Dr. Kiran Rabheru
Full Professor of Psychiatry | University of Ottawa
Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Dr. Kiran Rabheru is a Full Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and Geriatric Psychiatrist at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH).
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Biography
Dr. Kiran Rabheru is a Full Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and Geriatric Psychiatrist at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). He serves as Medical Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and the Behavioral Support Programs at TOH. He obtained his medical degree (MD) from University of Western Ontario. He is a Certificant and Fellow of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP, FCFP). First, as a Family Physician, he gained real life experience working in several rural and urban settings for 5 years. Subsequently, he went on to complete his specialty training in Psychiatry, subspecializing in Geriatric Psychiatry, in which he is Board Certified in Canada (FRCP) and the United States (DABPN).
Dr. Rabheru is passionate and committed to serving older persons and is recognized nationally and internationally for his work. He is designated as a Founder of the subspecialty of Geriatric Psychiatry by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is recipient of the Outstanding Achievements in Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada award by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (www.cagp.ca) and has served as its President of the CAGP and a member of its Board for many years. He serves as a Co-Leader of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (https://ccsmh.ca/), Chair of the Board of the International Longevity Centre (www.ilccanada.org), Board member of the International Psychogeriatric Association (www.ipa-online.org ), Chair of the Section of Positive Psychiatry of the World Psychiatric Association (https://www.wpanet.org/) and a member of the National Leadership Team for the Fountain of Health (www.fountainofhealth.ca), which promotes healthy aging, brain resilience and vitality. In November 2020, Dr. Rabheru was honoured to be elected as Chair of the Steering Committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People – GAROP (https://rightsofolderpeople.org), a network of over 380 members from over 80 counties worldwide, united in the work to strengthen and promote the rights and the voice of older persons globally. The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People seeks a world in which older persons live free from discrimination and are able to fully enjoy their rights.
Areas of Expertise (5)
Mental Health
Dementia
Geriatric Psychiatry
Late Onset Psychosis
Psychiatry
Accomplishments (6)
The Ottawa Hospital Guardian Angel Award (professional)
2020
The Ottawa Hospital Guardian Angel Award (professional)
2014
Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) (professional)
2014 Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Society of Physician Executives
R. O. Jones Award (professional)
September 2013 Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) Annual Meeting
The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) Quality Award (professional)
2012/2013
Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada (professional)
2012
Education (2)
University of Western Ontario: B.Sc. Honours, Microbiology and Immunology 1976
University of Western Ontario: M.D. 1980
Affiliations (5)
- Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) : Chair – Steering Committee
- International Longevity Center (Global Alliance) : Member
- International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) : Member
- World Psychiatric Association : Executive Committee Member
- International Longevity Center (ILC-Canada) : Founding Board Member and Chair
Links (8)
Media Appearances (2)
Robot helps deliver “shocking” world first
The Ottawa Hospital online
2021-03-05
Mr. Smith, a robotic mannequin, helped Dr. Kiran Rabheru provide a shocking new world’s-first course for psychiatrists recently – hands-on training to administer electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
TOH pioneers geriatric psychiatry acute care in Ontario
The Ottawa Hospital online
2013-11-13
“If it works here, it’ll be rolled out elsewhere,” said Dr. Kiran Rabheru, Medical Director of Geriatric Psychiatry. “To our knowledge, we are the first in Ontario to have these full-time dedicated nurses in acute care. It’s new and innovative.”
Event Appearances (5)
Transforming Healthcare for Dementia Prevention: Health Behavior Change as First Line Medicine
International Psychogeriatric Association 19th IPA Congress Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2019-08-31
Ageism: Why We Need a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons
International Psychogeriatric Association 19th IPA Congress Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2019-08-31
Canadian Guidelines for Older Adults: Prevention, Assessment and Treatment of Alcohol, Benzodiazepine, Cannabis and Opioid Use Disorders
International Psychogeriatric Association 19th IPA Congress Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2019-08-31
Emerging Trends in Preventing Dementia at a Global Level
International Psychogeriatric Association 19th IPA Congress Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2019-08-31
Addressing the impact of cognitive frailty and dementia on the rehabilitation of older adults
International Psychogeriatric Association's (IPA) Pre-congress course Montreal, Canada
2018-11-01
Research Grants (3)
A National Cannabis (E-Learning) Education Program Focused on Older Adults
Health Canada: Substance Use and Addictions Division, Controlled Rabheru K Curriculum Vitae 66 Substances and Cannabis Branch $856,945
2019 - 2022 David Conn, K. Rabheru, et al.
Fountain of Health Initiative for Brain Health & Optimal Aging: Innovative Practice Tools for Health Behavior Change & Dementia Prevention
Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation $425,000
2018 - 2019 K. Rabheru (PI), KL Cassidy (Co-PI), et al.
Development of Four National Guidelines for Older Adults: Prevention, Assessment, & Treatment of Alcohol, Opioids, Benzodiazepines and Cannabis Use Disorders.
Health Canada - Substance Use and Addiction Program $960,151.00
2017 - 2020 Dr. David Conn (PI) and K. Rabheru (Co-Investigator) et al.
Featured Articles (5)
Loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic
International Psychogeriatrics
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to implementation of unprecedented “social distancing” strategies crucial to limiting the spread of the virus. In addition to quarantine and isolation procedures for those who have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, social distancing has been enforced amongst the general population to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
Comparing a clinician-assisted and app-supported behavioral activation intervention to promote brain health and well-being in frontline care
International Psychogeriatrics
Positive psychiatry offers an unique approach to promote brain health and well-being in aging populations. Minimal interventions through behavioral activation to promote wellness are increasingly available using self-guided apps, yet little is known about the effectiveness of app technology or the difference between clinician-supported behavioral activation versus self-guided app methodologies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7067148/
Canadian Geriatrics Journal
In Canada, rates of hospital admission from opioid overdose are higher for older adults (≥ 65) than younger adults, and opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing concern. In response, Health Canada commissioned the Canadian Coalition of Seniors’ Mental Health to create guidelines for the prevention, screening, assessment, and treatment of OUD in older adults.
Change in Prolactin Levels in Pediatric Patients Given Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Network Meta-Analysis
Schizophrenia Research and Treatment
Treatment of schizophrenia with first- and second-generation antipsychotics has been associated with elevated prolactin levels, which may increase the risk for prolactin-related adverse events.
Some of the CANMAT Recommendations for the Pharmacological Treatment of Late-life Depression Are Not Congruent with Available Evidence or Expert Opinion
The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) guidelines have become important references for clinicians and learners in Canada and elsewhere. Thus, we welcome the publication in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry of new guidelines focusing on special populations, including a well-written section on the treatment of late-life depression.
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