Dr. Julian Fung – Family Doctor | Richmond, BC

Dr. Julian Fung is a Family Doctor. Practicing at a family doctor practice in Richmond, BC, she is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. She is registered with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine. Her 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. She serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Julian Fung completed her MD (University of British Columbia, 1995). She brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. She holds Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). She has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as comprehensive primary 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 a dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion, aiming to identify risks early and support patients in maintaining long-term wellness; fostering continuity of care and building long-term relationships with patients and their families, providing a trusted medical home; a strong belief in patient-centered care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, values, and circumstances. She provides consultations in English.

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

Joint Muscle Pain

• Gout & Pseudogout (Crystal Arthropathies) - Acute Attack Management & Chronic Prevention Strategies: Providing effective treatment for acutely painful crystal-induced arthritis, focusing on rapid symptom relief during flares, and implementing robust long-term preventative measures for chronic gout to improve joint health and overall well-being.
• Fibromyalgia & Other Widespread Chronic Pain Syndromes - Primary Care Diagnosis & Multimodal Management: A supportive, holistic, and patient-centered primary care approach to helping individuals manage the complex and often debilitating symptoms of fibromyalgia (widespread pain, profound fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction - 'fibro fog', mood disturbances), aiming to improve daily function, reduce pain interference, and enhance overall quality of life.
• 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).
• 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.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Fungal Skin, Nail & Hair Infections (Tinea species, Candidiasis, Onychomycosis): Diagnosis (clinical, skin scraping/KOH preparation, fungal culture if needed) and treatment of common superficial fungal infections including tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea capitis (scalp ringworm - requires oral therapy), tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor), cutaneous candidiasis (e.g., intertrigo, diaper rash), and onychomycosis (fungal nail infections). Treatment involves topical antifungal creams/lotions/shampoos (e.g., clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole) or oral antifungal medications (e.g., terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole) for more extensive, resistant, or nail/hair infections.
• 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.
• Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Differentiating between benign and potentially suspicious skin lesions is a key role, with prompt biopsy or referral to dermatology if any features suggest skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma).

Preventative Health Topics

• Travel Medicine Advice & Routine/Travel Vaccinations: Offering essential travel health services and tailored advice to protect your health while abroad, based on current international health regulations, CDC/WHO recommendations, and your specific travel plans.
• Occupational Health Screening & Advice (Basic Pre-placement, Return-to-Work): Guidance on maintaining health in the context of specific work environments and job demands, and initial evaluation for common work-related health issues.
• Weight Management & Obesity Prevention/Treatment: Personalized advice and comprehensive care plans for healthy weight loss, prevention of unhealthy weight gain, or management of obesity and its related health conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, certain cancers).

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

• Referrals to Medical Specialists, Subspecialists & Specialized Programs: Facilitating timely and appropriate referrals to a wide range of medical specialists (e.g., cardiologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, oncologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, surgeons, etc.), subspecialists, and specialized diagnostic or treatment programs when specialized expertise or intervention is required beyond the scope of primary care.
• Insomnia & Sleep Disorder Management (Primary Care Approach): Comprehensive management of common sleep disorders to restore restorative sleep patterns and improve overall health and alertness.
• Hospital Discharge Follow-Up & Transitions of Care Management: Providing prompt and comprehensive follow-up care after hospital stays, emergency room visits, or specialist procedures to ensure a smooth and safe transition back to the community. This includes medication reconciliation, review of discharge summaries and specialist reports, management of ongoing issues, addressing any new concerns, and coordination of any further treatment, rehabilitation, or home care services.
• Ordering & Interpretation of Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory Testing: Interpreting test results in the context of your overall clinical picture, discussing their implications with you clearly, and arranging appropriate follow-up or further investigation.
• 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.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Fung. 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 BC and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

At Dr. Julian Fung'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. Fung frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• For patients where pain, numbness, or tingling in their hands or wrists that might be carpal tunnel syndrome from computer work is a concern, Dr. Fung focuses on plans that lead to having their complex chronic condition, such as advanced type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, difficult-to-control asthma, or multi-joint osteoarthritis, effectively managed and well-stabilized through a collaborative, evidence-based plan developed with Dr. Fung, supporting their ability to diligently learning a new foreign language, mastering a complex musical instrument, or developing a sophisticated artistic skill that requires significant focus, patience, dexterity, and long-term dedication.
• For many individuals, getting a comprehensive skin check for new or changing spots, especially with a history of significant sun exposure or family history of skin cancer can be a real barrier. Dr. Fung's approach focuses on 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, making it possible for patients to once again enjoy confidently travelling domestically for weekend getaways or internationally for extended explorations with greater assurance in their health, stamina, and ability to manage new foods, climates, and environments successfully.
• It's rewarding for Dr. Fung to see patients with a persistent metallic taste in their mouth or other unusual sensory changes achieve having all their health-related questions, no matter how complex or basic, answered clearly, patiently, without jargon, and in an easily understandable way by Dr. Fung, fostering a strong sense of health literacy and shared understanding and return to important activities like being physically and emotionally able to consistently attend and meaningfully participate in important community gatherings, significant religious or spiritual services, and culturally relevant events that foster a sense of belonging and connection.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Fung, 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. Fung practices at a family medical clinic in Richmond, situated in the West Richmond (Terra Nova, Thompson) neighborhood of Richmond. The clinic is conveniently located near Aberdeen Centre and is accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Canada Line, Bus). Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.

Can Dr. Fung help with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression?

Family doctors like Dr. Fung are integral to supporting patients' mental health. She can assess symptoms of common mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD - initial screen), offer initial treatment options including counseling and medication if suitable, and connect you with more specialized mental health professionals or resources within the community if your needs are more complex. Your overall well-being, both physical and mental, is important to Dr. Fung.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC in BC?

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

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

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC 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 BC?

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor if they are accepting new patients. However, finding one who is accepting new patients can be challenging. Provincial resources or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC may be helpful in your search. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most medical specialists.

How often should I see Dr. Fung for a check-up or physical exam?

The recommended frequency for check-ups varies based on your age, overall health, medical conditions, and risk factors. Generally, healthy younger adults may need less frequent check-ups (e.g., every 2-5 years if no concerns), while children, older adults (e.g., annually over 65), or those with chronic conditions may benefit from more frequent visits (e.g., annually or semi-annually). Dr. Fung follows established provincial guidelines for specific screening tests. Discuss your individual needs with Dr. Fung to determine an appropriate schedule.

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

Your family doctor (BC) is your primary healthcare provider, expertly trained to care for a wide spectrum of health issues, from newborns to seniors. They manage acute illnesses and injuries, oversee the care of long-term chronic diseases, provide routine health screenings and lifestyle counseling, administer vaccinations, and ensure you get access to specialized medical services through referrals when needed. The continuity of care they provide, understanding your health history and individual needs, is fundamental to effective family medicine.

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

Continuity of care means your family doctor, Dr. Fung, sees you for your health needs on an ongoing basis. This consistency is valuable because Dr. Fung becomes familiar with your medical background, lifestyle, and what's 'normal' for you. This knowledge aids in quicker diagnosis, more effective treatment plans, better chronic disease management, and ensures your care is well-coordinated. It's about having a trusted healthcare partner throughout your life.

160-6111 River Rd, Richmond Oval B
Richmond, BC, V7C 0A2

Phone: (604) 821-1112

Dr. Julian Fung is regulated by the Health Professions Act (British Columbia) in BC and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

Registration Number: 25066

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/312903/Fung%2CJulian

Family doctors like Dr. Fung 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.