Description
About Dr. Hutchison
Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison is a Family Doctor. Practicing at a family doctor practice in Kamloops, 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. His 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. Stephen Keith Hutchison completed his MD (University of Alberta, 1987). 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 a holistic approach to health, considering the physical, mental, emotional, and social factors that influence a patient's well-being; advocating for patients' needs within the healthcare system and coordinating care effectively with specialists and community services; a strong belief in patient-centered care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, values, and circumstances. He provides consultations in English.
Common Health Concerns Addressed by Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison
Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison 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
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD - Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis): Helping individuals with chronic bronchitis or emphysema manage their symptoms effectively, improve exercise tolerance, and maintain the best possible lung function through a multidisciplinary approach.
- 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: Comprehensive care for individuals with asthma and related allergies, focusing on patient empowerment, self-management skills, and emergency preparedness for asthma attacks.
Common Acute Conditions
- Gastrointestinal Infections (Gastroenteritis, Food Poisoning): Managing acute episodes of vomiting and diarrhea to support recovery, ensure adequate hydration, and rule out more serious underlying causes.
- Allergic Reactions (Mild to Moderate - e.g., Hay Fever, Hives, Minor Food Allergy Symptoms): Providing advice on allergen avoidance, prescribing antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids or other medications for symptom relief, and discussing options like allergy testing or specialist referrals if indicated for more severe or complex allergies.
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (Acute Bronchitis, Community-Acquired Pneumonia): Assessment and treatment for acute chest infections like acute bronchitis or mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia, including determining the need for antibiotics based on clinical assessment and guidelines, and monitoring recovery closely.
Adult Common Health Issues
- Allergic Conjunctivitis & Dry Eye Syndrome - Primary Care Management: Diagnosing and managing common eye conditions like allergic conjunctivitis (itchy, red, watery eyes often seasonal or related to specific allergens) with advice on allergen avoidance, cool compresses, artificial tears, and topical/oral antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers. Assessing and providing initial management for dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca - gritty, burning, foreign body sensation, intermittent blurry vision) with education on environmental modifications, regular use of artificial tears/lubricating ointments, and advice on blinking exercises/lid hygiene. Referral to ophthalmology if symptoms are severe, persistent, vision is affected, or diagnosis is uncertain.
- 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.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Symptom Management & Monitoring: Management includes lifestyle advice (fluid management, avoiding bladder irritants), behavioral therapies (timed voiding), and prescription of medications such as alpha-blockers (e.g., tamsulosin, alfuzosin) to relax prostate/bladder neck muscles, or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride, dutasteride) to shrink prostate volume. Monitoring for symptom improvement and medication side effects.
- Anemia (Iron Deficiency, Vitamin B12/Folate Deficiency - Diagnosis & Management): Managing common types of nutritional anemia such as iron deficiency anemia (oral or intravenous iron supplementation, dietary advice to increase iron intake and absorption, investigation for source of chronic blood loss if suspected - e.g., GI bleed, heavy menses) and megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (oral or parenteral supplementation, dietary counseling, investigation for underlying causes like pernicious anemia, malabsorption syndromes - celiac disease, Crohn's, post-gastric surgery, medication effects - metformin, PPIs).
This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Hutchison. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.
Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison's Family Medicine Services
- Travel Medicine Consultations (Preventative Advice & Routine/Travel Vaccinations): Offering essential travel health services and advice to protect your health while abroad, tailored to your destination and activities.
- Cancer Screening Coordination (Cervical, Breast, Colorectal, Prostate, Lung - as per guidelines): Proactive screening discussions and referrals for common cancers to ensure timely diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.
- Primary Care for Overuse & Repetitive Strain Injuries: Helping patients recover from repetitive strain conditions and prevent recurrence through education and targeted interventions.
- Chronic Pain Management (Musculoskeletal, Neuropathic - Primary Care Approach): Helping individuals understand and cope with chronic pain, aiming to improve daily function, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.
- 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.
Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Hutchison. 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. Hutchison
At Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison'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. Hutchison frequently works with patients towards goals such as:
- Struggling with feeling a lump in their breast or armpit that needs to be examined? Dr. Hutchison helps patients target successfully managing a challenging perinatal period, including issues like gestational diabetes or postpartum mood disorders, with the integrated medical, emotional, and practical support provided by {preferred_name}, making a return to activities such as faithfully taking their cherished dog (or other pets) for long, brisk, enjoyable walks in the neighborhood park, through local trails, or along the beach every single day, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, for mutual benefit more achievable.
