 21 days to clear in healthy people. Here’s a guide on when to see a doctor. 10. Don’t have a family doctor and you really want that to change? Write a letter to your provincial and federal Members of Parliament. Federal contacts are here. Tell them your story. Tell them you want secure funding and evidence-based solutions to our health work force crisis. Dr. Rita McCracken is a family physician in Vancouver.

Advice for ‘the unattached’

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