Family Physicians Quarterback in Health Care System Family physicians need to be the primary care source when it comes to our health. When it comes to your health there are several options available including walk-in clinics, Quick Care clinics, emergency room and family physicians. This week SteinbachOnline is looking at family physicians and how they are an integral part of the health care system. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Denis Fortier explains a family physician is the go-to person, the quarterback of an individuals personal health and medical information. Fortier says walk-in clinics and the emergency room are considered intermediate care, and while they have their place and purpose, information doesnt always flow back to the family physician and records can become fragmented with gaps and details falling through the cracks. “So I guess when people easily go to walk-in clinics or easily go to an ER versus their family physician or nurse practitioner, theyre probably cheating themselves a little bit.” Fortier notes its especially important to continue appointments with a family physician when dealing with a particular issue as they know your medical history and see the person more as a whole versus concentrating on the particular issue at hand because of the relationship thats been created. He adds theres huge value to that. Fortier says there continues to be a shortage of physicians in Southeastern Manitoba, however theres a new program to help match patients with a doctor taking new patients. Next week well talk about emergency rooms and how they too are a necessary part of the health care system.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:23:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015