Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Otto – Family Doctor | Edmonton, AB

Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Otto is a Family Doctor (Care of the Elderly Focus). Practicing at a family doctor practice in Edmonton, AB, she is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. She is registered with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine. She is dedicated to addressing the unique and often complex health needs of older adults. This includes comprehensive geriatric assessments, meticulous medication management (polypharmacy), chronic disease care tailored for seniors, falls prevention programs, cognitive health screening (including dementia), and supporting overall well-being, independence, and quality of life in the elderly. She serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Otto completed her MD Doctor of Medicine (UofA - University of Alberta, 1998). She brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. She has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as Family Practice with a Focus on Care of the Elderly (Geriatric-Informed Care) within family practice. She is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of her 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. She provides consultations in English.

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

Common Acute Conditions

• 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.
• Gastrointestinal Infections (Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning): Managing acute episodes of vomiting and diarrhea to support recovery, ensure adequate hydration, and rule out more serious underlying causes.
• Headaches (Tension-type, Migraine - Acute Symptomatic Relief): Providing prompt care for sudden or severe headaches, offering effective relief, and establishing a plan for ongoing management if headaches are recurrent or chronic.

Joint Muscle Pain

• 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: A first point of contact for work-related or activity-induced repetitive strain injuries, guiding effective conservative management, facilitating return to function, and providing documentation for workplace accommodations if necessary. Referral to specialists (e.g., sports medicine, orthopedics, physiatry) if symptoms are persistent, severe, or require further investigation/intervention.
• Gout & Pseudogout (Crystal Arthropathies) - Acute Attack Management & Chronic Prevention Strategies: Providing long-term management strategies for chronic gout to prevent recurrent attacks and complications (e.g., tophi, chronic gouty arthropathy, kidney stones), including detailed lifestyle advice (dietary modifications - reducing purine-rich foods such as red meat/organ meats/shellfish, limiting alcohol especially beer and spirits, avoiding sugary drinks/high-fructose corn syrup; hydration; weight management if overweight/obese) and initiating/managing urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol or febuxostat to achieve and maintain target serum uric acid levels (typically <360 µmol/L or <300 µmol/L if tophi present). Monitoring for medication side effects, adherence, and regular serum uric acid levels.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) - Diagnosis, Management & Monitoring (Often with Rheumatology Co-Management): Often co-managed with or referred to rheumatology, especially for atypical presentations, diagnostic uncertainty, difficulty tapering corticosteroids, frequent relapses, or suspected GCA. Primary care plays a key role in ongoing monitoring, patient education, and supportive care for PMR.

Pediatric Common Issues

• Well-Baby & Well-Child Check-ups (Growth, Development, Nutrition, Safety): Ensuring your child meets key developmental stages according to age, receives all recommended preventative health screenings (e.g., vision, hearing, anemia, lead - as per guidelines), and appropriate immunizations in a timely manner.
• Pediatric Asthma, Eczema & Allergy Management (Primary Care): Diagnosing and managing common chronic conditions in pediatric patients, such as asthma (including education on inhaler/spacer technique, trigger avoidance, development of personalized asthma action plans for home and school), eczema (atopic dermatitis - focusing on skincare, emollients, topical corticosteroids/calcineurin inhibitors, trigger management), and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Includes initial assessment and guidance for food allergies, with referral to pediatric allergists for confirmation and comprehensive management if indicated.
• Adolescent Health Care & Counseling (Physical, Mental, Sexual Health, Lifestyle, Substance Use): Providing confidential, respectful, and age-appropriate comprehensive primary care for teenagers (typically ages 12-18+). Addressing a wide range of issues including pubertal development, acne, body image concerns, sports injuries, mental health (screening for anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders), sexual health education (contraception, STI prevention/screening, healthy relationships), substance use (screening, brief intervention, counseling), and promoting healthy lifestyle choices (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, responsible digital media use).
• Childhood Immunization Schedule Management & Counseling: Keeping your child's vaccinations fully up-to-date for their individual protection and to contribute to community (herd) immunity, thereby protecting vulnerable individuals.

