Dr. Maryse Joyal

Dr. Maryse Joyal 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

• Driver's Medical Examinations (Routine, Age-Related, Commercial): Performing comprehensive driver's medicals to ensure individuals meet the health standards necessary for safe vehicle operation, promoting road safety for all.
• Infectious Disease Prevention & Outbreak Management Support (Community Level): Administering vaccinations to prevent communicable diseases and playing a role in community-level surveillance and reporting as required by public health authorities.
• 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.

Dermatological Skin Conditions

• Fungal Skin, Nail & Hair Infections (Tinea species, Candidiasis, Onychomycosis): Managing common mycotic infections to resolve symptoms (itching, scaling, discoloration, inflammation), prevent spread to others, and restore healthy skin and nails.
• Viral Skin Infections (Common Warts, Molluscum Contagiosum, Herpes Simplex, Herpes Zoster/Shingles): Diagnosing and managing common viral skin infections. This includes common/plantar warts and molluscum contagiosum (observation, cryotherapy, topical agents like salicylic acid or cantharidin). For Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV - cold sores/fever blisters, genital herpes): antiviral therapy (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) for acute outbreaks or suppressive therapy for frequent recurrences, plus counseling on transmission. For Herpes Zoster (Shingles): prompt antiviral therapy to reduce severity/duration and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), along with pain management. Shingles vaccination advice for eligible adults.
• 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.

Common Chronic Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus & Prediabetes: Helping you live well with diabetes by providing ongoing education, support for self-management behaviors, access to diabetes education programs, and strategies to prevent or delay long-term complications, empowering you to take control of your health.
• Asthma (All Ages) & Allergic Rhinitis: Developing and regularly reviewing personalized asthma action plans, educating on proper inhaler technique (metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, nebulizers), trigger identification and avoidance (allergens, irritants), medication management (relievers, controllers like inhaled corticosteroids, LABAs, LTRAs), and managing asthma exacerbations to improve breathing, prevent flare-ups, and maintain an active lifestyle. Also includes management of associated allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) & Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Individualized, evidence-based care plans for individuals living with hypertension, focusing on patient education, shared decision-making, and promoting long-term adherence to treatment for optimal cardiovascular health.
• Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's, Nodules): Adjusting thyroid medication based on symptoms and regular blood tests (TSH, free T4, thyroid antibodies) to maintain optimal thyroid function and well-being.

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

• Skin Lesion Assessment, Biopsy & Minor Excisions (Benign Lesions): Differentiating between benign and suspicious skin lesions, with prompt biopsy or referral to dermatology if skin cancer is suspected.
• Stress Management, Burnout & Adjustment Disorder Support: Supportive counseling and problem-solving for stress-related symptoms, promoting well-being and preventing escalation to more severe mental health conditions.
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Risk Assessment & Management: Evaluating risk factors for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, including blood pressure measurement, cholesterol (lipid panel) screening, blood glucose testing, and assessing lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, smoking, family history). Includes initiation of preventative medications if indicated.
• Patient Education on Specific Health Conditions & Self-Management: Ensuring patients and their families understand their medical conditions and treatment plans, encouraging active participation in their own care.
• Well-Child & Well-Adolescent Visits (Growth & Development): Routine check-ups for infants, children, and adolescents to monitor physical growth, cognitive and social-emotional development, and provide anticipatory guidance to parents/guardians.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr Joyal. 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 Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval, 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 Joyal frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Struggling with ongoing digestive issues like persistent heartburn after meals, uncomfortable bloating, or frequent stomach upset? Dr Joyal helps patients target receiving compassionate, understanding, and effective support and strategies from Dr Joyal for managing a spectrum of mental health challenges including persistent anxiety, significant depression, debilitating grief, overwhelming life stress, or initial symptoms of more complex psychiatric conditions, making a return to activities such as adeptly managing daily life stressors, unexpected personal challenges, and demanding professional pressures in a healthy, resilient, constructive, and adaptive way, maintaining emotional equilibrium more achievable.
• If getting a comprehensive skin check for new or changing spots, especially with a history of significant sun exposure or family history of skin cancer is a barrier, Dr Joyal develops strategies aimed at their elderly family member maintaining their cherished independence and dignity for a longer period due to Dr Joyal's comprehensive focus on geriatric syndromes, functional assessment, fall prevention, and medication safety, facilitating the ability to enjoy being able to fully focus on, deeply appreciate, and thoroughly enjoy life's simple, everyday pleasures like listening to favorite music with undivided attention, watching a beautiful sunset in awe, spending quiet, contemplative time in nature, or losing themselves in a captivating book.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr Joyal, 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 Joyal practices at Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval, located in the Sillery, Montcalm neighbourhood of Québec City. The clinic is conveniently located near Laurier Québec (Mall) and is accessible via Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC). Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance; please observe local signage.

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

Finding a family doctor in Quebec who is accepting new patients can be challenging. The Collège des médecins du Québec often has a "Find a Doctor" tool or list on their website. In Quebec, you can also use the Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF). Asking friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations is also helpful. You can also try contacting local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It may take time and persistence.

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 difficult. Provincial resources, such as the GAMF, or the Collège des médecins du Québec website, may be helpful in your search. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see medical specialists.

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 health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and may have associated fees. Please confirm with Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

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

For every appointment with Dr Joyal, please bring your valid Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) card. It is also helpful to bring a list of your current medications (prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements), along with dosages. Any relevant medical records, recent test results, or letters from other doctors can also be useful, especially for your first visit or if you have a specific complex problem. A list of your questions or concerns can also be helpful.

What should I do if I have an urgent medical issue when Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval is closed?

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For urgent, non-life-threatening issues, consider visiting an urgent care centre or a walk-in clinic. Some family health teams offer after-hours on-call services; check with Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval or Dr Joyal during regular hours to see if this is available. Our clinic voicemail [(418) 682-7878] may also provide instructions or resources for after-hours care.

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

Your family doctor (Médecin de famille) is your primary healthcare provider, trained to care for a wide range 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 make referrals to specialists when needed. The continuity of care they provide, understanding your health history and individual needs, is fundamental to effective family medicine.

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

If Dr Joyal determines you need a specialist, she will discuss this with you and initiate a referral. This involves sending a referral letter and your medical information to the specialist's office. Wait times vary. Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval will inform you once the referral is sent, and the specialist's office will usually contact you to schedule an appointment. Follow up if you haven't heard from them within a reasonable timeframe.

Hôpital Saint-Sacrement, Centre de Maladies du Sein du CHU de Québec/ULaval
1050 ch Sainte-Foy
Québec City, QC, G1S 4L8

Phone: (418) 682-7878

Dr. Maryse Joyal 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: 87226

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=87226

Family doctors like Dr Joyal 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.