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WHAT'S NEW
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Rx for the doctor shortage
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Five million Canadians are "orphan patients" -- unable to find a family physician to take care of them. If you've been stranded by our country's acute doctor shortage, here's how to ensure you get the best care you can -- under the circumstances.
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By Patricia Robertson
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2) Naturopathic primary care
For the last six months, you've been plagued with bladder infections. You wonder what's really at the root of your problem. An alternative practitioner may be just the professional you need.
Many Canadians now seek out alternative medicine to augment their medical needs or treat chronic ailments. Among the several alternative health modalities, traditional chinese medicine and naturopathy are two that offer selected primary health-care services.
Like any service, it's wise to investigate the professional credentials of your practitioner. In Canada, naturopaths (NDs) are regulated and licensed (except in Quebec). Look for a certificate from an accredited college such as The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine or the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy -- Naturopathy (BDDT-N).
Matt Gowan, a naturopath in Toronto, says naturopaths "look at what's at the root of an illness. We've had the most success with chronic conditions such as arthritis," says Gowan. "We have a lot of success with digestive complaints. We also treat minor complaints such as colds, flu and bladder infections."
Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary health-care providers, adds Julie Zepp, a naturopath in Regina. "We are trained to do full physical exams, including Pap tests and breast and prostate exams. We also do blood draws for testing and give certain vitamin injections such as B12. But rather than prescribing drugs, we use natural therapies, such as vitamins, herbs, acupuncture or homeopathy."
The downside is that costs are not covered by provincial government health plans. And because naturopaths don't do everything you'll need (for example, they don't do HIV or tuberculosis tests), the best way to make use of a naturopath is in conjunction with the other options listed here. "We aren't trying to replace doctors," explains Gowan. "In fact, there are a ton of clinics in Canada where both MDs and NPs work in an integrated setting."
You can search for a naturopath in your area at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine website, or at www.findnd.com.
3) Health hotlines
It's close to midnight and your five-year-old son has an earache and is running a temperature. You're concerned about whether or not you should take him to the emergency ward. In New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, you now have the option to call a province-wide 24-hour health hotline staffed by trained nurses.
"Our service offers assessments, advice, referrals and information. We don't diagnose or prescribe," says Linda Levesque, a registered nurse and clinical program manager for the Saskatchewan HealthLine.
The experienced nurses help callers decide if they require emergency medical attention or if their complaint can wait until they get to a walk-in clinic.
"With good teaching, many callers are able to care for their symptoms at home," adds Levesque. "We're a good first point of contact, except in a life-threatening situation, when it's better to dial 911. People use health hotlines to help them navigate an increasingly complex system." Call your provincial health ministry if you want to find out more about health hotline services.
4) Nurse practitioners
It was a shock to realize you were six weeks pregnant, and you know you need an ultrasound scan done soon. It could be time to call a nurse practitioner (NP).
NPs are registered nurses with specialized training whose expanded role includes physical exams and Pap smears, ordering screening tests such as ultrasounds, and treating common infections and minor injuries. An NP can also prescribe medication and monitor people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Although NPs aren't a replacement for a family doctor, they are taking on more responsibility for meeting a patient's primary health-care needs, says Delvena Doucette, an NP in Saskatoon.
NPs, or extended-practice RNs, currently operate in all provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island. Call your provincial health ministry or link to your provincial nurse's association at www.cna-nurses.ca.
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