On an app’t, with my doctor yesterday, I learned that walk-in clinic doctors want you in and out in 2 minutes and, in that 2 minutes, a walk-in doc will make the same amount as my doc who will spend 20 minutes discussing my condition and options. Walk-in doctors only want to treat symptoms, if you have something serious health-wise, avoid at all costs. These bastards won’t touch you with a barge pole. Many young doctors want half the workload but the same pay as the older docs who take more time with their patients. This sucks big time. —We Need More Family Doctors!
This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2014.
In other words, you walk in to the clinic, say hi to the attending doctor, he says hi back, then says…that’ll be 50 bucks please.
Who goes to a walk-in clinic if they ”have something serious health-wise” ……. fuck, WHO?
These clinics are to relieve the intake/wait times at REAL hospitals. When I was at emerg (twice) I was immediately taken out of the corral and attended to as it was SERIOUS. However, you hear those complain about the long wait …… because there is NOTHING wrong that you could not have been dealt with at home.
I am certain some of the bastards sitting in the waiting room are regulars and it is ALWAYS the marginalized members of society who take up the most resources as they have NOTHING better to do.
I’ve been to the same walk-in clinic over the past several years and I have never had the same doctor twice. Some were great, others terrible, but generally they give the impression that they don’t want to be there. Many of the doctors that work in these clinics ARE family doctors, and for whatever reason they work a few hours a week (or month) at the clinic.
It should go without saying that you don’t go to a walk-in clinic when you want to discuss the ins and outs of your condition and hear about various treatment options. It’s meant to be a quick visit. You can’t expect the doctor that has 25 sick people waiting to see him to be as thorough as your family doctor that has scheduled appointments.
I do agree that we need more family doctors. I did a search on the Doctors NS site and unless you’re looking for prenatal care, you’re shit out of luck.
koda that was my first thought too.
The problem is that ‘something serious’ is not always going to manifest as serious. Or not seem serious until it’s too late (mistaking a heart attack for heartburn)
We’re not doctors so the onus isn’t really on US to figure out what’s wrong with us before going to find out what’s wrong with us.
But yes, as a rule if it feels serious, get your ass to emergency. Similarly if it doesn’t feel serious (no. A cold is not serious) keep your ass OUT of emergency.
@Naveed considering getting knocked up just so I can trick some doctor into being my family doctor.
Or could more Nurse Practitioners help fill the gap there OB ?
Treating symptoms is the job of a walk-in clinic. They are not a family practice. They are between your GP and Emergency.
If you go to a walk-in they should be referring you to a specialist that can actually treat you. As mentioned above, these clinics are typically in place to relieve hospital wait times etc.
The doc at the walk in here has to treat all these whiny ass people that aren’t really sick until all hours of the night… sounds like an awesome job.
At least you can get a family doctor. In NB, unless you pregnant or a breath away from death, you won’t have the luxury of a family doc.
Get an appointment with Dr. Johnny Fever?
Walk in docs won’t do referrals. They’re there for people who need accute care. Those who need chronic care aren’t going to get much help from a walk in doc. You’ll get refills for prescriptions, but only if they aren’t benzos or narcotics.
My family doc’s clinic is closing in March, putting 20 thousand out in the cold. I managed to find an even better family doc the day after I was notified. I’m lucky as hell.
Don’t expect much from walk ins.