Family doctors and nurse practitioners (NPs) can both be your main primary care provider, looking after your health over the long term. For most patients the care feels very similar. Almost everything a family doctor can do, an NP can do too.
What both can do for you
Both can diagnose health problems as they come up, help you prevent illness, and make sure you are up to date on screening. They can also give you advice through the ups and downs of your health over the years.
How they are trained
Family doctors are medical doctors. They go to medical school for four years, then complete two years of residency in family medicine. Some get extra training in areas such as obstetrics, emergency medicine, or sports medicine.
Nurse practitioners are nurses who often have a graduate degree and the NP certification. They usually have years of nursing experience before they become NPs, and that experience can be very valuable.
How they work
The bigger difference for you is often the kind of clinic.
- Family doctors can work on their own or as part of a team.
- Nurse practitioners work in several ways:
- In nurse practitioner-led clinics across Ontario.
- On their own, with you as one of their rostered patients.
- As part of a primary care team, sometimes focusing on conditions like diabetes or COPD. You will usually find these NPs in family health teams and community health centres.
Which is right for you?
Some people prefer one type of clinician over the other, and that is fine. Clinics can run quite differently, so it is worth asking about the model when you first contact a clinic. Our guide on what to say when you call has some questions to start with.
Health Care Connect can match you with either a family doctor or a nurse practitioner, so you don't have to choose before you register. Our Find a Family Doctor page has the links.