What are your options for medical care?

When you need non-emergency medical care, a great place to start is your family doctor or provincial health information line (811 in most provinces and territories).

Today your options for where to get your medical care are greater than ever before. You may not even have to leave your home to get the care you want and need. You can choose based on what your health problem is and what works best for you. And you don't have to use one option for all your health care needs. You can choose where to seek care based on what will work best for you in that instance.

When you have a serious problem that needs care right away, an emergency room (ER) is the best place to go. ERs are set up to handle problems that may be life-threatening. And ER staff are skilled at giving care that can save lives. Emergencies include problems such as:

• Heart attack or stroke symptoms.
• Severe bleeding.
• Severe trouble breathing.
• Severe pain.

If you don't believe you have a need for emergency care, you can think about what's most important to you on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, convenience and speed might drive your decision. In other cases, the cost of care matters most. And in some cases, you may believe it's better to see a health professional who knows you and your history.

Your family doctor has the advantage of knowing your health and medicine history. Your doctor may know about your health habits, such as diet and exercise. Your doctor often knows your home, work, and family situation. But the office location or hours may not always work for you. And your doctor may not provide care for something urgent like broken bones or stitches.

Your provincial health information line provides 24/7 access to a nurse who can help you decide when to seek care and where to go. If your province does not use 811, you can usually find the number on your provincial health plan website.

After you decide what is most important to you, you can choose your care option. The number of choices varies by community. But there are more and more options available in health care, such as urgent care clinics, retail clinics, and virtual care.

What care can you get at urgent care and retail clinics?

Urgent care clinics are usually able to provide care for problems like sprains, burns, and broken bones. They also do throat cultures, and routine health care, such as sports physicals and vaccines. These clinics often can be found in neighbourhoods and near shopping areas. You may be able to just walk in to see someone. Or you may be able to set up an appointment online.

Retail clinics are often in drugstores or supermarkets. These clinics can handle less serious problems like urinary tract infections and minor cuts. They also do health screenings and influenza (flu) vaccines. You can usually just walk in or set up an appointment online.

Urgent care and retail clinics can be a great option if you can't or don't want to wait to see your own doctor. They can also be a good option if you don't think you need the level of care an ER provides. With an urgent care or retail clinic, you likely will see a health professional you haven't seen before.

What services can you get through virtual medical care?

Virtual care is care delivered through your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Your primary doctor may have an online network where you can ask questions, set up appointments, refill prescriptions, and get test results. Some urgent care and retail clinics offer virtual care too.

You may be able to avoid an in-person appointment for:

• Common problems like a urinary tract infection.
• Prescription refills.
• Follow-up care for ongoing conditions like high blood pressure.

In some areas, you can talk with a doctor on a video call or by using a phone app. It can be a convenient way to get medical advice or treatment. But it can only be used for help with problems that aren't serious, such as a sore throat or pink eye.

Virtual care doesn't work for severe problems. But for less serious problems, it may cost less and be faster than in-person clinic visits.