Dr. François Couture-Villeneuve – Internist / Geriatrician | Alma, QC

Dr. François Couture-Villeneuve is a dedicated Internist / Geriatrician committed to providing comprehensive medical care for adults, with a focus on complex conditions and geriatric health. Practicing in Alma, QC, he serves the surrounding communities, ensuring accessible and compassionate care for his patients. His practice adheres to the high standards set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), emphasizing patient safety, ethical practice, and continuous professional development.

With a medical degree earned in 2012, Dr. Couture-Villeneuve completed extensive post-graduate training in internal medicine and geriatrics, equipping him with specialized skills to manage a wide array of adult health issues. His education and certifications reflect a deep commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in medical practice, enabling him to address complex and multi-systemic conditions with confidence and expertise.

Dr. Couture-Villeneuve’s clinical philosophy is rooted in warmth, respect, and community engagement. He believes in building strong relationships with his patients, understanding their unique life circumstances, and tailoring care to meet their individual goals. Fluent in French, he is dedicated to serving the diverse linguistic community in Alma and the surrounding areas, ensuring clear communication and culturally sensitive care.

Dr. Couture-Villeneuve provides expert care for adults with a wide range of medical conditions, including:

Complex Diagnostic & Multi-System Issues

• Syncope (Fainting) Evaluation: Comprehensive work-up to determine the cause of fainting spells or loss of consciousness.
• Perioperative Medical Optimization: Pre-surgical assessment and management of medical conditions to minimize operative risks and ensure smoother recovery.
• Management of Patients with Multiple Comorbidities: Coordinating care and treatment plans for individuals managing several complex health conditions simultaneously.

Geriatric Syndromes & Focused Elder Care

• Frailty Assessment & Management: Identifying and managing frailty to improve resilience, maintain function, and enhance quality of life in older adults.
• Delirium Prevention & Management: Identifying risk factors for delirium (acute confusion) in hospitalized or ill older adults and implementing management strategies.
• Falls, Mobility & Balance Disorders: Multifactorial assessment to identify causes of falls and gait instability; implementation of prevention strategies.

Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders

• Calcium and Parathyroid Disorders: Evaluation and management of conditions related to abnormal calcium levels and parathyroid gland function.
• Thyroid Disorders: Management of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and other thyroid conditions.
• Adrenal Gland Disorders: Diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the adrenal glands, such as adrenal insufficiency.

Dr. Couture-Villeneuve manages a wide range of complex adult and geriatric health conditions. This list highlights common areas of focus. If your condition is not listed, please note that internal medicine specialists address diverse and often multi-systemic diseases. Consultation is typically initiated via referral from your primary care physician.

• Management of Acute Medical Issues (Inpatient Focus): Diagnosis and treatment of serious acute illnesses requiring hospital admission (often a primary role in hospital settings).
• Second Opinion Consultations: Providing an independent expert review and opinion on complex diagnoses or treatment plans.
• Management of Geriatric Syndromes: Specialized care for common age-related conditions including falls, frailty, cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium), polypharmacy, urinary incontinence, and malnutrition.
• Medication Review and Optimization (Deprescribing): Systematic review of all medications (polypharmacy) to ensure appropriateness, minimize side effects and interactions, and deprescribe unnecessary drugs.
• Internal Medicine Consultation for Primary Care: Providing specialist opinion and management recommendations to family physicians for complex adult patient cases.

Note: This list represents some of the key services offered by Dr. Couture-Villeneuve. As a specialist in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, he provides comprehensive diagnostic and management services. For specific inquiries about whether your condition falls within Dr. Couture-Villeneuve's scope of practice, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

Dr. Couture-Villeneuve’s practice is situated near the central Alma neighborhood of Alma, within the facilities of Hôpital d'Alma, part of the CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean network. The location is conveniently accessible from local points of interest, including the downtown area and nearby residential neighborhoods. Public transit options serve the hospital, making it easy for patients to reach appointments without personal vehicles. The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfort and ease of access for all patients. Parking is available at the facility.

How is payment handled for appointments with Dr. Couture-Villeneuve? Is it covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)?

In QC, medical consultations with specialists like Dr. Couture-Villeneuve are typically covered by your provincial health insurance (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)) when you present a valid health card and have the required referral. You generally do not pay directly for the consultation service itself. Some specific procedures, forms, or administrative tasks might not be covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and may incur a separate fee according to provincial guidelines. Please inquire if you have questions about uninsured services.

Can I book an appointment directly or do I absolutely need a referral?

A referral from your family physician or another medical specialist is required to see Dr. Couture-Villeneuve. As experts in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, Internists and Geriatricians see patients based on specific medical questions posed by the referring doctor. This ensures continuity of care and that the consultation is appropriate for your needs. Please have your doctor forward the referral information.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring:

• Your provincial health card (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card).
• The referral letter if you have it.
• A complete list of ALL your current medications (prescriptions, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbs), including doses. Bringing the actual bottles/packaging is often very helpful.
• A list of your past medical history, surgeries, and known allergies.
• Any relevant medical reports, lab results, or imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI) reports you possess.
• A list of your specific questions or concerns for Dr. Couture-Villeneuve.

Does Dr. Couture-Villeneuve discuss goals of care or advance care planning?

Yes, discussing goals of care is an important part of patient-centered practice, especially in managing chronic illness or in geriatric care. Dr. Couture-Villeneuve encourages conversations about patient values, preferences for future medical treatment, and advance care planning (including identifying a substitute decision-maker) to ensure care aligns with what matters most to the patient. He can provide information and facilitate these discussions.

Hôpital d'Alma CIUSSS Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
300 boul Champlain S, CP 1300
Alma, QC G8B 5W3

Phone: (418) 669-2000 | Fax: (418) 662-8635

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Couture-Villeneuve is a licensed physician regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Medical Act in QC. Patients are typically seen by referral from their primary care physician.

Verify registration with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=12072