Dr. Katherine Labrecque

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

Mental Health Concerns

• Stress-Related Conditions, Burnout & Adjustment Disorders: Providing support, psychoeducation, and coping strategies for managing the physical and emotional impacts of acute or chronic life stressors, workplace burnout, or difficulties adjusting to significant life changes (e.g., bereavement, job loss, relationship changes, illness).
• Depression & Other Mood Disorders (e.g., Dysthymia, Seasonal Affective Disorder - Management): Helping individuals navigate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive symptoms, aiming to restore emotional well-being, daily functioning, and prevent relapse.
• Insomnia & Chronic Sleep Disturbances: Helping you identify and address factors contributing to poor sleep, and develop effective, sustainable strategies to improve sleep quality, duration, and daytime alertness and functioning.
• Initial Assessment & Referral for Other Mental Health Concerns (e.g., OCD, PTSD, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis): Recognizing signs and symptoms of various serious mental health issues and facilitating timely access to the appropriate level of specialist care and support.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Acne Vulgaris (Mild to Moderate) & Rosacea Management: Personalized treatment plans for acne and rosacea based on severity, skin type, patient preference, and potential impact on self-esteem.
• 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.
• Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Evaluating common benign (non-cancerous) skin growths like skin tags (acrochordons), seborrheic keratoses ('age spots'), cherry angiomas, dermatofibromas, epidermal cysts, and lipomas. Providing reassurance regarding their benign nature and offering in-office removal (e.g., cryotherapy, snip excision, curettage, simple excision for cysts/lipomas if trained/equipped) for cosmetic reasons, if causing irritation, or for diagnostic certainty if there's any ambiguity.
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis), Contact Dermatitis & Seborrheic Dermatitis: Comprehensive primary care for common inflammatory skin conditions, aiming to alleviate symptoms, prevent secondary infections, and improve patient comfort and overall skin health.

Preventative Health Topics

• 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.
• Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Discussion & Resource Navigation: Advocating for patients facing health inequities and working to connect them with resources that can improve their overall health outcomes and reduce disparities.
• Comprehensive Lifestyle Counseling (Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Stress Reduction): Providing personalized, evidence-based advice on adopting and maintaining a balanced diet (e.g., Canada's Food Guide, Mediterranean diet, plant-based options), engaging in regular physical activity (aerobic, strength, flexibility - meeting Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines), achieving optimal sleep hygiene, and implementing effective stress management techniques (mindfulness, relaxation) to promote overall health, prevent chronic diseases, and enhance well-being.
• Occupational Health Screening & Advice (Basic Pre-placement, Return-to-Work): Performing basic pre-employment medicals or fitness-for-work assessments as required by some employers (typically non-WCB/WSIB related, fees may apply). Providing advice on general workplace health and safety, injury prevention, and initial assessment of health concerns potentially related to occupational exposures or ergonomics, with appropriate referrals if specialized occupational medicine input is needed.

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

• Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Childhood Illnesses: Diagnosing and treating frequent acute illnesses in children and adolescents, such as ear infections (otitis media), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), common colds, influenza, croup, bronchiolitis, roseola, hand-foot-mouth disease, gastroenteritis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
• Insomnia & Sleep Disorder Management (Primary Care Approach): Helping you identify factors contributing to poor sleep and develop effective, sustainable strategies to improve sleep quality, duration, and daytime functioning.
• Hypertension & Lipid Disorder Management (High Blood Pressure & Cholesterol): Expert care to help you achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol targets, preventing long-term complications like heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
• Ordering & Interpretation of Diagnostic Imaging & Laboratory Testing: Ordering necessary diagnostic tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, bone density scans, and a comprehensive range of laboratory blood tests (hematology, chemistry, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology), urine tests, and pathology/cytology specimens to aid in diagnosis, monitor conditions, and guide treatment.
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management (Early to Moderate Stages): Monitoring kidney function (e.g., eGFR, urine ACR), managing risk factors (especially diabetes and hypertension that can worsen CKD), medication review to avoid nephrotoxic drugs, and coordinating care for patients with early to moderate stage chronic kidney disease to slow progression and prevent complications.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr Labrecque. 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 Médecin de familles in QC and the ethical and professional standards set by The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

At Carrefour santé du Granit, 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 Labrecque frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• For those challenged by wanting to discuss fertility concerns or get initial advice before trying to conceive, Dr Labrecque offers strategies to reach feeling genuinely and consistently supported by Dr Labrecque during emotionally difficult health transitions, when facing a serious or life-altering new diagnosis, or when undertaking the demanding role of caring for an ill or aging family member, which can mean rediscovering the joy of meaningfully and collaboratively contributing to important household decision-making processes, family event planning, or shared domestic responsibilities with clarity and fairness.
• Addressing it being time for their regular comprehensive health check-up and physical exam with Dr Labrecque often leads to having their children's physical growth parameters, crucial cognitive and language development, and social-emotional well-being consistently and meticulously monitored by Dr Labrecque during regular well-child visits, with any emerging concerns or developmental deviations addressed promptly, appropriately, and effectively, enabling patients to more freely engage in regularly engaging in deeply personal spiritual practices, reflective mindfulness exercises, or formal meditation sessions that significantly contribute to their inner peace, emotional balance, stress reduction, and overall holistic well-being.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr Labrecque, 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 Labrecque's practice at Carrefour santé du Granit is situated in a family medical practice in a central Lac Mégantic neighborhood of Lac Mégantic. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance; please observe local signage.

Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Médecin de famille) in QC?

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor in Quebec if that doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging. Provincial resources, such as the website of the Collège des médecins du Québec, may be helpful in your search. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most medical specialists.

How can I find a family doctor (Médecin de famille) in QC who is accepting new patients?

To find a family doctor in Quebec who is accepting new patients, you can check the website of the Collège des médecins du Québec (they often have a "Find a Doctor" tool or similar resource). You can also inquire about provincial programs that assist with finding a family doctor, such as the Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF). Asking friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations is also helpful. Contacting local community health centers or clinics directly is another option. Finding a family doctor may take time and effort.

Is seeing a family doctor (Médecin de famille) covered by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) for eligible residents with a valid provincial health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with Carrefour santé du Granit if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

What should I bring with me to my appointment with Dr Labrecque?

To each appointment with Dr Labrecque at Carrefour santé du Granit, please ensure you have your provincial health card. A current, detailed list of all your medications (name, dose, frequency) is very important. If you're coming about a specific issue and have related reports (like X-rays, specialist letters, or recent lab results), please bring those along. It's also a good idea to jot down any questions or symptoms you want to discuss with Dr Labrecque beforehand so you don't forget anything important during your visit.

What exactly is a family doctor (Médecin de famille) and what is their role?

A family doctor (Médecin de famille) 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.

Carrefour santé du Granit
3569 rue Laval
Lac Mégantic, QC, G6B 1A5

Phone: (819) 583-0330

Dr. Katherine Labrecque is regulated by the Code des professions & Loi médicale (Québec) in QC and is a registered member in good standing with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

Registration Number: 12098

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=12098

Family doctors like Dr Labrecque 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.