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Resources for Patients
The BC College of Family Physicians (BCCFP) is the professional organization representing over 8,000 family physicians across British Columbia.
Finding a Family Physician
While we don't directly connect patients with doctors, we champion family medicine and want you to understand the vital role family physicians play in your health care.
Need a family doctor?
These are the official resources to help you connect with a family physician:
- Health Connect Registry: Register online if you live in BC and need a family doctor or nurse practitioner
- Pathways Medical Care Directory: Connect with family doctors in your community
- HealthLink BC: Speak with a health service navigator about finding a family doctor in your community (Dial 8-1-1 and for the hearing impaired: 7-1-1)
You can also:
- Contact your local Division of Family Practice, as they may know of family physicians accepting new patients
- Ask family or friends to introduce you to their family doctor – sometimes doctors accept referrals from existing patients
- When visiting specialists or walk-in clinics, ask if they know family doctors accepting patients
Make the most of your relationship: The relationship with your family doctor is vital for your ongoing health. HealthLink BC offers helpful tips on partnering with your family physician.
What is a Family Physician?
Family physicians are specialists in comprehensive care. With 10-12 years of education and training, including a specialized two-year family medicine residency, they're trained to treat the whole person across all ages, conditions, and stages of life.
The difference matters: Rather than focusing on one type of care or disease, family physicians provide continuous, relationship-based care for your entire family throughout your lives.
Family Physician vs. General Practitioner
Many people use these terms interchangeably. Family medicine became its own recognized specialty when mandatory residency training was introduced. Physicians completing this specialized training often prefer "family physician," while those trained before this requirement or in other countries may call themselves general practitioners (GPs).
What Care Can Your Family Physician Provide?
Family physicians provide or coordinate comprehensive health care including:
Everyday Care
- Treatment of common illnesses and injuries
- Preventative care and health promotion
- Basic emergency services
- Primary mental health care
Specialized Services
- Pre-natal and maternity care
- Healthy child development and youth health
- Geriatric care and long-term care coordination
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Rehabilitation and chronic disease management
Care Coordination
- Referrals to specialists when needed
- Hospital care (where available)
- Emergency room medicine
- Maintaining your lifelong medical record
- Coordinating with other health care providers
Getting the Best Care
Research in BC and globally shows that patients with ongoing family physician relationships enjoy better preventative care and health outcomes. Your family physician develops deep knowledge of you, your family situation, and health history, enabling better coordinated care and more effective treatment.
Be an Active Participant
Prepare for success at your appointment:
- Be open and honest about your health concerns and goals
- Know your current medications and recent care
- Share relevant information
When Your Doctor's Office is Closed
Always try your family physician first, they know your medical history and can provide the most appropriate care. For urgent needs when your doctor is unavailable:
- Seek treatment at the nearest emergency room or walk-in clinic
- Important: Tell them who your family doctor is and request they send all information and test results to your physician immediately
At walk-in clinics: Ensure the clinic doctor knows your family physician's name and important medical history (allergies, previous illnesses, current medications). Request they send all care information to your doctor.
Hospital Care
Some BC family physicians provide hospital care, others don't. Some hospitals have family physicians working as hospitalists. If treated by someone other than your regular family physician:
- Tell them who your doctor is
- Ensure they consult with your physician
- Request follow-up information be shared
Specialist Referrals
See your family physician first. They can:
- Discuss your concerns and treatment options
- Determine the right specialist for your needs
- Communicate with specialists on your behalf
- Provide ongoing follow-up care
- Maintain your complete medical record
About Family Medicine Training
Family Practice Residents
Medical residents are medical school graduates (MD) pursuing 24-month specialized training in family medicine. In BC, 18 accredited educational sites train residents who rotate through various disciplines to learn the full breadth of family medicine. Residents work under licensed physician supervision and can manage your care, order tests, and write prescriptions.