Dr. Joan Smith

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

Preventative Health Topics

• Weight Management & Obesity Prevention/Treatment: Supporting individuals in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight through non-stigmatizing, patient-centered approaches that focus on sustainable lifestyle habits, improved metabolic health, and overall well-being rather than solely on rapid weight loss or restrictive dieting.
• 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.
• Comprehensive Lifestyle Counseling (Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Stress Reduction): Supporting your efforts to adopt and maintain healthier habits across multiple domains of life for a better quality of life, increased resilience, and proactive disease prevention through shared goal setting and ongoing support.

Common Acute Conditions

• 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.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs - Cystitis, Pyelonephritis - uncomplicated initial): Management of bladder and kidney infections with appropriate antibiotics based on likely pathogens and local resistance patterns, along with advice on prevention strategies for recurrent UTIs and symptom relief.
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs - Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis): Care for acute respiratory illnesses, including advice on symptom management, appropriate use of antibiotics (only if bacterial infection is confirmed or highly suspected), and guidance on when to seek further medical attention for complications.

Common Chronic Conditions

• Osteoarthritis & Other Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (e.g., Chronic Back/Neck Pain, Fibromyalgia): Managing chronic pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis in various joints (knees, hips, hands, spine), persistent mechanical low back or neck pain, and conditions like fibromyalgia. This involves a multimodal approach including education, exercise recommendations (strength, flexibility, low-impact aerobics), weight management, pain relief medications (topical, oral NSAIDs, acetaminophen, judicious use of other analgesics like gabapentinoids or TCAs for neuropathic/fibromyalgia components), joint injection considerations, and referrals to physiotherapy, rheumatology or pain clinics if needed.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Primary Care Management: Helping individuals understand and manage their IBS symptoms to improve digestive comfort and quality of life.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD - Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis): Helping individuals with chronic bronchitis or emphysema manage their symptoms effectively, improve exercise tolerance, and maintain the best possible lung function through a multidisciplinary approach.

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

• Acne Vulgaris & Rosacea Management: Personalized treatment plans for acne and rosacea based on severity and skin type.
• Assessment of Acute Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Vomiting & Diarrhea: First-line medical assessment for sudden gastrointestinal issues to guide treatment and rule out emergent conditions.
• Eating Disorder Screening & Referral Coordination: Primary care role in early recognition of eating disorders and ensuring patients access comprehensive treatment pathways.
• Evaluation of Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries (Sprains, Strains): Assessing acute injuries like ankle sprains, muscle strains (e.g., hamstring, quadriceps), and ligament injuries, providing advice on RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), pain control, and determining the need for imaging or specialist referral.
• Coordination with Allied Health Professionals & Community Health Services: Referring to and collaborating effectively with other healthcare providers integral to comprehensive care, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, chiropractors, pharmacists, optometrists, audiologists, and various community support services (e.g., home care, mental health teams, diabetes education programs, addiction services, public health units).

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Smith. 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. Joan Smith'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. Smith frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Dr. Smith frequently helps patients who are dealing with joint pain in their knees, hips, or hands that's been getting worse and making movement difficult. The primary aim is achieving feeling deeply understood, consistently validated, and never dismissed by Dr. Smith when discussing sensitive, personal, or emotionally difficult health topics or life circumstances, which often allows them to confidently resume feeling profoundly secure, deeply supported, and well-understood in having a trusted, accessible, and long-term medical advisor and health partner in Dr. Smith for any and all health questions, new symptoms, or emerging concerns that arise throughout their lives.
• Dr. Smith supports patients through needing advice on managing their child's ADHD medication or school accommodations, aiming for outcomes like successfully managing their multiple (often complex) medications with significantly fewer side effects, demonstrably better adherence to the prescribed regimen, and a much clearer understanding of each medication's specific purpose, benefits, and potential interactions, thanks to Dr. Smith's careful oversight, so they can return to activities such as 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.

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

Dr. Smith's practice is located at a family medical clinic in Viking, situated in a family medical practice in the central Viking neighborhood of Viking. 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.

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

A family doctor, often called a general practitioner (GP), is a medical doctor specializing in comprehensive primary healthcare for individuals and families across all ages and life stages. They serve as your first point of contact for most health concerns, offering preventative care (like check-ups, immunizations, and health screenings), diagnosing and treating acute illnesses (such as infections or minor injuries), managing chronic conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma), providing mental health support, and coordinating your care by referring you to specialists when necessary. A key aspect of their role is building long-term relationships with patients to promote overall health and well-being.

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 provincial health card. 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.

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 take time and be challenging.

What is 'continuity of care' and why is it important with a family doctor like Dr. Smith?

Continuity of care means your family doctor, Dr. Smith, sees you for your health needs on an ongoing basis. This allows Dr. Smith to become familiar with your medical history and lifestyle, leading to quicker diagnoses, more effective treatment, and better coordination of care. It's about having a trusted healthcare partner.

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

Generally, you don't need a referral to see a family doctor if they are accepting new patients. However, finding one can be difficult. Provincial resources may help. A referral is usually needed to see specialists.

How do I get a prescription refilled by Dr. Smith?

For most refills, contact your pharmacy at least 5-7 days before you run out of medication. Your pharmacy can fax a refill request to Dr. Smith's office. Allow 2-3 business days for processing. For certain medications or if it has been a while since your last visit, an appointment may be needed.

PO Box 810, 5110 57 AVE
Viking, AB, T0B 4N0

Phone: (780) 336-4780

Dr. Joan Smith 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: 034619

Verify registration with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=325b2739-75b3-4fa2-891f-6bf86cc38b93&i=1358

Family doctors like Dr. Smith 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.