Family Health Group
To the Patient who is considering Registering with a family Health Group DoctorYour Family Health Group
Ontario's family physicians are the foundation upon which our health care
system is based. Your family physician is your first stop for primary
care and your guide through this system.
Your doctor's Family Health Group is a group of family physicians who
are working together to give you and your family better access to quality
primary care services.
Here's what it means to you
Quality and convenience:
-As a registered patient, anytime another doctor in your Family
Health Group treats you, your
personal family doctor will be advised about the nature of your problem
so that he or she will always be up-to-date about your medical condition.
-As a registered patient, should you need assistance after-hours,
simply telephone a registered nurse at your Family Health Group's Telephone
Health Advisory Service.
-The Telephone Health Advisory Service nurse will suggest ways
to address your health concerns, such as recommending an appointment with
your doctor, telling you how you can treat the problem yourself, or advising
you to go to the emergency department.
-You can rest assured that, with your permission, your doctor
will receive a written summary of your call the next day, so that your
doctor is kept fully informed about the nature of the problem and the
advice you received.
It's easy to join a Family Health Group
Simply read and sign the enclosed Patient Enrolment and Consent to Release
Personal Health Information Form and return it to your family doctor or
use the stamped envelope to return the form by mail. By signing the form,
you agree that, unless you're travelling or find yourself in an emergency
situation, you will try to contact your Family Health Group doctor first
when you have a health need. You also agree to allow the Ministry of Health
and Long- Term Care to provide your doctor with information about health
services you have received from family physicians outside your group.
Should your doctor not be available, your Family Health Group will ensure
that you will be directed to another appropriate health care practitioner.
Your doctor may also choose to share part of your medical records with
his or her group colleagues.
Questions and Answers
Q. When I register with my family doctor in a Family Health Group
can I still see specialists or other health care providers?
A. Yes. As a registered patient you commit to seeing your FHG
doctor first. As coordinator of your health care, he or she will be able
to refer you to a specialist or another health care provider in keeping
with your needs.
Q. How confidential is my medical information?
A. Information about your health is as confidential as it has
always been. Your doctor is required to respect the confidentiality of
your health information, as are the other health professionals in your
Family Health Group who care for you. Your doctor decides if there's a
need to share your personal health information with other health professionals.
If your records are shared through computer systems, it will be done under
the strictest conditions of confidentiality that meet or exceed approved
privacy standards and regulations.
Q. Can I go to emergency if my child is sick in the middle of
the night?
A. Of course you can. If you think it's an emergency, don't hesitate
to go. If you're not sure, simply take advantage of your group's after-hours
Telephone Health Advisory Service. A registered nurse will provide you
with advice about what to do. You can be sure that in the morning, with
your permission, your doctor will have a record of your call and the advice
you received.
Q. I like my doctor and want to continue to see him or her. Do I have
to join my doctor's Family health group.
A. No. The choice is yours. You can continue to use the services
your doctor offers without joining. Be sure to talk to your doctor about
your reasons for not registering. He or she can tell you more about the
advantages of registering and signing the Patient Enrolment and Consent
to Release Personal Health Information Form.
Q. What of information am I agreeing to share?
A. By consenting to the limited release of personal health information, you are allowing the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to release, to your Family Health Group doctor, the dates of immunizations, cervical screenings and mammograms and the dates and types of other primary care services that you have received from doctors outside your Family Health Group.
Also, you are allowing the Ministry - on behalf of your family doctor - to give the Telephone Health Advisory Service your name, address, date of birth and Health Number so when you call the service can report back to your family doctor about your call.
Q. Can I register my children?
A. To register your children under 16 years of age, simply complete
the appropriate sections of the Patient Enrolment and Consent to Release
Personal Health Information Form on their behalf. . Young people 16 years
and over need to sign the form themselves.
Q. I have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care for my father.
Can I register him with his doctor?
A. Yes. Just sign the form and check on the "Attorney for Personal Care" box. Please make sure you have the Power of Attorney for Personal Care document available, in case we contact you for a copy.
Q. What happens if I want to change doctors or cancel my registration with my doctor?
A. You are free to change the doctor you are registered with up
to twice a year.
If, however, you are seeing another general practitioner on a regular
basis, the doctor with whom you have registered can remove you from his
or her Family Health Group roster of patients. The doctor can also continue
to see you on the same basis as before you registered. It's a mutual decision.
If you do want to cancel your registration or consent, or plan to change
your doctor, advise your doctor and then inform the Ministry of Health
and Long- Term Care by calling the patient information line at 1-888-218-9929.
FOR OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTERING WITH YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR OR ABOUT
THE Patient Enrolment and Consent to Release Personal Health Information
Form PLEASE CALL THE PATIENT INFORMATION LINE AT 1-888-218-9929. TTY
1-800-387-5559.
Why has your family doctor joined a Family Health Group?
To better meet your health needs!
Your family doctor is your first contact with the health care system.
He or she provides primary health care services like illness prevention,
health education, diagnosis and treatment to you and your family. The
care your doctor delivers includes making referrals to specialists and
being involved with, or informed about, your care in hospital.
Now your doctor has joined a Family Health Group with other family doctors.
You and your family are invited to register with your doctor and take
advantage of the extra services outlined in this brochure.
Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care
@Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2003
1000000/10/15 Cat # 7610-2140432