- Overcoming or managing their partner or they snoring loudly and possibly having sleep apnea is a common patient journey at Dr. Hutchison's practice. The focus is on enabling having their specific concerns about a child's unique developmental trajectory, learning style, or challenging behavior addressed by {preferred_name} with appropriate, validated screening tools, initial guidance, and highly effective, timely referrals to specialists or community programs when indicated, so that engaging in confidently enjoying a varied, balanced, and largely unrestricted diet (unless medically indicated for very specific diagnosed conditions like celiac disease or severe allergies) without undue fear of triggering adverse reactions, pain, or significant digestive distress becomes a reality again.
- When their elderly relative seeming more confused or withdrawn lately impacts daily life, Dr. Hutchison helps patients strive for having their complex chronic condition, such as advanced type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, difficult-to-control asthma, or multi-joint osteoarthritis, effectively managed and well-stabilized through a collaborative, evidence-based plan developed with {preferred_name}, making activities such as skillfully and creatively cooking a wide variety of nutritious, flavorful, and delicious meals from scratch for themselves, their partners, and their families on a regular basis, finding joy in the process possible again.
Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Hutchison, 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. Hutchison practices at a family medical clinic in Kamloops, situated in the Downtown Kamloops, South Shore East (Valleyview) neighborhood of Kamloops. The clinic is conveniently located near Royal Inland Hospital and is accessible via the Kamloops Transit System (BC Transit). Free patient parking is often available on-site or on nearby streets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Medicine with Dr. Hutchison in Kamloops
- What if Dr. Hutchison works in a Family Health Team or group practice? Will I always see Dr. Hutchison?
- Dr. Hutchison practices as part of a team-based practice, which often means you have access to a range of healthcare professionals like nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, or pharmacists working together. While the goal is always to promote continuity with your primary family doctor, Dr. Hutchison, for some urgent issues, routine follow-ups, or specific services, you might be seen by another trusted member of the team. This collaborative approach can enhance access to care and provide comprehensive support. The clinic will always strive to have you see Dr. Hutchison for complex or ongoing issues where that continuity is most crucial.
- I have multiple health problems. How does Dr. Hutchison handle complex care?
- If you have several health issues, Dr. Hutchison is well-equipped to be your central point of care. He's role includes understanding how your different conditions and their treatments might impact each other, helping you to navigate the healthcare system, and ensuring that all aspects of your health are considered in your overall treatment plan. Dr. Hutchison will work with you and other specialists to manage your health comprehensively.
- How long do appointments with Dr. Hutchison typically last?
- The length of an appointment with Dr. Hutchison can vary. Standard appointments for a single issue or a routine follow-up are often scheduled for 10-15 minutes. Appointments for more complex issues, a comprehensive periodic health exam (physical), a 'meet and greet' for new patients, counseling, or a minor procedure will usually be longer, perhaps 20-30 minutes or more. When booking your appointment at the clinic, it's always best to briefly mention the reason for your visit so the staff can allocate the appropriate amount of time with Dr. Hutchison. If you have multiple unrelated issues to discuss, you might be advised to book a longer appointment or separate appointments to ensure each concern is addressed adequately.
- Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Family Doctor) in BC?
- Generally, you do not need a referral from another doctor to see a family doctor in British Columbia if that doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can sometimes be challenging. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC website may have a "Find a Doctor" tool or list to help you. A referral is usually required from a family doctor to see most medical specialists.
- What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?
- A family doctor (in British Columbia) 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.
- 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 take time and effort. Check the website of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC; they often have a "Find a Doctor" tool or list. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations. Contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. It may take time and persistence.
- 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, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes, insurance forms, and driver's medicals, may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with our clinic if you have questions about specific services or potential fees.
- What does 'preventative care' involve with a family doctor like Dr. Hutchison?
- Preventative care with Dr. Hutchison focuses on keeping you healthy and identifying potential health problems before they become serious or cause symptoms. This involves a range of services tailored to your age, gender, and risk factors, such as routine check-ups (periodic health exams), age-appropriate cancer screenings (e.g., Pap tests, mammograms, colon cancer screening, PSA discussions), immunizations (flu shots, travel vaccines, routine boosters), blood pressure and cholesterol checks, screening for diabetes, counseling on healthy lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, responsible alcohol use), and risk assessments for various conditions. The primary goal is to prevent illness, detect diseases early when they are most treatable, and promote your long-term health and well-being.
Contact & Licensing Information for Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison
311 Columbia St
Kamloops, BC, V2C 2T1
Phone: (250) 374-5111
Dr. Stephen Keith Hutchison 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: 9026
Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/306352/Hutchison%2CStephen
Family doctors like Dr. Hutchison 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.