Healthcare Provider Information
Navigating and switching between healthcare providers
We have included some strategies to help with navigating multiple healthcare providers and switching between healthcare providers.

Navigating multiple healthcare providers
To help communicate with multiple healthcare providers, we have listed several strategies for you to consider:
- Keep a detailed medical record that includes current and past medications (e.g., name of medication, indication, dose, reason for stopping)
- If you do not have a record of your past medications, you may be able to request it from your pharmacy
- Communicate openly and build relationships with your healthcare providers (you may think some information about your medical history is not relevant to a certain specialty, but it is best to be as detailed as possible)
- Take notes and create written or audio-recorded summaries from your appointments (e.g., questions discussed, next steps)
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare providers
- Keep information of your healthcare providers (including appointments) in a central location (e.g., journal, binder, phone)
Switching between healthcare providers
You may have to switch healthcare providers for a variety of reasons. For example, yours is retiring, you are moving, or you are looking for someone more accessible.
To help with switching or changing healthcare providers, we have listed a few strategies:
- Keep a detailed medical record that includes current and past medications (e.g., name of medication, indication, dose, reason for stopping) that you can give to your new provider
- Work with your current healthcare provider to develop a transition plan (if moving cities, provinces, etc.)
References
Hardavella, G., Aamli-Gaagnat, A., Frille, A., Saad, N., Niculescu, A., & Powell, P. (2017). Top tips to deal with challenging situations: Doctor–patient interactions. Breathe, 13(2), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.006616
Perry, C. (2016, June). Managing multiple healthcare specialists. IG Living. https://www.igliving.com/magazine/articles/IGL_2016-06_AR_Managing-Multiple-Healthcare-Specialists.pdf
Torrey, T. (2024, February 22). Making a smooth transition when it’s time to find a new doctor. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-change-doctors-2615474