Dr. Martine Ducharme

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

Common Chronic Conditions

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Primary Care Management: Helping individuals understand and manage their IBS symptoms to improve digestive comfort and quality of life.
• Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides): Working collaboratively with you to achieve optimal cholesterol and triglyceride levels to significantly reduce your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and pancreatitis.
• Anemia (Iron Deficiency, B12/Folate Deficiency - Chronic): Diagnosing and providing ongoing treatment for common forms of anemia to maintain energy levels and overall health.

Mental Health Concerns

• Depression & Other Mood Disorders (e.g., Dysthymia, Seasonal Affective Disorder - Management): Providing compassionate, evidence-informed primary care and management strategies for those affected by depression and other common mood disorders, with a focus on recovery and long-term stability.
• 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.
• 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).

Pediatric Common Issues

• Well-Baby & Well-Child Check-ups (Growth, Development, Nutrition, Safety): Ensuring your child meets key developmental stages according to age, receives all recommended preventative health screenings (e.g., vision, hearing, anemia, lead - as per guidelines), and appropriate immunizations in a timely manner.
• Common Childhood Infections (Viral & Bacterial - Ear, Throat, Chest, Skin, GI): Diagnosing and treating frequent acute illnesses in children, such as otitis media (ear infections), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat - with rapid testing if available), common colds and influenza, croup, bronchiolitis, roseola, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and common skin infections (impetigo, cellulitis - mild).
• Childhood Immunization Schedule Management & Counseling: Providing timely and safe immunizations, addressing parental questions or concerns about vaccines with evidence-based information and empathy, managing catch-up schedules if needed, and documenting all immunizations accurately.
• Developmental, Behavioral & Learning Concerns in Children (Screening, Initial Assessment, Guidance & Referral Coordination): A first point of contact and trusted resource for parents with concerns about a child's learning, behavior, social interaction, or overall development, offering support, resources, advocacy, and clear pathways to specialized care and school-based supports.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Mechanical Low Back & Neck Pain (Acute, Subacute, Chronic - Uncomplicated): Assessment and management of non-specific (mechanical) low back pain and neck pain, which accounts for the majority of spinal pain presentations. This includes taking a thorough history, performing a focused physical examination to rule out 'red flag' conditions (e.g., fracture, infection, malignancy, cauda equina syndrome), providing reassurance about the generally favorable prognosis of acute pain, and advising on pain relief (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, short-term muscle relaxants if severe spasm), maintaining activity as tolerated (avoiding prolonged bed rest), heat/cold application, and self-care strategies. For subacute or chronic pain, emphasis on active therapies (exercise, physiotherapy referral), addressing psychosocial factors (yellow flags), and promoting functional restoration.
• Fibromyalgia & Other Widespread Chronic Pain Syndromes - Primary Care Diagnosis & Multimodal Management: Working collaboratively with individuals experiencing chronic widespread pain to develop personalized self-management strategies, set realistic functional goals, and coordinate care effectively with other healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and rheumatologists (for diagnostic confirmation or complex cases).
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) - Diagnosis, Management & Monitoring (Often with Rheumatology Co-Management): Recognizing the characteristic clinical presentation of Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) in older adults (typically age >50 years) – symmetrical morning stiffness and aching in the shoulders, neck, and pelvic girdle – often associated with significantly elevated inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP). Initiating treatment with low-dose corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone 12.5-25 mg daily) which usually results in a rapid and dramatic improvement in symptoms, thus supporting the diagnosis. Vigilantly screening for and differentiating from Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA/Temporal Arteritis), which can co-exist with PMR (or occur independently) and requires urgent higher-dose steroid therapy and specialist (rheumatology/ophthalmology) referral to prevent irreversible vision loss.

