This request seems unreasonable for those of us unable to find a family doctor. The ER and the after hours clinic are our only options. It has been 3 years now for me and my family without a doctor.

How can I book an appointment with a family doctor when there are none accepting new patients? The last time I went to the walk in clinic, they refered me to the UNBC students to treat me...I refuse to be a training dummy, so I had to go to Victoria to see a real doctor.

The 50+$ per month I pay for MSP does not seem worth it when I have to go all the way to Victoria to see an actual medical doctor. Is there an MSP discount for those of us that do not have access to doctors?

There is a problem with finding family docs - it is a real problem. However, the ER is not the place for non urgent medical care. The walk in clinic can refill meds, check ears, noses and throats, gastro illness, stomach aches, rashes. The hours are reasonable and there is no excuse to bring these problems to the ER. I cannot believe how many people go to the ER late at night to get refills for their meds or because they have a sore throat because they were "too busy" throughout the day to go to the walk in clinic, or because the line up was too long. These same people complain about the wait times in the ER when the doctors are taking care of EMERGENCIES.

Lack of family physicians is a real problem in Prince George and is incredibly frustrating. It would be nice if the walk in clinic would consider follow up care - that is what is really needed in this town. It's fine to see a doc for a simple problem, but who will follow up with diabetics, cardiac patients, depressive patients, etc?

On another note - being a training dummy has it's advantages. Students do not treat patients on their own - they work with actual doctors, closely supervised and more often than not, you get a much more thorough exam, more time is spent with you and more bases covered in order to expand on the opportunity for the student to learn. The patient learns a great deal througout this process as well.

I don't know if it is the same for all visits to your family doctors but, my doc only allows one (1) health problem to be looked at per doctor visit.

Injury or illness that poses an immediate threat to a persons health or life, that is the definition of a medical emergency.

It is just ridiculous what people consider an emergency at the ER.

Use your brains people, you are wasting valuable time for someone who needs it, for a real emergency!!!!

My Dr. is the same way. Only one medical issue per 15 min appointment, even if your issue only takes 5 minutes to deal with and your other 10 minutes are unused.

As frustrating as it is, this is because there are a lot of people who come into the office with a list of problems. There is not enough time in the day to address everyone's problems - one person may present with a problem that only takes 5 minutes, but another might present with a problem requiring a 1/2 hour. Imagine if everyone brought in 3 or 4 problems with them - you would end up waiting even longer than you already do in the waiting room. Some people like to sit and chat in the office forever and can go on and on... doctors do have to set some limits and unfortunately it impedes on those who are not high maintenance.

It is more likely because the doctor get paid per visit, not per issue. Therefore a doctor makes more money if you come back for each issue. Cant blame them really. They are most likely underpaid here in Canada.

I refuse to see the doc for cold or flu unless it becomes worse or other symptoms present. I have been "advised" by other parents and coworkers that this irresponsible...How? Because I don't tie up a doc with a cold that I can get meds for? If it doesn't clear up within a few days then I see a doc. Why should I endanger the health of others by coughing and sneezing in a waiting room? Then I hear the argument, oh what if it is an infection? Well, that isn't going to present itself immediately now is it?? So, if rest, cough/cold meds aren't working in the first 24hrs, that means a doc visit would be warranted right??
So tired of overprotective/uninformed people who think that they have to run to the doc/emerg every time they get a sniffle, cough, or fever! That is our body's NATURAL defense system working!! We are meant to respond with disgusting fluids when a virus/infection enters our systems. It is when our immune system CAN'T handle it anymore, that we need medical attention...sheesh.

Hey, folks!! It's free. Take advantage of it! Gasoline, hydro, cable, phone, natural gas, municipal taxes, provincial taxes, federal taxes, user fees, licences, permits, tolls, GST. Don't forget about yer paycheque deductions too. Property taxes, and on and on and on. Hanging out at the ER is free. Actually, the best things in life are free! The moon, the stars, flowers, poetry and again the ER. Get thyself down there for any reason. Even a hangnail, if you have the time.

I've only been to the doctor a couple of times in my whole life, but I tried to make an appointment a while back and found out my doctor had a heart attack a year or so ago and was no longer practicing in PG. Its odd because I don't remember getting a letter informing me of this, nor did I get any information on where my file would have gone, or who I could be recommended to in the future. I've tried to follow up on it (half heartedly) just for the sake of knowing where my medical files would be, or who my family doctor is,... but apparently the system is all buggered up and no one is available at this time.

Lucky for me I don't really have any illness to worry about, but it would be nice to go for a check up once every ten years or so and know you have a doctor available to do that. When a person works lots this idea of a drop in clinic that is only open during certain hours is as good as receiving no service at all.

For me I would have no choice but to go straight to the emergency if I had the slightest reason to see a doctor whether they have holiday issues or not.

I guess its the same as CPP... I'll probably never see any benefit from that program either.