Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How can I get my child to see a Paediatrician?

Dr. Goldade sees children on a referral only basis. They need to be referred by another physician, often your Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Goldade does not see healthy children for "primary care".

2. Why is Dr. Goldade's wait time so long?

Dr. Goldade's wait-lists have grown exponentially, and we truly appreciate your frustration in sometimes being unable to see a medical professional (including Dr.Goldade) in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, there are just not enough Paediatricians in Calgary to take care of all the patients.

A personal note from Dr. Goldade: If you are as equally frustrated (as I am) regarding the lack of timely resources in Alberta ... you MUST complain to your MLA here. Complain loudly to him/her... as we are ALL working hard and are feeling exhausted. Know that I'm a parent too ... and share in your frustration. As well, check out my thoughts in the Government Advocacy section of this website.

If you feel you or your child have an emergency and cannot get in to see me, please see your Family Physician, go to a walk-in clinic or go to an Emergency Room.

3. How do I book a follow-up appointment?

You are required to book all follow-up appointments, either by stopping by the reception desk after your appointment or emailing into our office (drgoldade@gmail.com). Our office will not call you to book follow up appointments. Dr. Goldade usually sees children (In Person) every 6-8 months. If it's been more than 12 months since your child has been seen, you will need a Referral from your Family Doctor to be seen again.

4. How do I cancel or re-book an appointment?

Please email (drgoldade@gmail.com) or text (403-620-4204) to let us know (the sooner the better). If less than 24 hours (1 full business day) is given, you will be subject to a missed appointment fee. Please refer to the Office/Patient Services section for more information. Do not try to cancel an appointment via phone. Please Email. Note that we can often turn the appointment into a phone call or Virtual Visit so that you can still have an opportunity to talk and/or update Dr. Goldade.

5. I'm running late, what do I do to avoid a missed appointment fee?

Please email (drgoldade@gmail.com) or text (403-620-4204) our office as soon as possible, and the front staff can review the options with you (such as a phone call with Dr. Goldade or a Virtual Visit). Most likely you will need to reschedule as our office runs VERY on time.

6. Should I come early to the appointment?

Yes! You MUST come 15 minutes early to each appointment so that we can check you in, and measure your child's growth, and ensure your child is ready to see the Paediatrician at the start of the appointment time. 

7. Why do I need to remove my shoes and leave my stroller in the waiting room?

Shoes and strollers can pick up a lot of dirty things from the environment. Since our patients are frequently playing on the floor, we like to keep things as clean as possible. You are welcome to bring indoor shoes or slippers to the appointment. 

8. Why is the doctor late?

This can happen for a variety of reasons, most commonly because a family before you arrived late to their appointment. You can help us avoid this by ensuring you arrive early so your child is ready to see the doctor at the scheduled appointment time. 

9. Why do I have to pay for "uninsured services"?

Uninsured services are not covered by Alberta Health Care. The cost of these services are based on suggestions from the Alberta Medical Association. To review a list of uninsured services, please refer to the Office/Patient Services section.

10. Can I email forms or reports or questions to Dr. Goldade?

Recently, we have made it possible for you to email reports and forms to our office. At this time, email is considered INSECURE. We also have a SECURE email service (called Brightsquid). Ask Dr. Goldade or the staff about this option.

11. Can I phone Dr. Goldade?

An in person visit is always much preferred. But sometimes we can try to accommodate a phone call but it still needs to be scheduled via email.

12. Why do I need a re-referral for my child to see Dr. Goldade?

A re-referral is needed once your child's file has been closed or if it has been more than 12 months since your last In Person visit. This may happen if your child does not follow-up with their Paediatrician within the recommended time period (usually within 6-8 months) or if the Paediatrician feels no follow up is required.

13. My child has behavioural/learning problems. Will Dr. Goldade provide us with counselling?

Dr Goldade is NOT a Psychologist nor a Counsellor. She is not a Psychiatrist. She does not provide Psychoeducational Assessments. She also does not provide Primary Care. She will assess your child from a MEDICAL perspective and make recommendations based on that. She considers herself to be a "coordinator/collaborator/case manager".

