Dr. Patrick C. Lai – Family Doctor | Calgary, AB

Dr. Patrick C. Lai is a Family Doctor. Practicing at Foss Sandra Dr in Calgary, AB, he is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. He is registered with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine.

Dr. Lai's 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. He serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Dr. Patrick C. Lai completed his MD Doctor of Medicine (UofC - University of Calgary, 1981). He brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. He has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as comprehensive primary care within family practice. He is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of his practice philosophy include empowering patients through clear communication, comprehensive health education, and fostering active participation in their own health decisions; advocating for patients' needs within the healthcare system and coordinating care effectively with specialists and community services. He is fluent in English and also offers consultations in Cantonese.

Dr. Patrick C. Lai 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

• Insomnia & Chronic Sleep Disturbances: Thoroughly evaluating persistent sleep problems (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, early morning awakening, non-restorative sleep), offering education on optimal sleep hygiene, principles of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or facilitating referrals for it, addressing underlying contributing factors (e.g., anxiety, pain, medications, restless legs syndrome), and judiciously considering short-term medication if necessary.
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Assessment & Management (All Ages): Providing primary care support for individuals and families navigating the challenges of ADHD, helping to optimize focus, reduce impulsivity/hyperactivity, improve executive functioning, and enhance overall quality of life and academic/occupational success.
• Anxiety Disorders (Generalized Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety - Management): Ongoing management and support for anxiety disorders, helping patients develop coping strategies, achieve symptom remission or reduction, and improve overall well-being.
• Stress-Related Conditions, Burnout & Adjustment Disorders: Helping individuals build resilience, develop adaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., problem-solving, relaxation techniques, mindfulness), and navigate stressful periods effectively to protect their mental and physical health.

Adult Common Health Issues

• Anemia (Iron Deficiency, Vitamin B12/Folate Deficiency - Diagnosis & Management): Primary care approach to accurately diagnosing and effectively treating common forms of anemia to improve energy levels, cognitive function, exercise tolerance, and overall health. Referral to hematology for complex or unexplained anemia.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Symptom Management & Monitoring: Assessing and managing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging men commonly due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia (waking at night to urinate), weak or intermittent stream, hesitancy, straining, and incomplete bladder emptying. Assessment involves history, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, digital rectal exam (DRE) to assess prostate size/consistency, urinalysis to rule out UTI, and serum PSA discussion (for prostate cancer screening context).
• Venous Insufficiency & Varicose Veins (Conservative Management & Lifestyle Advice): Primary care support for managing discomfort and preventing complications associated with venous disease. Referral to vascular specialists or phlebologists for more advanced treatments (e.g., sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, surgery) if symptoms are severe, progressive, or complicated by ulceration or recurrent phlebitis.

Joint Muscle Pain

• Gout & Pseudogout (Crystal Arthropathies) - Acute Attack Management & Chronic Prevention Strategies: Providing long-term management strategies for chronic gout to prevent recurrent attacks and complications (e.g., tophi, chronic gouty arthropathy, kidney stones), including detailed lifestyle advice (dietary modifications - reducing purine-rich foods such as red meat/organ meats/shellfish, limiting alcohol especially beer and spirits, avoiding sugary drinks/high-fructose corn syrup; hydration; weight management if overweight/obese) and initiating/managing urate-lowering therapy (ULT) such as allopurinol or febuxostat to achieve and maintain target serum uric acid levels (typically <360 µmol/L or <300 µmol/L if tophi present). Monitoring for medication side effects, adherence, and regular serum uric acid levels.
• 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.
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), Tendinopathies & Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) - Initial Assessment & Conservative Management: A first point of contact for work-related or activity-induced repetitive strain injuries, guiding effective conservative management, facilitating return to function, and providing documentation for workplace accommodations if necessary. Referral to specialists (e.g., sports medicine, orthopedics, physiatry) if symptoms are persistent, severe, or require further investigation/intervention.

