How to find a general physician-family doctor

Finding a Doctor or other health care professional
1

Hello, I have ohip card. How can I find a family doctor? What is the process? Should I walk-in to the nearest clinic accepting patients and enquire?

2

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your question and situation with us.

If you are searching for a new family doctor, you may also find helpful information on the Government of Ontario’s website on finding a referral for a doctor near you, here is an excerpt:

If you find that the wait for a family physician is too long, you may want to visit a walk-in clinic for a referral from a family physician there. You can also call the Toronto Public Health Unit at 416-338-7600 for information or support in accessing care. As well as, Telehealth Ontario, which is a free, confidential service you can call to get health advice or information. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is available in more than 300 languages. When you call Telehealth, tell them what language you speak and you will be connected to an interpreter.

  • Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000
  • Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007

You may also find helpful information in the Settlement.Org article, How can I find a family doctor? and How do I choose a family doctor?
We hope this is helpful, please follow up with us if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Your Settlement.Org team

3

Finding the right family doctor is key to your health care journey. Start by checking your insurance for in-network doctors near you. Online resources like your insurer’s directory or review sites can help narrow down options. Ask friends and family for recommendations too. Research shortlisted doctors’ qualifications and reviews to pick a few that fit your needs. You can even schedule consultations to find the perfect match for you!

4

To find a family doctor with an OHIP card, you can use Health Care Connect, a free service that helps Ontarians find a doctor. Alternatively, you can inquire at nearby clinics or use the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s doctor search tool. Walking into clinics to ask is also an option.