When you find yourself in search of a new Family Doctor / GP, make sure you ask them questions at your initial consult. Nothing says you have to Stay with this person, and if you don't get a good vibe, feel free to continue your search. Some pertinent questions you may want to ask of a prospective GP are:
1) Are you still able to go to walk-in clinics, or is that discouraged? -- Some docs will get upset if you seek walk-in clinic advice/support outside of their practice, decide if that is something you can live with.
2) Are same day appointments possible? -- sometimes they are so booked they cannot ever see same-day requests, meaning that if something is urgent you may Need a walk-in clinic, which may interfere with their policy as per question 1.
3) Alternatively, can appointments be made in advance? -- Some doctors practices have been known to Only want same-day calls.
4) Does the clinic charge for certain papers they issue? -- Many papers will have a fee, sometimes this is covered (minimal), sometimes they have a package you pay for that will cover the cost of "THESE" papers (sick notes, referrals, etc). Check before you commit.
5) Are they intending to stay for a fixed length of time, or are they open-ended and not planning to move? -- if they are younger or significantly older, they may be setting up stable practices to start a family, or to setup a life for retirement. If they are middle aged, they may change locations later in life as their kids grow up and offer more freedom, or because they want to settle somewhere before retiring. (This is actually the case that caused this LPT, my GP closed up shop for "other career opportunities, sorry for the hassle").
6) Is the only method of contacting them an appointment? Or do they have an online form/email that simple questions can be sent through, with replies sent back electronically? -- Sometimes you don't have an issue but want to get their help and are too embarrassed to ask in person, or feel this is not urgent enough to warrant a visit - they may allow you to submit a picture or details, the doctor can then reply to you if you need an appointment or if this is something that could resolve itself and there is no need for you to show up.
7) What is the typical delay time between requesting/needing an appointment, and actually getting to see the doctor? -- sometimes there is a known "unless someone cancels, we usually can't slot someone in for about 2-3 days" due to volume of patients, or "we usually have a few slots for same-day calls, but call early".
This list is by no means complete, but as far as a citation for rule 9 (despite the fact this is not actually advocating health practices, but moreso professional information for you to find out regarding your health practitioner), it's a list of things I've put together with my wife and colleagues, based on the personal experience in trying to find a new family doctor, knowing what I had, what others have, and what I would be looking for in a new GP. I had searched online in reddit and google and could not find a decent collection of questions of this nature, nor reasoning behind them, so I compiled our collective thoughts into a post. I hope it helps you out.
Remember, doctors are there to help you, they are people and have quirks the same as the rest of us, so please be polite when you are meeting them and asking these questions, but don't be shy about interviewing them on a first visit - it shows that you care about the person who will be caring for you and want what is best for yourself.
