I Need to See a Specialist—Now What?
What to expect when your family doctor sends you for a referral
Being told you need to see a specialist can bring up a lot of questions:
“How long will this take?”
“Do I call them, or do they call me?”
“What do I do while I wait?”
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect—and how to make the most of the process.
Step 1: Your Family Doctor Sends the Referral
If we’ve discussed that you need to see a specialist (like a dermatologist, cardiologist, or surgeon), we’ll send a referral on your behalf. Most referrals are faxed directly to the specialist’s office, along with your relevant medical history, test results, and the reason for the consult.
You don’t need to do anything at this stage.
Step 2: You’ll Be Contacted to Book an Appointment
Depending on the specialist, you might:
Get a call directly from their office
Receive a letter with your appointment info
Be placed on a waitlist and contacted later
If you haven’t heard anything within 2–4 Months, feel free to call our clinic—we can check the status for you.
Step 3: The Wait (Yes, It’s a Thing)
Wait times vary widely in BC depending on the specialty and urgency. Some examples:
Dermatology might be a few months
Orthopedics or Cardiology could take longer—unless urgent
Urgent referrals are flagged and usually seen sooner
While you wait, we’ll continue to manage your care. If anything changes or gets worse, let us know—we can update the referral or adjust the plan.
Step 4: Be Ready for the Appointment
When you get your appointment:
Bring a list of your current medications
Bring any test results if requested
Write down your symptoms, questions, and how long you’ve had the issue
Specialists appreciate when patients come prepared—it makes your visit more productive.
Travel Tip:
If your appointment is out of town, ask the specialist’s office for confirmation of appointment form.
This form needs to be signed and dated at the time of your appointment, and can be used to claim eligible medical travel expenses on your taxes.
✅ You must get it while you’re at the appointment—it can’t be issued later.
Step 5: Follow-Up Back with Your Family Doctor
After your specialist visit, they’ll send a report back to us with their recommendations. We’ll go over it with you and help with next steps—whether that’s more testing, starting treatment, or seeing another provider.
Not Sure What’s Happening With a Referral?
Call the clinic. We’ll check on it for you and keep you updated.
Helpful Links & Resources
Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC) – Info on discounted travel for out-of-town medical appointments.
CRA – Claiming Medical Travel on Your Taxes – What travel costs you can claim and how to do it.