Family doctors: A key player on your personal injury recovery team

The first to be featured in our series of 14 health professional profiles is the good ol’ family doc. No matter the nature of your personal injury, your family doctor will play a key role in your care.

WHO: Family Physician

WHAT: Your family doctor—also called a GP, for “general practitioner”—is your primary care provider. Family docs are trained in all areas of medicine and can diagnose, provide treatment, write prescriptions and refer you to specialists for further investigation or treatment if necessary. They often work within a family health team that includes nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, dieticians, mental health workers and pharmacists, ensuring you benefit from the skill sets and perspectives of diverse practitioners who collaborate to give you the best care.

WHO PAYS? Family physicians and the services of members of a family health team are covered by OHIP. You may have to pay for insurance forms your doctor fills out and medical reports your doctor submits as part of a legal case.

YOUR ROLE: Keep your family physician up to date on your current condition. Follow through on treatment. Take notes so you have your own record of what you’re told and a reminder of what you’re supposed to do. And bring copies of any paperwork relating to your accident to your appointments.

But what if you don’t have a family physician? If you’ve experienced a personal injury and don’t have a family doctor, you’re missing the quarterback on your healthcare team. Talk to us. We can provide you with advice to make sure your injury isn’t a barrier to finding a doctor.