It's 2021 and I am now 72. I still find the challenge of helping patients very rewarding and like to be helpful, and plan to continue working several more years.
For 38 years I was a family physician. Early on I developed an interest in managing depression, and then anxiety. After some years I was asked about ADHD, and realizing I knew, little, decided to learn more. In the last 10 years of my practice, about half was mental health, lots of anxiety and depression and a burgeoning referral practice helping psychologists and other family doctors (and paediatricians with their older patients).
When I decided to retire from family practice, I decided at the last minute to keep working in mental health and so I now work part time. I worked at Richmond Road till that clinic announced it would be closing and I now work at Lakeview Family Doctors, Lakeveiew Plaza, on Crowchild Trail, just south of Glenmore Trail.
I work Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. .
Over the years, I've trained dozens of residents and students in the management of mental health problems, and lectured to family physicians and pharmacists on the topic of ADHD.
The best way to see me is to be referred by your family doctor. They can give me their thoughts and I write back to them to let them know what we're doing, and once treatment is stable, patients can return to their family doctor for ongoing treatment if that works for them. Some family doctors are quite happy having me manage the medication and that's fine too. Patients can self refer by calling the office.