Dr. Eliane Roy Richard

As a Pneumologue (Respirologue), Dr. Eliane Roy Richard diagnoses and manages a wide array of conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system, including but not limited to:

Airway Diseases

• Emphysema: A major component of COPD, characterized by destruction of lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.
• Chronic Bronchitis: A component of COPD, managed with strategies to reduce airway inflammation and improve mucus clearance.

Pleural Diseases

• Pleural Effusion: Performing diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis to remove fluid and identify underlying conditions like infection, heart failure, or malignancy.
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung - Follow-up Care): Monitoring patients after initial treatment (e.g., chest tube) for a collapsed lung.
• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Treating inflammation of the pleura (the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity), which causes sharp chest pain, especially during breathing.

Interstitial Lung Diseases Ild

• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Diagnosing and treating lung inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled organic dusts, molds, or chemicals.
• Sarcoidosis (Pulmonary Manifestations): Monitoring lung function and managing inflammation in patients with sarcoidosis affecting the lungs.

Lung Infections

• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary): Respiratory assessment and follow-up for patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.
• Pneumonia: Addressing acute lung infections to ensure proper recovery and prevent complications.

This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Roy Richard, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic for more information.

• Comprehensive Respiratory Evaluation: Expert evaluation for various respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest discomfort.
• Management of Pneumonia and Lung Infections: Diagnosis and treatment of various lung infections, including bacterial, viral, and fungal pneumonia, and coordination of follow-up care.
• Chest Imaging Interpretation: Analyzing radiological images to detect signs of infection, inflammation, tumors, or structural lung changes.
• Asthma Management and Education: Ongoing management and support for individuals living with asthma of all severities.
• Bronchiectasis Management: Care for individuals with permanently damaged and widened airways to reduce exacerbations and maintain lung function.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Roy Richard. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any test or treatment depends on individual assessment and referral. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation or speak with your referring physician.

All services by Dr. Eliane Roy Richard adhere to the scope of practice for Pneumologue (Respirologue)s in QC and the standards of The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

At Hôpital regional de Saint-Jerome, the primary aim is to work collaboratively with you to manage your respiratory condition effectively, improve your breathing, and enhance your overall quality of life. Dr. Roy Richard frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• At Dr. Roy Richard's clinic, addressing needing help to quit smoking and improve their lung health means focusing on patient goals. Achieving quitting smoking and improving their overall lung health outlook helps them get back to enjoying life, including being able to enjoying a leisurely walk in the park or around their neighborhood.
• Many patients schedule a consultation with Dr. Roy Richard when they first notice a cough that has lasted for weeks or months and just won't go away. Through personalized respiratory care, the goal is to achieve reduced anxiety related to their breathing difficulties, enabling them to once again enjoy feeling more energetic and less fatigued during the day without hesitation.
• Managing coughing up blood or blood-streaked mucus effectively and proactively is a top priority for Dr. Roy Richard and the medical team. The clear aim is always improved lung function as measured by pulmonary function tests, which directly helps patients get back to enjoying managing their personal care and hygiene independently and their daily routines without severe respiratory hindrance.
• The path to improved respiratory wellness, especially when facing their asthma not being well-controlled, with frequent attacks or need for their rescue inhaler, involves working systematically towards being able to travel or engage in hobbies that were previously limited by breathlessness. Dr. Roy Richard expertly guides patients through this process so they can once again enjoy life's moments, including feeling less anxious about sudden shortness of breath.

Your personalized treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Roy Richard, will be tailored to address your specific respiratory needs and health goals. Dr. Roy Richard is dedicated to providing expert care and empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to achieve their best possible respiratory health.

Dr. Roy Richard practices at Hôpital regional de Saint-Jerome, situated in the Downtown Saint-Jérôme, Saint-Antoine Sector neighborhood of Saint-Jérôme. The clinic is conveniently located near Cégep de Saint-Jérôme and is accessible via exo (Secteur Laurentides - Bus). Patient parking is typically available nearby or on-site.

Can Dr. Roy Richard help manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD?

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Roy Richard are experts in the long-term management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). After a thorough assessment, Dr. Roy Richard develops a personalized management plan. This may include prescribing appropriate inhaler medications (relievers and controllers), educating patients on correct inhaler technique, developing action plans for flare-ups, advising on trigger avoidance, recommending smoking cessation programs, and coordinating pulmonary rehabilitation if beneficial. The goal is to optimize symptom control, reduce exacerbations, improve lung function, and enhance overall quality of life.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Roy Richard at Hôpital regional de Saint-Jerome?

The first visit with Dr. Roy Richard will typically involve a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of the patient's medical history, the nature and timeline of their current respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, wheezing), how these symptoms impact their daily activities, smoking history, environmental exposures, and any previous treatments. Dr. Roy Richard will then perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on the respiratory system (listening to the lungs, observing breathing patterns). Any prior imaging (Chest X-rays, CT scans) or test results (like PFTs) will be reviewed. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Roy Richard will discuss their diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations (like PFTs, sleep study, or bronchoscopy if needed), and will outline potential treatment options, working with the patient to establish health goals.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Roy Richard recommend them?

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a group of non-invasive breathing tests that measure how well the lungs are working. They assess lung volume (how much air the lungs can hold), airflow rates (how quickly air can be moved in and out), and gas exchange (how well oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood). Dr. Roy Richard might recommend PFTs to help diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or to assess the severity of a known lung disease, monitor its progression, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Common PFTs include spirometry, lung volume measurement, and diffusing capacity tests.

What does a Respirologist / Pulmonologist like Dr. Roy Richard do?

A Respirologist (often called a Pulmonologist) like Dr. Roy Richard is a medical doctor (physician) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases and conditions of the lungs and respiratory system. This includes conditions like asthma, COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), pneumonia, lung cancer, sleep apnea, interstitial lung diseases, and pleural diseases. Their goal is to improve respiratory health, alleviate symptoms like shortness of breath and cough, and enhance the quality of life for people with breathing problems. They use various diagnostic tools like pulmonary function tests and bronchoscopy, and treatments including medications, inhalers, oxygen therapy, and management of devices like CPAP machines.

Do I typically need a referral to see a Respirologist (Pulmonologist) like Dr. Roy Richard?

Yes, in QC, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Roy Richard for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Roy Richard has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a respiratory assessment.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Roy Richard covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Roy Richard are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC, provided the patient has a valid health card and appropriate referral. Diagnostic tests like PFTs and bronchoscopies ordered by a specialist are also usually covered. However, some specific treatments, devices (e.g., CPAP machines, some specialized inhalers), or medications may not be fully covered or may have co-payments depending on provincial formularies and private insurance. It's always best for patients to inquire with Hôpital regional de Saint-Jerome about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any.

Hôpital regional de Saint-Jerome
290 rue de Montigny
Saint-Jérôme, QC, J7Z 5T3

Phone: (450) 432-2777

Dr. Eliane Roy Richard is a licensed Pneumologue (Respirologue) in QC, regulated by The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Code des professions & Loi médicale (Québec).

License Number: 16674

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=16674

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is typically required to see Dr. Roy Richard. Dr. Roy Richard and the team are dedicated to providing comprehensive respiratory care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or severe difficulty breathing, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.