Dr. Adam Scott McDowall – Family Doctor | Chatham, ON

Dr. Adam Scott McDowall is a Family Doctor. Practicing at University of Toronto in Chatham, ON, he is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. He is registered with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine. His focus is providing continuous and comprehensive primary medical care for individuals and families across all ages and stages of life. This includes preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, and management of ongoing health needs, serving as the central point for patient care. He serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Adam Scott McDowall completed his Medical Degree. He brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. He has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as comprehensive primary care within family practice. He is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of his practice philosophy include fostering continuity of care and building long-term relationships with patients and their families, providing a trusted medical home; advocating for patients' needs within the healthcare system and coordinating care effectively with specialists and community services; a commitment to evidence-based medicine, integrating the latest research with clinical expertise to provide the highest standard of care. He provides consultations in English.

Dr. Adam Scott McDowall provides comprehensive family medical care for a wide variety of health concerns affecting patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Viral Skin Infections (Common Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster/Shingles): Providing effective treatment for various viral skin conditions to alleviate symptoms, shorten duration of outbreaks, prevent complications (like PHN or secondary bacterial infection), and reduce transmission where applicable.
• Primary Care Skin Cancer Screening & Early Detection (Suspicious Mole/Lesion Assessment): Educating patients on sun safety measures (sunscreen, protective clothing, avoiding peak sun hours), the importance of regular skin self-examination using the ABCDEs of melanoma, and encouraging prompt reporting of any changing or new skin lesions.
• Fungal Skin, Nail & Hair Infections (Tinea species, Candidiasis, Onychomycosis): Providing effective remedies for bothersome and often contagious fungal infections of the skin, hair shafts, and nails, along with advice on hygiene and prevention of recurrence.
• Psoriasis (Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis - Initial Management): Helping patients manage the symptoms of psoriasis (scaling, plaques, itchiness) and reduce skin inflammation through effective topical therapies and supportive care.

Pediatric Common Issues

• Newborn Care & Infant Feeding Support (Breastfeeding, Formula): Supporting new parents in caring for their infant, addressing common concerns (colic, reflux, sleep patterns), and promoting bonding and healthy attachment.
• Childhood Immunization Schedule Management & Counseling: Providing timely and safe immunizations, addressing parental questions or concerns about vaccines with evidence-based information and empathy, managing catch-up schedules if needed, and documenting all immunizations accurately.
• Common Childhood Infections (Viral & Bacterial - Ear, Throat, Chest, Skin, GI): Diagnosing and treating frequent acute illnesses in children, such as otitis media (ear infections), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat - with rapid testing if available), common colds and influenza, croup, bronchiolitis, roseola, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and common skin infections (impetigo, cellulitis - mild).

Preventative Health Topics

• Infectious Disease Prevention & Outbreak Management Support (Community Level): Educating patients and families on routine infection prevention and control measures (e.g., hand hygiene, cough etiquette, staying home when sick). Providing guidance during community outbreaks of infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, measles, pertussis, COVID-19), including advice on testing, isolation/quarantine, and public health recommendations.
• Occupational Health Screening & Advice (Basic Pre-placement, Return-to-Work): Performing basic pre-employment medicals or fitness-for-work assessments as required by some employers (typically non-WCB/WSIB related, fees may apply). Providing advice on general workplace health and safety, injury prevention, and initial assessment of health concerns potentially related to occupational exposures or ergonomics, with appropriate referrals if specialized occupational medicine input is needed.
• Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Discussion & Resource Navigation: A holistic approach to primary care that considers the broader social context of health and aims to reduce barriers to care and well-being by addressing SDOH.
• Travel Medicine Advice & Routine/Travel Vaccinations: Helping you prepare for safe and healthy international travel with essential medical guidance, ensuring you are up-to-date on immunizations and equipped with preventative strategies and medications for common and serious travel-related illnesses.

Common Acute Conditions

• Headaches (Tension-type, Migraine - Acute Symptomatic Relief): Management of acute migraine episodes or severe tension headaches, including advice on abortive medications, lifestyle adjustments during an attack, and strategies for future prevention.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs - Cystitis, Pyelonephritis - uncomplicated initial): Prompt diagnosis (e.g., urinalysis, urine culture if needed) and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections such as cystitis (bladder infection) and initial assessment/management of suspected uncomplicated pyelonephritis (kidney infection) to alleviate discomfort (dysuria, frequency, urgency, flank pain) and prevent complications.
• Gastrointestinal Infections (Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning): Advice and supportive care for managing symptoms of viral or bacterial gastroenteritis ('stomach flu') or mild food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, with a primary focus on preventing and managing dehydration, especially in vulnerable populations (children, elderly).
• Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries (Sprains, Strains, Minor Back/Neck Pain): Providing advice on RICE/POLICE principles (Rest/Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation), pain relief options (analgesics, NSAIDs, heat/cold therapy), and gentle exercises for acute soft tissue injuries to promote healing.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) - Diagnosis, Management & Monitoring (Often with Rheumatology Co-Management): Long-term management of PMR involves a very slow and gradual tapering of corticosteroids over 1-2 years (or longer), carefully monitoring for clinical relapse (recurrence of symptoms) and adjusting steroid dose accordingly. Also includes monitoring for and managing potential corticosteroid side effects (e.g., osteoporosis - bone protection with calcium/vitamin D, bisphosphonates if needed; hyperglycemia; hypertension; weight gain; mood changes; skin fragility).
• Fibromyalgia & Other Widespread Chronic Pain Syndromes - Primary Care Diagnosis & Multimodal Management: Working collaboratively with individuals experiencing chronic widespread pain to develop personalized self-management strategies, set realistic functional goals, and coordinate care effectively with other healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and rheumatologists (for diagnostic confirmation or complex cases).
• Mechanical Low Back & Neck Pain (Acute, Subacute, Chronic - Uncomplicated): Primary care coordination for back and neck pain, including referral to physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, or specialist pain services when appropriate for persistent or disabling symptoms.
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Tendinopathies & Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) - Initial Assessment & Conservative Management: Initial assessment, diagnosis, and conservative management of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction related to repetitive tasks, sustained awkward postures, or ergonomic factors at work or during hobbies. This includes common conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome (mild-moderate), de Quervain's tenosynovitis, epicondylitis (tennis/golfer's elbow), trigger finger/thumb, rotator cuff tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and non-specific arm/neck/shoulder pain attributable to overuse.