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

• Joint Injections for Pain Relief (e.g., Corticosteroid - if trained/equipped): Performing therapeutic joint injections (e.g., corticosteroid injections) for certain conditions like osteoarthritis, bursitis, or tendinitis in specific joints (e.g., knee, shoulder) to reduce pain and inflammation, if appropriately trained and equipped.
• Chronic Respiratory Disease Care (Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis): Providing ongoing care for individuals with asthma or COPD to optimize symptom control, reduce frequency of flare-ups, and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life.
• Assessment & Management of Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders: Supporting individuals experiencing persistent worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, low mood, loss of interest, or other mood disturbances with a patient-centered and collaborative approach.
• Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Childhood Illnesses: Expert management of a wide spectrum of acute illnesses affecting infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers, including appropriate antibiotic stewardship.
• Assessment of Acute Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Vomiting & Diarrhea: Evaluating acute abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation to determine potential causes (e.g., gastroenteritis, food poisoning, appendicitis, diverticulitis), provide appropriate management for symptom relief and hydration, or facilitate urgent referral if a serious condition is suspected.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr Ducharme. 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 CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants, 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 Ducharme frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Many seek Dr Ducharme's help for a follow-up for a recent concussion to ensure they are recovering properly. The collaborative goal is gaining a much clearer and personalized understanding of their individual health risks (e.g., cardiovascular disease based on Framingham score, inherited cancer predispositions, osteoporosis risk) and practical, actionable, evidence-based steps they can realistically take to mitigate these risks effectively, allowing a return to valued activities like consistently keeping all appointments for essential preventative dental care, vision checks, hearing tests, and other important allied health services as part of a comprehensive approach to their overall health maintenance.
• If needing advice on managing their child's ADHD medication or school accommodations is preventing you from graciously hosting enjoyable social gatherings, dinner parties, or casual get-togethers for friends, colleagues, and family members in their home, feeling comfortable, energetic, and capable as a host, Dr Ducharme can help. The aim is to achieve having their specific concerns about a child's unique developmental trajectory, learning style, or challenging behavior addressed by Dr Ducharme with appropriate, validated screening tools, initial guidance, and highly effective, timely referrals to specialists or community programs when indicated through personalized family medicine care.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr Ducharme, 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 Ducharme's practice at CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants, is situated in a family medical practice in central Saint-Eustache neighborhood of Saint-Eustache. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Street parking and nearby public or paid lots typically offer convenient options for visitors.

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

The recommended frequency for check-ups or periodic health exams with Dr Ducharme can vary based on your age, overall health, any existing medical conditions, and specific risk factors. Generally, healthy younger adults may need a full check-up less frequently (e.g., every 2-5 years if no concerns), while children, older adults (e.g., annually over 65), or individuals with chronic conditions may benefit from more frequent visits (e.g., annually or semi-annually). For specific screening tests like Pap smears or mammograms, there are established provincial guidelines based on age and gender which Dr Ducharme follows. It's best to discuss your individual needs with Dr Ducharme to determine an appropriate schedule for your preventative care. Even if you feel healthy, regular check-ins can be important for early detection and health maintenance.

Does Dr Ducharme at CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants offer virtual (video) or phone appointments?

Yes, Dr Ducharme at CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants offers virtual (video) and/or phone appointments for certain types of consultations when clinically appropriate. These can be convenient for discussing some test results, managing stable chronic conditions, prescription renewals for ongoing medications (not controlled substances), or for certain mental health follow-ups. However, many conditions, new problems, or situations requiring a physical examination will still necessitate an in-person visit for accurate assessment and diagnosis. Please discuss with our reception staff or Dr Ducharme if a virtual appointment might be suitable for your specific needs. Provincial health plan coverage for virtual visits may vary; please check with CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants regarding any potential fees for uninsured virtual services.

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

Having continuity of care with Dr Ducharme means that she is your consistent point of contact for your health needs over many years. This long-term relationship allows Dr Ducharme to understand the nuances of your health, track changes over time, and provide care that is personalized and proactive. It improves communication, reduces duplication of tests, helps in managing chronic conditions more effectively, and fosters a stronger doctor-patient partnership, all leading to better overall health management.

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. 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. Confirm with CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

What exactly is a family doctor (Médecin de famille) 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. She serves 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 her role is building long-term relationships with patients to promote overall health and well-being.

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

Generally, you don't need a referral to see a family doctor if they are accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor accepting new patients can be challenging. Provincial resources or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec may be helpful. A referral *is* usually required from a family doctor to see most medical specialists.

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

Check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec website for a 'Find a Doctor' tool. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Contact local community health centres or new patient clinics. It may take time to find a doctor.

What happens if Dr Ducharme determines I need to see a medical specialist?

If Dr Ducharme determines you need a specialist, she will discuss this with you and initiate a referral. She will send a referral letter to the specialist. Wait times vary. The staff at CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants will inform you once the referral is sent. The specialist's office will usually contact you to schedule an appointment. Follow up with CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants if you haven't heard from the specialist within a reasonable timeframe.

CLSC Jean-Olivier Chénier, Service médicaux courants
29 ch d'Oka
Saint-Eustache, QC, J7R 1K6

Phone: (450) 491-1233

Dr. Martine Ducharme 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: 88438

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=88438

Family doctors like Dr Ducharme 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.