Dr. Brian Patrick Higgins – Internist / Geriatrician | Mississauga, ON

Dr. Brian Patrick Higgins is a dedicated Internist / Geriatrician committed to providing comprehensive medical care for adults, with a focus on complex conditions and geriatric health. Practicing in Mississauga, ON, he serves the surrounding communities. He adheres to the high standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring that his practice maintains rigorous professional and ethical standards. Dr. Higgins specializes in managing multifaceted health issues in adult patients, particularly older adults, aiming to improve quality of life and functional independence.

He graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in 1987 and has completed extensive postgraduate medical training in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. His certifications include board certification in Internal Medicine, along with specialized training in geriatrics, ensuring a broad and in-depth expertise in diagnosing and managing complex adult health conditions. Dr. Higgins continually updates his knowledge to incorporate the latest evidence-based practices in his field.

Driven by a clear and educational approach, Dr. Higgins is committed to delivering patient-centered care. He values clear communication, compassion, and the importance of understanding each patient's unique health circumstances. Fluent in English, he strives to make his patients feel informed and empowered in their health decisions. His clinical philosophy emphasizes holistic, multidisciplinary care tailored to the needs of each individual, especially focusing on aging and complex medical conditions in the community of Mississauga.

Dr. Higgins provides expert care for adults with a wide range of medical conditions, including:

Select Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions

• Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) Workup: Systematic investigation to determine the cause of prolonged, unexplained fevers.
• Management of Select Rheumatologic Conditions: Care for common inflammatory conditions such as gout or polymyalgia rheumatica, or initial assessment for suspected autoimmune diseases.
• Complex Infections Consultation: Providing diagnostic and management expertise for challenging infections, often in consultation with primary care.

Complex Diagnostic & Multi-System Issues

• Syncope (Fainting) Evaluation: Comprehensive work-up to determine the cause of fainting spells or loss of consciousness.
• Management of Patients with Multiple Comorbidities: Coordinating care and treatment plans for individuals managing several complex health conditions simultaneously.
• Perioperative Medical Optimization: Pre-surgical assessment and management of medical conditions to minimize operative risks and ensure smoother recovery.

Geriatric Syndromes & Focused Elder Care

• Nutritional Assessment & Weight Loss: Investigating unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, providing guidance on nutritional support for older adults.
• Frailty Assessment & Management: Identifying and managing frailty to improve resilience, maintain function, and enhance quality of life in older adults.
• Polypharmacy & Medication Optimization: Expert review of multiple medications to reduce adverse effects, eliminate unnecessary drugs (deprescribing), and simplify regimens.

Dr. Higgins manages a wide range of complex adult and geriatric health conditions. This list highlights common areas of focus. If your condition is not listed, please note that internal medicine specialists address diverse and often multi-systemic diseases. Consultation is typically initiated via referral from your primary care physician.

• Frailty Evaluation and Management: Assessing for frailty (increased vulnerability) and developing interventions to enhance resilience, function, and independence.
• Osteoporosis and Bone Health Management: Screening, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis to prevent fractures in older adults.
• Management of Chronic Respiratory Conditions: Ongoing care for conditions such as COPD, asthma, and interstitial lung diseases, focusing on symptom control and exacerbation prevention.
• Coordination of Specialist Care: Acting as a central point of contact to help manage and coordinate input from various medical specialists for patients with multi-system diseases.
• Medication Review and Optimization (Deprescribing): Systematic review of all medications (polypharmacy) to ensure appropriateness, minimize side effects and interactions, and deprescribe unnecessary drugs.

Note: This list represents some of the key services offered by Dr. Higgins. As a specialist in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, he provides comprehensive diagnostic and management services. For specific inquiries about whether your condition falls within Dr. Higgins's scope of practice, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Dr. Higgins's practice is located in the Churchill Meadows neighborhood of Mississauga, ON. The clinic is conveniently situated within North York General Hospital, providing a collaborative healthcare environment. It is easily accessible via the Malton GO Station and is well-served by MiWay (Mississauga Transit) buses. The location is designed to be accessible for all patients, with the facility being wheelchair accessible. Parking is available at the facility.

How is payment handled for appointments with Dr. Higgins? Is it covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?

In ON, medical consultations with specialists like Dr. Higgins are typically covered by your provincial health insurance (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)) when you present a valid health card and have the required referral. You generally do not pay directly for the consultation service itself. Some specific procedures, forms, or administrative tasks might not be covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and may incur a separate fee according to provincial guidelines. Please inquire if you have questions about uninsured services.

Can I book an appointment directly or do I absolutely need a referral?

A referral from your family physician or another medical specialist is required to see Dr. Higgins. As experts in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, Internists and Geriatricians see patients based on specific medical questions posed by the referring doctor. This ensures continuity of care and that the consultation is appropriate for your needs. Please have your doctor forward the referral information.

What is involved in a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)?

A CGA is a detailed evaluation specifically designed for older adults. It goes beyond standard medical checks to assess multiple domains including: medical conditions, medication review (polypharmacy), functional status (ability to perform daily tasks), mobility and fall risk, cognitive health (memory and thinking), mood (screening for depression/anxiety), nutrition, and social support systems. Dr. Higgins uses this holistic approach to develop a personalized care plan. He considers medical, functional, cognitive, and social factors to optimize health outcomes for older adults.

North York General Hospital
2200 Eglinton Avenue West
Mississauga, ON L5M 2N1

Phone: (905) 813-2200 | Fax: (905) 813-4024

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Higgins is a licensed physician regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. Patients are typically seen by referral from their primary care physician.

Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Higgins-Brian-Patrick/0044059-58037