Finding a Family Physician Now Possible in P.G.
Prince George, B.C.- Finding a family physician in Prince George, is no longer a goal that is out of reach for residents in this community.
According to the Prince George Division of Family Practice (PGDoFP), the goal of linking residents who want a family physician to a family physician has been achieved.
Prince George was one of three communities in the province taking part in the ‘A GP for Me’ initiative launched in 2010. The initiative aimed to help those who want a family doctor to find one.
“Right now , we are pretty confident, that if someone needs a primary care physician and is having difficulty in making that connection, that we can help them do that” says Dr. Garry Knoll, President of the Board of Directors of the Prince George Division of Family Practice.
Dr. Knoll says he was skeptical at first that the program could work, he had come to the City in 2007 when there were about 15,000 people who did not have a family physician “it was a very bleak future, but this has been a real effort on a lot of different fronts.”
It was through the ‘A GP For Me’ program and Northern Health, that the Blue Pine Clinic was established. It provides a Primary Care Home to some of the most vulnerable patients in the community and to any patients who do not yet have a family physician. If it is determined the BPC is not the most appropriate place for them, the BPC works to connect the patient to a Family Doctor in the community.
Dr. Knoll says there are about 9 thousand people who don’t feel the need to have a family physician “They’re probably young and healthy and don’t have any current medical needs.” “
Dr. Knoll says it’s thought some 4,000 to 6,000 people have been matched up with the family physician though the initiative, but he says there is a need for “more depth on the bench” and he wants the efforts to recruit General Practitioners to continue so they can stay ahead of the demand. “We’re at a point where we have a balance” says Dr. Knoll, “We still need family physicians because we have physicians who are in varying stages of their careers and we have an aging population which is much more resource intense. So our activities for recruitment continue on. I think to be in a safe place for good physician supply, we probably should have a few more doctors in our town who are full service family physicians” He says there is room for another five to 8 family physicians in Prince George.
Comments
Nice to see more physicians available for people in the Greater Prince George Area.
The Census of 2006 showed a total population for the Prince George Census Agglomeration at 83,225. The 2011 Census showed 84,235. This is an increase of 1010 people in 5 years, or 202 people per year. The increase can probably be attributed to births over deaths as opposed to anyone actually moving into the area.
In any event in 2006 we had 7,855 people in the 65 to 99 age bracket, with a median age of 37.3. In 2011 we had 9730 people in this bracket with a median age of 39.0. This is an increase of 1,875 people in this age bracket, and therefore will require more physician time and doctors.
There is nothing to indicate this situation will change in the next 10 years, as the bulk of the population continues to age.
Sure, you can find one, but can you access them and get adequate care? Do they know who you are? We have an insane situation here and this story skirts the whole issue, which is that we have a 3rd world ratio of family doctors per 1,000 population. I calculate it as around 0.69 doctors/1,000 individuals. That’s ridiculous. So not only do we not have enough doctors, but the ones we do have are probably burning out at an alarming rate.
I remember when I was a boy in this town, my doctor actually knew me and knew my history. Every time I go to see my doctor now, I have to tell him everything all over again because he has no idea who I am and has no time to read files.
When I retire, I will be leaving this town, so that if I need actual health care, I might get a shot at having it.
I have no idea what the problem is with the 2 previous posters and docs, but my wife and I relocated here in 2002 and found a doc right away. He remembers my name each and every time I’ve been to see him. I go every 3 months for my prescription refills. The only issue I have is the ‘one complaint per visit’ rule in his office.
My family doctor passed away and my file was transferred to another doctor from a 3rd world country. This doctor then fled the country with all the patient files… I guess in BC the doctor owns his patients files as property of his office. One would have to send money to Pakistan to get your doctors file from the original doctor… eventually last I heard that doctor (Rafiq I think) is now in a mental hospital. I guess my file has been transferred to a number of other third world doctors now, as I’ve lost track and its a new doctor every time I call. Thankfully I have no health issues to be concerned about, so its not really an issue for me, but if I ever did get ill I think I’d be looking for a new long term doctor. For now the walk in clinic works fine for the small stuff.
Troutburn: “The only issue I have is the ‘one complaint per visit’ rule in his office.”
It’s a good rule. It helps to keep the scheduling intact for people who have appointments in the afternoon.
Wrong.
What that rule does is let the Doctor bill MSP multiple times for one person which could have been handled in a window of a single visit. All a Doctor has to do is block a certain amount of time per patient to keep scheduling flowing. If Dentists and Hair Salons can do it, I’m sure a Doctor is capable.
It’s up to the patient to let the office know ahead of time what they are coming in for.
Does anyone know if a doctor must give a patient a copy of their file?
@Pylot. You know as well as I that there are people who are saying they are coming in for one thing, then reel off a list of complaints screwing up later scheduling. That is what I was referring to.
Well I do feel lucky, when I moved to PG in 1981 I got a doctor right away. He was top notch but as most do he did retire. The new doc that took over his practise is good as well… He knows who I am, knows my medical history etc. He also lets me ask about more than one health issue if I need to… he doesnt limit me.. I know there are some doctors that limit you to one item per visit ( my ladies doctor does this)
If you find a good doctor stick with them..just like a good mechanic.
Eagleone – where I would be concerned with your situation is if you ever got into an insurance need or disability benefit. I would suspect that an insurance company could make your life miserable with “preexisting condition” claims if you have no history to draw from. That’s crazy.
@s – Dr Knoll is one of the best things to happen to PG.
Comments for this article are closed.