"A Family Doctor’s Vital Role"

In 2017, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. It started with what seemed like a bad case of food poisoning. After that was resolved, complications lingered, and I found myself on a frustratingly slow journey through Alberta's healthcare system. There were tests, specialists, and countless appointments, but my family doctor—who I'd been with for over 15 years—was the one constant.

Before that diagnosis, I hadn't been much of a regular patient. I was reasonably healthy overall, only dropping in occasionally for minor things. But as the process unfolded, I realized how critical having a trusted family doctor is. He was my advocate, guiding me through the system and ensuring I got the care I needed. When the diagnosis came, the shock was tempered by relief—I finally had answers, and with his and my GI's help, I got a treatment plan in place.

Managing Crohn's isn't easy. It's a chronic disease, but I've been fortunate. With changes to my diet and exercise, along with medication, I reached a point where the disease was fully under control. Life felt normal again—until it didn't.

One day, a letter arrived that threw everything into question. It was brief and blunt: my doctor had retired, effective immediately, due to his own health issues. Bowmont Clinic, where he worked, couldn't take on his patients, but they'd gladly transfer my 20 years of medical records. That was it. Good bye and good luck. Nearly 20 years of being a patient, and I wasn't even worth a phone call.

It hit me hard. Crohn's requires consistent management—quarterly blood tests, regular checkups, and an annual appointment with my gastroenterologist. The medication keeping me healthy wasn't something I could refill on a whim. Without a family doctor, everything felt uncertain, like the foundation I'd built my recovery on was cracking.

The letter directed me to an Alberta Health Services website to find a new family doctor. What a nightmare that turned out to be. The list of available doctors was short, and most weren't actually accepting patients. The one who was had a history of legal trouble—hardly comforting.

My wife and kids had the same family doctor, but we knew her practice was full. That felt like a non-starter.

For weeks, I scrambled, calling clinics, refreshing the website, and trying to find a solution. Anxiety loomed large. Thankfully, my wife had an appointment with her doctor and explained my situation. After some discussion, her doctor agreed to take me on as a patient. I can't overstate the relief I felt when I got that news. Crisis averted—but just barely.

That was a year and a half ago. Since then, I've been working with my new family doctor to stay on top of my Crohn's and my overall health. Things are stable again, and I'm grateful every day for that. But the experience left me shaken.

Losing my doctor so suddenly exposed cracks in the system. Alberta's healthcare worked for me when I needed a diagnosis and treatment --  slow, but it worked -- but when I needed a new family doctor, it felt like I was on my own. I can't imagine what it would've been like without the good fortune of finding a doctor willing to step in because I had an inside connection.

Today, I'm managing my Crohn's successfully. But that chapter reminded me how fragile access to care can feel, even when you're doing everything right. I hope sharing this story encourages others to advocate for themselves and shines a light on the importance of continuity in healthcare.