14. Why are there medical students or residents that see my child?

Very often, Dr. Goldade will have medical students from the University of Calgary and Residents from the Alberta Children's Hospital and the University of Calgary with her in the office. Our Paediatricians are committed to the education of our future doctors. Generally, based on the student's experience, the goal is to try and allow the student to function as the Physician (with much guidance). They usually spend time with you and your child ... gathering data (with detailed instruction from Dr. Goldade) and then they come to present their findings to Dr. Goldade and attempt a plan. Then the student and Dr. Goldade will visit with you and your child to ensure that the information gathered is correct and the plan is appropriate and safe.

15. Why am I charged for a Doctor's Signature?

Any Doctor's time is very valuable. You may be asking for a simple signature but if their name is being put on the form, the doctor likely needs to read the form/letter and ensure it's accurate. Even if this takes 5 minutes, it takes time and this is considered an "uninsured service". In other words, your Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan is actually not free. Another example is that a Lawyer would also likely charge you for a signature for the same service (and likely charge you quite a bit more).

16. How do I get a copy of my child's file?

You can obtain a copy of a full file by USB transfer for a fee. There is a basic $60 fee to get the process started. But there will likely be additional fees such as:

  $45 per 15 minutes for the doctor to review the file.

  $6.75 per 15 minute for technician time.

  $6 Fee for the USB stick.

  Fee to mail the USB stick.

On average, the fee is around $100.

If you wish to have a paper version of the file, this will be much more costly as it takes more time and you will be charged for the paper. And if you wish for a copy of the file prior to 2006, this will cost even more, as the paper file is in storage and will need to be retrieved.

While the actual file transfer may only take a few minutes, our office staff may be busy and not able to complete this task for several days-weeks. They will inform you when the file transfer has been completed. 

If you wish to have our office process a request for a copy of your child's chart please print, sign and return the form below along with a $60 DEPOSIT. You will be billed for the BALANCE once the request has been processed and the balance calculated.

17. Disability Tax Credit

I'm happy to help with the DTC which can be sent in digitally or on paper. There are several options that will help make this process MUCH easier (and more likely for you to get the DTC):

a) Contact Krista MUSCHANOV, Financial Coach with Connections for Families Society (www.connectionsforfamilies.ca. Phone: 403-209-11100. Email: kristam@connectionsforfamilies.ca) and she can help you fill out the form (at no charge).

b) You can also register for a workshop with Ms. Audrey VELTRI and for no cost, she could also help you complete the form which then helps me. You need to register for her workshop at:

           https://www.meetup.com/disability-tax-credit-meetup-group

This is a virtual workshop where Ms Veltri runs two sessions each month (typically the first and last Tuesday). The first session is HOW TO APPLY and information on the process. She will help you work through the application form together and can fill it out alongside you.

The second session is for families once they have been APPROVED and she reviews how to maximize the credit, how to claim it on an ongoing basis, and discuss other government and financial supports that are available. Families can register for the workshop. Note that Audrey may suggest some financial advice but you are under absolutely no obligation to accept it.

c) You can also try to complete the 16 page form yourself. You would download the NEW form (from the DTC website: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/cra-arc/formspubs/pbg/t2201/t2201-22e.pdf. And I know that the CRA site states: "Medical practitioner completes Part B. Part B must only be completed by the medical practitioner. Applicants cannot complete Part B themselves. If an applicant completes Part B themselves, it will not be processed." But I would ask that you download the whole DTC form and try to complete the doctor's portion (Part B) as completely as you can. This will provide me with a template which will help me complete the Doctor's portion of the online form by knowing what YOU think your child's challenges are: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/t2201.html

Note that when it it is completed DIGITALLY, it looks MUCH better and it's more read-able for CRA.

_______________________________

Then you will send a copy of Form B to me to review.

If you wish me to go in and do the form digitally, I will use your ANSWERS to help me complete Part B on line.

**** Note that the fee for Dr. Goldade to review and sign the DTC form is $80.

And here are some additional tips about the DTC Form from the Canadian Paediatric Society. Though it was written for the Paediatrician, it's also very helpful for the parents.

18.  I've been asked to pay a fee for a Letter

You can pay Dr. Goldade for a variety of fees (No Shows, A letter of diagnosis, the Disability Tax Credit, etc.) via a number of methods:

• Cheque (payable to Dr .Goldade Professional Corporation). Ensure that the cheque states your child's name and what the cheque is for.
• Cash
• Via eTransfer (to drgoldade@gmail.com).

We do not accept Debit payment.

19. Divorced or Separated Parents