This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. McDowall. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management (Early to Moderate Stages): Primary care strategies to protect kidney health, including blood pressure control, glycemic control in diabetics, dietary advice (e.g., protein, sodium, potassium considerations), and timely referrals to nephrology.
• Joint Injections for Pain Relief (e.g., Corticosteroid - if trained/equipped): Performing therapeutic joint injections (e.g., corticosteroid injections) for certain conditions like osteoarthritis, bursitis, or tendinitis in specific joints (e.g., knee, shoulder) to reduce pain and inflammation, if appropriately trained and equipped.
• Management of Acute Dermatological Conditions (Rashes, Hives, Shingles): Assessment and management of sudden onset skin rashes and other common skin ailments to relieve symptoms and promote healing.
• Hospital Discharge Follow-Up & Transitions of Care Management: Supporting patients post-hospitalization with continuity of care, clear communication with hospital teams, and proactive management to prevent complications, reduce readmissions, and optimize recovery.
• Routine Health Check-ups & Physicals for Adults: Providing regular comprehensive health assessments for adults of all ages to monitor overall health status, review lifestyle factors, update immunizations, and perform or coordinate age and gender-appropriate preventative screenings.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. McDowall. For a comprehensive understanding of all services, or to discuss your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Family Doctors in ON and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At University of Toronto, family medicine is centered on a collaborative partnership to help individuals like you achieve significant improvements in your health, manage ongoing conditions effectively, and enhance your overall well-being. Dr. McDowall frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• The focus for patients with their teenager needing a confidential space to discuss sensitive health concerns like sexual health or mental well-being at Dr. McDowall's practice is achieving receiving a timely diagnosis of a previously unrecognized condition like obstructive sleep apnea, celiac disease, or hypothyroidism through Dr. McDowall's astute clinical screening and appropriate referral for confirmatory testing, leading to effective treatment and significantly improved quality of life, facilitating a return to meaningful activities like regularly attending and actively participating in religious services, meaningful cultural events, important community group meetings, or engaging hobby clubs, feeling socially connected, included, and valued.
• Dr. McDowall frequently helps patients who are dealing with experiencing unexplained bruising more easily than before. The primary aim is achieving experiencing significant and prompt relief from debilitating acute symptoms like severe pain, high fever, intractable coughs, or distressing allergic reactions, allowing a swift return to their daily activities, work, and family responsibilities, which often allows them to confidently resume feeling notably resilient and physically capable enough to bounce back relatively quickly and completely from minor common illnesses, temporary setbacks, or periods of increased stress without prolonged disruption to their normal life.
• Overcoming or managing their child has a foreign object stuck in their nose or ear (and it seems minor enough for the clinic) is a common patient journey at Dr. McDowall's practice. The focus is on enabling developing a deeply trusted, respectful, and enduring long-term therapeutic relationship with their dedicated and accessible primary care physician, Dr. McDowall, built on open communication and mutual respect, so that engaging in efficiently and capably performing all necessary household chores like vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, doing laundry, deep cleaning, and grocery shopping without excessive physical strain, pain, or subsequent exhaustion becomes a reality again.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. McDowall, will be thoughtfully designed to help you reach your specific functional, preventative, and wellness objectives. He believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and support needed to take an active role in their health journey.

Dr. McDowall's practice at University of Toronto is situated in a family medical practice in the central Chatham neighborhood of Chatham. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for eligible residents with a valid health card. However, some services (e.g., cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes, insurance forms, driver's medicals) may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with University of Toronto if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON?

Generally, you don't need a referral to see a family doctor if they are accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor accepting new patients can be challenging. Resources like Health Care Connect in Ontario may be helpful. A referral is usually required to see specialists.

How can I find a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON who is accepting new patients?

Check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website. In Ontario, you can register with Health Care Connect. Ask friends and family for recommendations. Contact local community health centres or new patient clinics. It may take time.

What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?

A family doctor (Ontario) is a physician who provides continuous and comprehensive medical care, health maintenance, and preventive services to patients of all ages. This includes diagnosing and treating illnesses, managing long-term conditions, offering health education, and acting as your advocate within the healthcare system.

University of Toronto
Unit Suite 602, 20 Emma Street, Postgraduate Medical Education
Chatham, ON, N7L 5K5

Phone: (519) 354-2172

Dr. Adam Scott McDowall is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario) in ON and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Registration Number: 112713

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/McDowall-Adam-Scott/0318549-112713

Family doctors like Dr. McDowall are skilled in managing a wide range of health issues. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your family doctor about all aspects of your health, including any treatments received from other practitioners.