(no subject)

[indecent-.livejournal.com]

So I searched through the FAQ and couldn't find anything for Canada or finding a Gyno.

This is a silly question but are there actual doctors that are only gynocologists (like that's the only practice they do)? I'm assuming there are, just how do I find one? (in canada)
I don't really want to go see a regular doctor or go to a walk in clinic because the last one i went to that checked me out down there was really heartless and not helpful at all when she announced I "might" have HPV and couldn't do anything about it.

Thanks for your help!

Comments

[yosephy.livejournal.com]

Yes, there are lots of gynocologists out there! You can check a phone book under physicians or clinics. Then look for either a gynocologist or an OB/GYN, which is an obstitrician/gyno. Or you can ask your friends where they go.

[jupiter--crash.livejournal.com]

agreed. most of my friends have separate gynocologists. i also worked with one when i was doing my clinical rotations*in toronto canada* so they are out there:)

[indecent-.livejournal.com]

[mypoorfriendme.livejournal.com]

There are, but it can be difficult to find one, depending on where you are. In NB, we have such a shortage that most women don't see a gyno unless there's a problem. As far as I know (here at least, and it may be different in your province), you need a referral from your family doctor to see a gyno.

Do you have a family physician? They should be able to take care of testing and such for HPV in their office.

[indecent-.livejournal.com]

[mypoorfriendme.livejournal.com]

Phonebook, usually under 'Physicians'. I don't know how it works in BC, but here you can call an office and request to be registered with them, and if the doctor is able to take new patients, they'll put you on their list and let you make an appointment. You can find gynos that way too, but I don't know if you can just call and request an appointment without being referred. I'm not sure whether there's a good number of gynos in BC, but I think if you looked through the phonebook, you'd be able to get an idea of where you could go for some help. Also, some phonebooks have a 'Women's Health' or 'Sexual Health' category; you might want to check there, too :)

Wow, this is totally off your particular topic, but I decided to look in our phone to see how many gynos there actually are, and only found three listed. That's crazy.

[mypoorfriendme.livejournal.com]

Oops, *our phonebook.

[indecent-.livejournal.com]

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

FYI:
If you search the CPSNB database (http://www.cpsnb.org/webdata/drdbase_form.shtml) for Ob/Gyns in New Brunswick, it comes up with 46 people.

[mypoorfriendme.livejournal.com]

For my city in particular, there are 3 listed in the phonebook. When you search that directory (thanks for posting that link, btw!) there are ten additional OB/GYNs. Neat! But it's kind of odd, as only 6 of the 13 listed on that website are in the phonebook at all...

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

Well, there isn't much point in a specialist advertising in the phonebook, when you'll still need a referral from your family doc to see them. They're better off advertising directly to the family docs in the area.

[vicious-kittie.livejournal.com]

I live on the east coast and my family doctor will do a pap, but there's a specialized gyno for other issues. My cramps like to take over my body, so I've been referred to a gyno.

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

In Canada, a gynecologist is a specialist just like any other, which means you need a referral from your family doctor to see one. This is different from the US, where there are primary care gynecologists that you can just look up in the phonebook and then call for an appointment.

If you're looking for someone to do your routine Pap smears, STD testing, contraception, etc. then you should see your family doctor for that. They are responsible for all general primary and preventative care stuff, including "women's health issues". I see you're in BC and don't have a family doc, so I'd recommend that you go check out the CPSBC Physician Search Page (https://www.cpsbc.ca/cps/physician_directory/search). You type in the name of your City, choose "General Practice (including CCFP - Family Practice)" from the drop-down box, check the "accepting new patients" box, and Search. Voila. :)

In the meantime, you might want to check out the STD clinics (http://www.bccdc.org/clinic_index.php?item=1) or "Options for Sexual Health" Clinics (http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/) in BC, since a lot of them seem to do contraception and general sexual health stuff as well. Some of them might see you even if your health insurance status is a bit iffy right now. Best to call and ask first, though. :)

Good luck, and welcome to Canada!

[indecent-.livejournal.com]

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

I did a search for general practitioners in Vancouver who are accepting new patients, and it found 131 physicians. I think you'll be able to find somebody. :) When you click on the name, it gives you some info about them, like where and when they got their medical degree, and their office address and phone number. If I were you, I'd browse through the names, looking for places nearby or easy to get to with public transit. I'd probably have a bit of bias toward people who trained in Canada and graduated within the last 20 years or so, but then I'm pretty picky. ;) You can pick by gender too, if that matters to you. When you find someone you think sounds interesting, just call up their clinic and ask 1) if they're actually taking new patients, and 2) if it would be okay to book a short appointment just to meet the doctor and discuss your general health needs. I'd think they'd probably be okay with that.

And yeah, family docs can do breast exams too. They're a pretty all-purpose bunch. :)

I just did the gyno search too, and yeah... there appear to be 91 ob/gyns in Vancouver, but none of them are taking new patients. Innnteresting. Hopefully that's just a glitch in the database and not really the case! Yikes.

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

Alternately, you could just go wandering around your neighbourhood or convenient areas, looking for family doctors' offices. That would probably also work, though it might take some trial and error to find one that's taking new patients. :)

[vaverine.livejournal.com]

Hiya - I just moved from Vancouver, after 3 gloriously soggy years there, so maybe I can help. I'm not sure what you're looking for exactly, but I can tell you what I did.

I wasn't a permanent resident of BC and didn't have a CareCard either, I just used my provincial health care card from Ontario (OHIP) and it was no problem. I didn't have a family doctor either. Again, no problemo!

What I did - when I needed my yearly exam and when I needed to get my IUD - was go to the Vancouver Planned Parenthood (which calls itself Options For Sexual Health ~ http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/). There's a clinic at Vancouver General (VGH Women's Clinic, Willow Pavilion, 805 W. 12th Avenue) and one at Kootenay Loop (not sure of the street address). Both are REALLY easy to get to by transit, just call for an appointment and they'll give you directions. They both take health care cards, so don't worry about $.

They can do normal appointment stuff for you (pap and exam, etc.) and they can refer you to a gyn if you need it (ie: I needed a gyn to insert my IUD and they got me a referral and an appointment).

If you DON'T want to go through Planned Parenthood you will need to get a referral - but I think you can get one from a walk-in clinic doctor. Or, you could call a gyn office and ask what they would like you to do since you don't have a family doctor, I'm sure they'll help you out.

For what it's worth - the Gyn I was referred to was lovely. Her name was Michelle Bellanger and she was at Obstetrics and Gynaecology of City Square (555 West 12th Avenue (City Square Mall) 604-708-0788).

Don't stress - it'll all work out :) Hope you find what you're looking for!!