Seeing a medical specialist in Canada starts with getting a family doctor’s referral. But, the depletion of family doctors and the doctor-patient ratio is quite grim, as the College of Family Physicians in Canada reports that more than six people are without a family doctor. However, you can still get a referral without a family doctor by following one of these ways:
- Visit a walk-in clinic near you
- Ask a nurse practitioner
- Consult an online doctor
Why do you need a referral to see a specialist in Canada?
The following are a few reasons specialist doctors are seen only after a referral from a primary care provider in Canada’s publicly funded healthcare system:
1. Effective use of resources
There are only 49,120 specialist physicians serving 39 million people in rural, urban, suburban, and remote areas of Canada. The requirement for referrals prevents specialists from being overbooked with cases that a GP could easily manage. With the average patient waiting nearly half a year for care, the scarcity of specialists directly translates into long, unavoidable waits. Here is how the state looks for each province:
Ontario
Patients usually wait ~22 weeks, although the province has more than 11,000 dermatologists, cardiologists, urologists, neurologists, and nephrologists.
British Columbia
Large patient volumes drive waits to ~28 weeks, so referrals are vital in directing resources to those who need them.
Alberta
5,823 medical specialists serve the province, yet wait times still stretch close to the national average of ~28 weeks.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There are only 733 specialists. With the longest specialist-to-treatment waits averaging over 56 weeks, every referral helps clinicians fast-track the most critical patients.
Manitoba
With about 1,625 specialists available, longer-than-average national wait times mean a clear referral significantly increases chances of quicker access.
Prince Edward Island
Only 73 medical specialists are practicing, but recent wait times hover near 55 weeks. That makes a well-documented referral a critical tool for specialists to fast-track those at the highest need.
Nova Scotia
With around 1481 medical specialists and a referral-to-treatment wait exceeding 56 weeks, a thorough referral helps doctors identify and treat pressing cases amid the backlog.
New Brunswick
With roughly 1,033 medical specialists, current waits over 52 weeks mean that every referral must flag urgency to ensure timely specialist care.
Québec
The province had 7,885 medical specialists, but wait times still average about 27–30 weeks.
Saskatchewan
There is a referral-to-treatment delay of nearly 28 weeks, although there are 1,246 gynaecologists, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, gastroenterologists, and other specialists.
2. Quality Care
The family doctor will only refer you if a specialist’s expertise is truly needed. For example, you will be sent to a dermatologist for a suspicious mole or to a cardiologist if you have risk factors for heart disease.
3. Insurance coverage requirements
Under OHIP, MSP, AHIC, and other provincial health plans, you can get coverage for specialist consultations when referred. If you try to see a specialist without a referral, the visit might not be covered, even if the specialist accepts you.
5 ways to get a referral without a family doctor
Not having a family physician doesn’t mean you’re shut out from specialist care. You can obtain a referral without a general practitioner, no matter where you live. Here are some of these options:
Visit a walk-in clinic
Walk-in clinics let you see a licensed general practitioner on a one-off basis. The doctor can assess your issue and, if appropriate, write you a referral to a specialist just as your family doctor would. However, a walk-in clinic might be the best option for you if you are:
- Short on time
- Your immunity is compromised
- Need multiple consultations/follow-ups
Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
NPs have advanced training and can serve as primary care providers. Expanding NP referrals has been a recent initiative in places like Ontario to improve specialist access. They can evaluate you and provide a referral if required. It is important to know that NP referrals can be challenging to obtain, as:
- They are not available everywhere
- Sometimes, there are waitlists for NP
Virtual Healthcare Platforms
Telemedicine services provide the fastest doctors’ referrals online, depending on your platform. They consist of licensed Canadian physicians (or NPs) who can assess your needs through chat or video. They often work around the clock, allowing you to consult a doctor around the clock via app or phone and get a referral letter within minutes. Virtual care can be your best bet if you want:
- Speed
- Convenience
However, consultation with an online doctor often costs a fee and requires a stable internet connection.
Provincial Health Lines and Programs
Some provinces have telehealth nurse lines (811) or referral programs that help those patients without any access to a family doctor
For example, calling 811 in Nova Scotia or other regions can connect you to resources on getting a referral. Quebec’s family medicine groups have centralized referral systems for certain specialties. Ontario has Health Care Connect to link people with doctors.
Urgent Care
If you go to an urgent care center or ER for a pressing issue, the attending physician might determine you need specialist follow-up. They can directly refer you to an on-call specialist or ask the specialist to see you in the clinic soon. However, urgent care works for:
- Urgent problems
- You’ll likely wait many hours in the ER
How long does a referral last?
A standard referral from a GP is usually valid for 12 months from the date you first see the specialist. This means the specialist can continue to see you for that issue for up to a year in Canada. Some referrals are marked “ongoing” or “indefinite” if the patient will require long-term specialist follow-up. This can, however, vary with provinces. For example,
- Referrals don’t expire under the same conditions in BC. You would need a new referral for a new, unrelated condition.
How long does it take to see a specialist with a referral?
In 2023, the average wait from GP referral to receiving specialist treatment was an astonishing 27.7 weeks (nearly 7 months), the longest recorded since tracking began in 1993. That includes:
- 14.6 weeks waiting just to see a specialist
- Another 13.1 weeks between your appointment and receiving treatment
However, this timeline varies depending on which specialist you see and where you live in Canada. For instance,
- Radiation and medical oncology have 4–5 weeks of access time
- Orthopedic surgery can take about 44 weeks
- It can take 43.5 weeks to see a neurosurgeon
Why should you choose Your Doctors Online for specialist referrals?
Our licensed doctors can refer to any medical specialist where a referral is appropriate. From allergists to gynecologists to orthopedics, you can get a referral to any specialist to alleviate your symptoms.
Always-on, Instant Access
We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can get a referral within 5 minutes of your consultation. Rather than waiting days (or weeks) for the next available clinic appointment, YDO lets you start the process now.
Licensed Canadian Doctors
Our team comprises board-certified physicians familiar with Canadian referral practices. This means any referral we issue is 100% legitimate and accepted by specialists and insurers.
No Follow-Up Headaches
Unlike some one-off virtual services, our subscription model allows you to continue chatting with the doctors after you receive the referral. This means if you have questions like “Which clinics accept this referral?” or “What should I do while waiting?”, you get answers instantly. We can also provide interim care, including:
- Offering online prescriptions
- Providing doctor’s notes
- Ordering tests if appropriate,
So that the specialist has more info by the time you see them. Consult our Canadian doctor online to get your specialist referral within 5 minutes.
FAQs
You don’t necessarily need to know the exact type of specialist you need to be referred to. That part will be determined by the doctor during your consultation. For instance, you might know you have knee pain, but you’re unsure if you need to see an orthopedic or rheumatologist. If you’re using a platform like YDO, just describe your problem in plain language (“I have XYZ symptoms”) and our online doctor will decide to whom you should be referred.
Yes, as long as the referral is from a licensed Canadian physician or nurse practitioner, it doesn’t matter whether you saw them in person or virtually. The referral letter will have the provider’s credentials and license number, which the specialist’s office may verify.
No, if it’s within the public healthcare system, your visit and treatment by the specialist are covered by your provincial health insurance. You will need to show your health card at the specialist’s office. Reach out to us if you want a referral to a specialist accepting the following provincial healthcare plans:
OHIP
MSP
AHIC
In most cases, no, not for medical specialists under the public system. Specialists’ offices will almost always ask for a referral letter. It’s how they triage appropriate cases and bill the provincial insurance. A few exceptions exist if you.
You go to a private dermatology clinic.
You opt for specialists such as psychologists or physiotherapists
