Medication Information

Accessing a new healthcare provider for medication management

It can be challenging to find a healthcare provider who can help you with medication management. Here are some suggestions for finding a healthcare provider who can help you manage your medication needs:

Infographic of a doctor describing the best ways to access a new healthcare provider for medication management. These include identifying your needs, asking for recommendations, contacting providers, connecting with community health centres or family health teams, getting a referral to a specialist, using provincial health authorities, and signing up for healthcare connect.
  • Identify your Needs: Consider your healthcare needs and the type of provider you are looking for. See Module 2: Roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers.
  • Ask for Recommendations: Ask family, friends, or colleagues for recommendations or if they know of any healthcare providers (family doctor, nurse practitioners) who are accepting new patients.
  • Contact Providers: Visit the healthcare provider’s website or call their office to ask if they are accepting new patients. You can also use the “Find a Doctor” feature on the website for the regulatory college for medical doctors in Canadian provinces.
    • For example: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/?search=general. Although this will not list what healthcare providers are accepting new patients, it will help you find contact information for physicians across Ontario
  • Community Health Centers Not-for-profit community owned organizations that provide health promotion, education and illness prevention services. : If you have a local community health center, it might be taking new patients. Consider contacting local community health centers Not-for-profit community owned organizations that provide health promotion, education and illness prevention services. for healthcare providers who may be accepting new patients.
  • Consider Getting a Referral to a Specialist: If you have a healthcare provider, consider asking them for suggestions or a referral to a specialist.
  • Use Provincial Health Authorities: Each province and territory in Canada has its own healthcare authorities. Check their websites to find links to a healthcare provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner). 
  • Health Care Connect: The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) program matches people who don’t have a family doctor with physicians and nurse practitioners in their community who are accepting new patients. Visit their website or call 1-800-445-1822.