About
Dr. Vithika Sivabalasundaram, a respected Internist / Geriatrician, focuses on evidence-based medicine and personalized care plans. Practicing in Scarborough, ON, she serves the surrounding communities with a commitment to comprehensive patient-centered care. Her practice adheres to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring high-quality medical services for adults, including seniors.
Dr. Sivabalasundaram graduated with her Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in 2011. She completed extensive postgraduate medical training, including residency in Internal Medicine and specialized fellowships in Geriatric Medicine. Her training emphasizes a thorough understanding of adult and elder health, enabling her to manage complex medical conditions with a multidisciplinary approach.
Her clinical philosophy is rooted in professionalism and clinical excellence. She is dedicated to serving the Scarborough community through compassionate, evidence-based care. Fluent in English, Dr. Sivabalasundaram strives to foster open communication and shared decision-making with her patients, ensuring their health goals and preferences are prioritized.
Dr. Sivabalasundaram provides expert care for adults with a wide range of medical conditions, including:
Management of Chronic Diseases
- Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol): Assessment and management of abnormal lipid levels through lifestyle advice and medication to reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Care for conditions like COPD, asthma, and interstitial lung disease, focusing on optimizing lung function and managing symptoms.
- Cardiovascular Conditions: Medical management of heart failure, coronary artery disease (stable), arrhythmias (like atrial fibrillation), and valvular heart disease.
Select Infectious & Inflammatory Conditions
- Complex Infections Consultation: Providing diagnostic and management expertise for challenging infections, often in consultation with primary care.
- Management of Select Rheumatologic Conditions: Care for common inflammatory conditions such as gout or polymyalgia rheumatica, or initial assessment for suspected autoimmune diseases.
- Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) Workup: Systematic investigation to determine the cause of prolonged, unexplained fevers.
Geriatric Syndromes & Focused Elder Care
- Cognitive Impairment & Dementia Syndromes: Comprehensive assessment for memory loss/cognitive changes; diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and others.
- Falls, Mobility & Balance Disorders: Multifactorial assessment to identify causes of falls and gait instability; implementation of prevention strategies.
- Urinary Incontinence Assessment: Evaluation and management of bladder control issues common in older adults.
Dr. Sivabalasundaram 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.
- Management of Geriatric Syndromes: Specialized care for common age-related conditions including falls, frailty, cognitive impairment (dementia, delirium), polypharmacy, urinary incontinence, and malnutrition.
- 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.
- Preventative Health Risk Assessment: Evaluating individual risk factors for major chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis) and developing preventative strategies.
- Perioperative Medical Consultation: Assessing and managing medical risks (e.g., cardiac, respiratory) for patients undergoing surgery to ensure safety and optimize post-operative recovery.
- Management of Chronic Respiratory Conditions: Ongoing care for conditions such as COPD, asthma, and interstitial lung diseases, focusing on symptom control and exacerbation prevention.
Note: This list represents some of the key services offered by Dr. Sivabalasundaram. As a specialist in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Care, she provides comprehensive diagnostic and management services. For specific inquiries about whether your condition falls within Dr. Sivabalasundaram'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. Sivabalasundaram's practice is situated in areas near the central Scarborough neighborhood of Scarborough, within the Partners in Pregnancy Clinic. The location is easily accessible by local public transit, with nearby bus and subway routes serving the area. The clinic is conveniently positioned near local points of interest such as Scarborough Town Centre and local hospitals. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available at the facility.
- How is payment handled for appointments with Dr. Sivabalasundaram? Is it covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)?
- In ON, medical consultations with specialists like Dr. Sivabalasundaram 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. Sivabalasundaram. 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.
- How long should I expect my appointment to last?
- Initial consultations with Dr. Sivabalasundaram are comprehensive and typically require more time, often ranging from 45 to 75 minutes, depending on the complexity of your medical history and concerns. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter. We recommend allowing ample time for your visit, including check-in and potential waiting periods.
- Can Dr. Vithika Sivabalasundaram provide advice on healthy aging?
- Yes, as part of a comprehensive assessment, Dr. Sivabalasundaram can discuss evidence-based strategies for healthy aging. This might include advice on appropriate exercise, nutrition, preventative health screenings, vaccinations, cognitive health maintenance, and managing chronic conditions effectively to promote longevity and well-being.
- Can a family member or friend accompany me to the appointment?
- Yes, absolutely. Patients are welcome to bring a family member, friend, or caregiver to their appointment for support, to help recall information, or to ask questions. Especially for complex discussions or if memory is a concern, having a second person present can be very beneficial.
- Does Dr. Vithika Sivabalasundaram discuss goals of care or advance care planning?
- Yes, discussing goals of care is an important part of patient-centered practice, especially in managing chronic illness or in geriatric care. Dr. Sivabalasundaram encourages conversations about patient values, preferences for future medical treatment, and advance care planning (including identifying a substitute decision-maker) to ensure care aligns with what matters most to the patient. She can provide information and facilitate these discussions.
Partners in Pregnancy Clinic
Suite 302, 303-520 Ellesmere Rd
Scarborough, ON M1R 0B1
Phone: (416) 847-4160 | Fax: (416) 283-1057
The facility is wheelchair accessible.
Dr. Sivabalasundaram 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/Sivabalasundaram-Vithika/0273491-95775