Palliative Care Needs

• Psychosocial, Emotional & Spiritual Support for Patients & Their Families in Palliative Care: Offering compassionate companionship, guidance, and practical support throughout the palliative care journey, fostering open communication, hope (redefined), and a sense of meaning and connection.
• Advance Care Planning (ACP), Goals of Care Discussions & End-of-Life Decision Making Support: Assisting patients in completing formal advance directives (living wills, power of attorney for personal care), appointing substitute decision-makers, and ensuring their wishes for end-of-life care are clearly documented, regularly reviewed (especially if clinical status changes), and effectively communicated to the entire healthcare team and family members.
• Coordination of Multidisciplinary Palliative Care, Hospice Access & Community Resources: Acting as a central point of contact, advocate, and navigator to help patients and families access and utilize the complex array of services available for palliative and end-of-life care, reducing system fragmentation and caregiver burden.
• Home Visits for Palliative Care Patients (Where Feasible & Appropriate): Offering continuity of care for patients who prefer to receive palliative care at home, enhancing their comfort and reducing the need for hospital visits.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Bacterial Skin Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis, Cellulitis - uncomplicated): Effective antimicrobial therapy for common bacterial skin infections to resolve infection, prevent spread, and alleviate associated symptoms.
• Psoriasis (Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis - Initial Management): Initial diagnosis and management of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis, providing topical treatments (potent topical corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues like calcipotriol, combination products, coal tar preparations, emollients) and lifestyle advice (stress management, identifying triggers). Screening for psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Referral to dermatology for moderate to severe psoriasis (requiring phototherapy or systemic/biologic agents), psoriatic arthritis, or diagnostic uncertainty.
• Primary Care Skin Cancer Screening & Early Detection (Suspicious Mole/Lesion Assessment): Playing a vital primary care role in the early detection of skin cancer, which significantly improves prognosis, and facilitating prompt access to specialist dermatological care when needed.

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

• Management of Common Geriatric Syndromes (e.g., Incontinence, Frailty, Malnutrition): Early identification and proactive management of geriatric syndromes to prevent functional decline, hospitalizations, and improve overall health outcomes in older adults.
• Management of Common Adult Acute & Chronic Illnesses: Expert management of prevalent adult health concerns to support optimal health, function, and quality of life.
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Risk Assessment & Management: Evaluating risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, including blood pressure measurement, cholesterol (lipid panel) screening, blood glucose testing, and assessing lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, smoking, family history). Includes initiation of preventative medications if indicated.
• Osteoporosis Screening, Prevention & Management: Helping patients reduce their risk of fragility fractures through comprehensive bone health management.
• Joint Injections for Pain Relief (e.g., Corticosteroid - if trained/equipped): Providing in-office joint injections to alleviate symptoms and improve function in selected musculoskeletal conditions.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Otto. 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 AB and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

At Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Otto's practice, 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. Otto frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Patients often come to Dr. Otto regarding wanting to discuss fertility concerns or get initial advice before trying to conceive. Working together, they aim for learning to expertly self-manage key aspects of their chronic condition much more effectively (e.g., adjusting insulin based on readings, using an asthma action plan correctly, recognizing early warning signs of a COPD exacerbation), significantly increasing their sense of personal independence, confidence, and empowerment over their health, making a return to feeling mentally clear, exceptionally sharp, highly focused, and consistently productive throughout their demanding workday, during important decision-making processes, or when engaged in complex cognitive tasks feasible.
• The path to wellness when facing experiencing sudden flashes of light or floaters in their vision involves working towards benefiting from Dr. Otto's proactive and systematic approach to mental health screening and discussion during routine visits, leading to earlier identification and support for emerging psychological distress. Dr. Otto guides patients so they can again enjoy passionately pursuing their cherished creative hobbies (like painting, writing, or playing music), engaging in intellectually stimulating leisure interests, or dedicating time to new learning adventures with renewed enthusiasm and sustained focus.

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

Dr. Otto practices at a family medical clinic in Edmonton, situated in the S Central: Ritchie, Strathcona (Whyte Ave East) neighborhood of Edmonton. The clinic is conveniently located near Fringe Festival Area and is accessible via Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) (LRT, Bus). Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for eligible residents with a valid health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes, insurance forms, and driver's medicals, may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with our clinic if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

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

A family doctor (Alberta) is a physician who has completed post-graduate training in family medicine. They are skilled in providing continuous and comprehensive medical care, health maintenance, and preventive services to patients of all ages. This includes diagnosing and treating a vast array of illnesses, managing complex long-term health conditions, offering health education and counseling on lifestyle choices, and acting as your advocate and guide within the broader healthcare system.

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

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta often has a 'Find a Doctor' tool or list on their website. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. Finding a family doctor accepting new patients can be challenging and may take time.

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

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor if they are accepting new patients. However, finding a doctor accepting new patients can be difficult. Provincial resources may be helpful. A referral is usually required to see specialists.

9649 71 Ave NW, Good Samaritan Dr. Gerald Zetter Care Centre
Edmonton, AB, T6E 5J2

Phone: (780) 431-3925

Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Otto is regulated by the Health Professions Act (Alberta) in AB and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

Registration Number: 012469

Verify registration with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=4604247d-f14a-4b6c-935b-cf70dd375e66&i=1112

Family doctors like Dr. Otto 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.