Description
About Dr. Williams
Dr. Ross Douglas Williams is a Family Doctor. Practicing at a family doctor practice in Prince George, BC, he is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. He 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. He focuses on 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. Ross Douglas Williams completed his MD (University of British Columbia, 2018). He brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. He holds Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). 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; a dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion, aiming to identify risks early and support patients in maintaining long-term wellness. He provides consultations in English.
Common Health Concerns Addressed by Dr. Ross Douglas Williams
Dr. Ross Douglas Williams 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
- Osteoarthritis & Other Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain (e.g., Chronic Back/Neck Pain, Fibromyalgia): Long-term support and care for managing the symptoms of degenerative joint disease and other chronic musculoskeletal pain, focusing on self-management and maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides): Personalized treatment plans for managing elevated lipid levels, incorporating regular monitoring, patient education, and strategies for long-term cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) & Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Comprehensive, ongoing management of high blood pressure through regular monitoring (in-clinic and home BP), medication initiation and titration according to guidelines, extensive lifestyle counseling (DASH diet, low sodium, exercise, weight management, stress reduction), and screening/management of associated risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia, diabetes) to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.
Dermatological Skin Conditions
- Benign Skin Lesion Assessment & Management (Skin Tags, Seborrheic Keratoses, Cysts, Lipomas): Primary care management of common, non-cancerous skin lesions, including reassurance and simple removal procedures where appropriate and within scope.
- Bacterial Skin Infections (Impetigo, Folliculitis, Cellulitis - uncomplicated): Diagnosis and treatment of common superficial bacterial skin infections such as impetigo (honey-crusted lesions), folliculitis (infected hair follicles), and uncomplicated cellulitis (localized skin infection with redness, warmth, swelling, pain) or erysipelas. Management includes topical antibiotics (e.g., mupirocin, fusidic acid) for localized infections or oral antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin, cloxacillin, clindamycin) for more extensive or systemic involvement. Advice on wound care and hygiene.
- 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.
Common Acute Conditions
- Gastrointestinal Infections (Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning): Helping you cope with acute digestive illnesses by providing guidance on oral rehydration solutions, appropriate diet modification during and after illness, and when to seek medical attention for persistent or severe symptoms.
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs - Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis): Care for acute respiratory illnesses, including advice on symptom management, appropriate use of antibiotics (only if bacterial infection is confirmed or highly suspected), and guidance on when to seek further medical attention for complications.
- Common Acute Skin Conditions (Rashes, Infections, Bites, Minor Burns): Addressing sudden onset skin problems, providing effective treatment, advising on skin care and hygiene to promote healing, and identifying potential triggers for allergic or irritant conditions.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs - Cystitis, Pyelonephritis - uncomplicated initial): Management of bladder and kidney infections with appropriate antibiotics based on likely pathogens and local resistance patterns, along with advice on prevention strategies for recurrent UTIs and symptom relief.
Mental Health Concerns
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Assessment & Management (All Ages): A comprehensive and collaborative approach to ADHD care, addressing core symptoms and associated impairments across the lifespan, often involving a multidisciplinary team approach.
- Initial Assessment & Referral for Other Mental Health Concerns (e.g., OCD, PTSD, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis): Providing a safe and confidential first point of contact for individuals experiencing symptoms suggestive of other mental health conditions like Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or early psychosis. Includes initial screening, supportive listening, crisis intervention if needed, risk assessment, and prompt, appropriate referral to specialized psychiatric, psychological, or emergency mental health services for accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
- 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.
- Stress-Related Conditions, Burnout & Adjustment Disorders: Supportive counseling and practical guidance for stress-related symptoms and adjustment disorders, promoting well-being and preventing escalation to more severe mental health conditions.
This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Williams. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.
Dr. Ross Douglas Williams's Family Medicine Services
- Osteoporosis Screening, Prevention & Management: Helping patients reduce their risk of fragility fractures through comprehensive bone health management.
- 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.
- 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.
- Immunizations & Vaccinations (Infant, Child, Adult, Travel): Administering a full range of routine childhood and adult immunizations, booster shots (e.g., tetanus, pertussis), seasonal flu vaccines, and common travel vaccinations (e.g., Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid) to protect against preventable infectious diseases.
- Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Infections (Respiratory, Urinary, Skin, GI): Assessing and treating acute conditions like common colds, influenza (flu), sore throats (including strep throat), ear infections (otitis media), sinus infections, bronchitis, uncomplicated pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), skin infections (e.g., cellulitis, impetigo), and gastroenteritis.
Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Williams. 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).
Partnering in Your Health: Achieving Your Goals with Dr. Williams
At Dr. Ross Douglas Williams'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. Williams frequently works with patients towards goals such as:
- With Dr. Williams's care, managing a cut that looks red, swollen, and might be infected aims for seeing tangible and encouraging improvements in their important biomedical markers and lab results, such as normalized blood sugar levels (HbA1c), optimal LDL cholesterol and triglyceride profiles, well-controlled blood pressure readings, or improved kidney function tests, reflecting better disease management with Dr. Williams, empowering patients to get back to what they love, like confidently and independently taking various modes of public transportation (bus, train, subway) when needed for commuting or leisure, without excessive physical difficulty, navigation challenges, or heightened anxiety about accessibility or safety.
- Dr. Williams often sees patients whose wanting to create a healthier home environment for their family's well-being limits their enjoyment of possessing the physical stamina and mental resilience to complete a full, demanding day of sightseeing, museum visits, or participation in workshops and conferences while on vacation or during business travel. The goal of care is to achieve feeling a genuine, strong, and enduring sense of partnership and close collaboration with Dr. Williams in working consistently and effectively towards their mutually agreed-upon, meaningful health goals and overall state of well-being and restore their active lifestyle.
- Dr. Williams assists individuals in navigating unexplained significant weight loss or gain that needs to be investigated by a doctor. A successful outcome, like feeling significantly more comfortable, markedly less anxious, and substantially more trusting about visiting the doctor and engaging with the healthcare system due to the consistently positive, supportive, and long-standing therapeutic relationship they have established with Dr. Williams, means they can get back to generously volunteering their valuable time, unique skills, and boundless energy in their local community for causes they deeply believe in, feeling consistently healthy, capable, and motivated enough to contribute meaningfully and make a real difference.
Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Williams, 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.
Clinic Location & Accessibility
Dr. Williams practices at a family medical clinic in Prince George, situated in the West Prince George, College Heights neighborhood of Prince George. The clinic is conveniently located near CN Centre (Arena) and is accessible via the Prince George Transit System (BC Transit). Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance; please observe local signage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Medicine with Dr. Williams in Prince George
- What should I do if I have an urgent medical issue when the clinic 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 our clinic 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 our clinic or Dr. Williams during regular hours to see if such arrangements are in place for their practice. Our clinic voicemail [(250) 565-2000] may also provide instructions or resources for after-hours care.
- What should I expect during my first 'meet and greet' or new patient intake appointment with Dr. Williams?
- When you first meet Dr. Williams as a new patient, expect to spend time discussing your complete health profile. He will likely ask about your past medical history, significant family illnesses, all current medications (including vitamins and supplements), allergies, lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, and any specific health concerns or goals you have. This comprehensive intake helps Dr. Williams understand your overall health status and begin to formulate a long-term care plan. It's also an excellent time to ask any questions you may have about his approach to medicine or clinic procedures.
- 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 in BC if the doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging. You may find it helpful to use resources such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC website or your local health authority website. A referral from a family doctor is usually required to see most medical specialists.
- How do I get a prescription refilled by Dr. Williams?
- For most prescription refills, please contact your pharmacy first, at least 5-7 days before you run out of medication. Your pharmacy can often fax a refill request directly to Dr. Williams's office. Please allow at least 2-3 business days for these requests to be processed by Dr. Williams. For certain medications (e.g., narcotics, controlled substances, or medications requiring close monitoring), or if it has been a while since your last review with Dr. Williams, an appointment will be required to assess your condition and ensure the medication is still appropriate and at the correct dose. It is always best to request refills proactively.
- 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, such as cosmetic procedures or travel medicine consultations, may not be covered and may have an associated fee. Please confirm with our clinic if you have questions about specific services.
- What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?
- Your family doctor (in British Columbia) 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.
- How can I find a family doctor (Family Doctor) in BC who is accepting new patients?
- Finding a family doctor in BC who is accepting new patients can be challenging. You can check the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, which may have a "Find a Doctor" tool. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly.
Contact & Licensing Information for Dr. Ross Douglas Williams
1475 Edmonton St, University Hospital of Northern British Columbia
Prince George, BC, V2M 1S2
Phone: (250) 565-2000
Dr. Ross Douglas Williams 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: 22540
Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/345332/Williams%2CRoss
Family doctors like Dr. Williams 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.