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

• 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.
• Smoking & Tobacco Cessation Programs & Support: Dedicated, non-judgmental support for your journey to become smoke-free, improving your immediate and long-term health significantly.
• Assessment & Management of Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders: Ongoing management and support for anxiety and mood disorders, helping patients develop coping strategies, achieve symptom remission or reduction, and improve overall well-being.
• 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.
• Travel Medicine Consultations (Preventative 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 travel-related illnesses.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Lai. 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 Foss Sandra Dr, 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. Lai frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Many seek Dr. Lai's help for their baby needing their scheduled well-baby visit to check growth and get their important vaccinations. The collaborative goal is successfully and confidently navigating the often complex, fragmented, and sometimes overwhelming healthcare system with Dr. Lai acting as their knowledgeable guide, steadfast advocate, and central, reliable coordinator of all their medical care, allowing a return to valued activities like confidently, independently, and effectively managing their diagnosed chronic health conditions (like diabetes, asthma, or hypertension) on a daily basis with minimal disruption to their desired lifestyle and activities, feeling in control.
• Patients experiencing wanting reliable advice and a realistic plan on how to eat healthier, manage their weight better, or start exercising safely often seek Dr. Lai's help to improve their quality of life. A key goal is learning effective, personalized, and evidence-based strategies for managing chronic daily stress, significantly improving their sleep quality and duration, or coping more adaptively and resiliently with life's inevitable challenges and adversities, with tools provided by Dr. Lai, supporting their return to activities like easily and safely being able to kneel down to play on the floor with pets or young children, bend over to tie shoelaces or pick things up, or squat as needed for various daily tasks, gardening, or exercise routines without pain or instability.

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

Dr. Lai's practice is located at Foss Sandra Dr, in the NW: Banff Trail, Capitol Hill, University Heights neighborhood of Calgary. The clinic is conveniently located near GMC Stadium and is accessible via Calgary Transit (CTrain LRT, Bus, BRT). Street parking and nearby public or paid lots typically offer convenient options for visitors.

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.

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

Generally, you do not need a referral to see a family doctor in Alberta if that doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging. Resources like the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta website may be helpful in your search. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most specialists.

What should I do if I have an urgent medical issue when Foss Sandra Dr is closed?

If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. For urgent, non-life-threatening issues that cannot wait until Foss Sandra Dr reopens, you may consider visiting an urgent care centre or a walk-in clinic. Some family health teams or groups offer after-hours on-call services for their registered patients; please check with Foss Sandra Dr or Dr. Lai during regular hours to see if such arrangements are in place for their practice. Our clinic voicemail [(403) 289-1901] may also provide instructions or resources for after-hours care.

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 health card. However, some services, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and may have an associated fee. Please confirm with Foss Sandra Dr if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.

What should I expect during my first 'meet and greet' or new patient intake appointment with Dr. Lai?

Your first appointment with Dr. Lai will involve a review of your medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries, allergies, immunizations, and family health history. He will discuss your current health concerns, medications, and lifestyle habits. A basic physical examination may be performed. This is also a chance to ask questions about his practice and clinic policies.

What if Dr. Lai works in a Family Health Team or group practice? Will I always see Dr. Lai?

Dr. Lai practices as part of a team-based practice, meaning you may have access to other healthcare professionals. While the goal is continuity with Dr. Lai, you might be seen by another team member for some routine matters. The clinic will strive to have you see Dr. Lai for complex or ongoing issues.

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

Finding a family doctor in Alberta who is accepting new patients can take time. Check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta website, ask for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly.

Foss Sandra Dr
810-3630 Brentwood Rd NW
Calgary, AB, T2L 1K8

Phone: (403) 289-1901

Dr. Patrick C. Lai 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: 8347

Verify registration with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=f3043e57-9c94-48b9-be48-f2788dbc16cc&i=809

Family doctors like Dr. Lai 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.