CONTINUITY OF CARE

Evidence-based medicine continually supports the value of seeing ONE family physician for care. Having a good relationship with a family physician and being strongly “attached” to that physician benefits your health in a number of ways. Being strongly “attached” means seeing your physician whenever it is possible. This results in:

Increased patient satisfaction
Increased health care screening
Increased efficiency of diagnosis
Improved outcomes of chronic disease
Decreased emergency room visits
Decreased hospital admissions
Decreased diagnostic tests rate
Decreased prescription rate

Today’s health care system is coping with an aging population and a resulting explosion in chronic disease. Policy makers are moving to “attach” every patient in Alberta to a health care “home,” in order to improve the quality of care for all Albertans and save health care system costs. The time and money saved may then be reinvested into further improving health care system delivery for all patients.

Thank you for helping us connect you to your own physician whenever possible. This allows us to provide the best possible care to you as a patient.

What do I do if I have an urgent issue?

Your own physician will work hard to accommodate for you same day appointments if needed. If your physician is away, seeing another physician at this clinic becomes the best option, and we will work hard to meet your needs.

What if it isn’t urgent but I cannot wait until my physician is available?

There will always be times when you need to see someone other than your physician. Even doctors take holidays, and sometimes needs creep up on us. Try to plan ahead for refills, driver’s medicals and chronic care visits. Being proactive with your care will produce the best results.

What about test results?

Urgent results will always be discussed with you right away. If we ask you to wait to see your physician it’s because we think that will provide the best care.