How do I get treatment for a medical condition?

How to Access Treatment for a Medical Condition

Start by contacting your primary care physician or general practitioner, who will perform an initial assessment and either provide treatment directly or refer you to appropriate specialists based on your specific condition. 1

Initial Steps to Access Care

Primary Care Assessment

• Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor for initial evaluation of your symptoms and concerns 1
• The assessment should identify your needs, preferences, and priorities regarding treatment, along with your important activities, values, and goals in daily life 1
• Your doctor will determine whether your condition can be managed in primary care or requires specialist referral 1

Understanding Referral Pathways

Three main referral categories determine your treatment pathway: 1

1. Short-term problems requiring specific procedures: Conditions like regional pain syndromes benefit from prompt specialist access, as early treatment improves prognosis 1

2. Chronic conditions requiring diagnosis and counseling: Conditions such as osteoarthritis, gout, or chronic pain can often be managed in the community with appropriate guidance from specialists to your primary care doctor 1

3. Progressive conditions requiring ongoing specialist care: Inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic progressive conditions need close supervision through "shared care" between specialists and primary care 1

Developing Your Treatment Plan

Personalized Management Approach

You should receive a personalized management plan through shared decision-making between you and your healthcare provider, aimed at reducing symptoms and improving function in daily life. 1

The treatment approach follows a stepped-care model: 1

• Step 1: Education and self-management support with access to educational materials, psychoeducation, and self-management programs 1
• Step 2: Specialist interventions when indicated, including physical therapy, psychological support, or specific medical treatments 1
• Step 3: Multidisciplinary treatment when multiple interventions are needed or single treatments have failed 1

Key Treatment Components Available

Physical interventions (when indicated): 1

• Advice to stay active or supervised physical exercise programs
• Referral to physiotherapist for individually tailored graded exercise or strength training
• Orthotics, assistive devices, or ergonomic adaptations through occupational therapy

Psychological and social support (when indicated): 1

• Basic psychological management or referral to psychologist/social worker
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy programs
• Self-management support programs

Additional interventions (when indicated): 1

• Sleep interventions and education about sleep hygiene
• Weight management support through dietitian or specialized programs
• Pharmacological treatments according to current recommendations

Accessing Specialist Care

Multidisciplinary Team Access

For complex or progressive conditions, you should have access to a multidisciplinary team including specialist physicians, nursing care, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. 1

• Most diagnostic and therapeutic procedures occur on an outpatient basis 1
• Hospitalization may be required for serious complications, surgery, or rehabilitation of severe disability 1
• Services should provide timely access, as early effective interventions improve outcomes 1

Communication Requirements

When requesting specialist consultation, ensure your primary care doctor provides: 2

• The specific question to be addressed (considered essential by 94% of physicians)
• Contact information for response communication
• Urgency level of the consultation

Ensuring Effective Treatment

Active Participation in Your Care

You should become an active partner in your healthcare team, taking a proactive role in managing your condition. 3

This includes: 3

• Developing self-care and self-management skills, including problem-solving and goal-setting
• Setting joint treatment goals through shared decision-making that support your aspirations for health and well-being
• Identifying individual treatment goals such as return to work, quality of life improvement, or resumption of activities

Addressing Treatment Barriers

Multiple barriers to receiving and adhering to treatment should be systematically identified and addressed: 1, 3

• Patient-related factors (understanding, preferences, concerns)
• Healthcare system factors (access, cost, availability)
• Sociocultural, psychological, and financial circumstances
• Medication affordability through free or subsidized options when needed

Ongoing Monitoring

• Follow-up visits should assess your well-being, safety of treatments, and adherence to therapy 1
• Treatment adjustments should occur when target goals aren't achieved, when you experience side effects, or when your condition changes 1
• Regular reviews (typically annual minimum) ensure treatment remains appropriate 1

Important Considerations

Common pitfalls to avoid: 4

• Don't simply request "everything" without clarifying what specific treatments align with your values and medical situation
• Communicate openly about what balance of treatment burden and benefit you can tolerate
• Alert your healthcare providers to physical or emotional changes when taking medications 1

When treatment isn't working: 1

• Target treatment goals can be adjusted downward if your condition progresses
• Alternative approaches should be considered if you're intolerant of prescribed treatments
• Non-adherence issues should be discussed openly to find workable solutions