Helen Senderovich
MD, MCFP (COE) (PC)

Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine,
Division of Palliative Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
-Postgraduate studies,Enhanced Skills in Care of the Elderly, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
-Postgraduate studies, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Advanced skills in
Family Medicine
Research Synopsis
Dr. Senderovich's interests include
1. Geriatrics: The translation of knowledge to the practicing primary care practitioners about the role Alternative therapy in the management of malignant and non malignant pain in elderly.
2. Palliative Care: The translation of knowledge to the practicing primary care practitioner about the role Alternative therapy in pain, symptoms management and end of life quality in seniors.
3. Polypharmacy: The translation of knowledge to the practicing primary care practitioners about optimal prescribing, reducing polypharmacy and associated with its drug interactions to decrease the burden of related complications in seniors.
4. Pain and symptoms management:
Recent Publications
Journal Articles:
Senderovich H, Grewal J, Mujtaba M. Herpes zoster vaccination efficacy in the long-term care facility population: a qualitative systematic review. Current Medical Research & Opinion Journal, IF-2.7 Volume 35, Issue 8, March 2019. Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Yendamuri A. Management of Breathlessness in Palliative Care: Inhalers and Dyspnea—A Literature Review. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, October, 2018 (on line). Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Khani E.G. The role of Bile Acid Sequestrant in diarrhea management. Too good to be true? Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology , IF-7.8 Volume 2, No.3:19, September, 2018. Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Justin Yewman Chow. It’s Time to Talk: Challenges in Providing Integrated Palliative Care in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure. Current Cardiology Reviews Journal, IF-2, Volume 8, No.0, January, 2018. Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Andrew Kosmopoulos. An Insight into the Effect of Exercises on the Prevention of Osteoporosis and Associated Fractures in High-Risk Individuals. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, Volume 9, Issue 1, January, 2018. Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Megan J Vierhout. Is There a Role for Charcoal in Palliative Diarrhea Management? Current Medical Research & Opinion Journal, IF-2.7 January 2018. Principal Author.
Senderovich H, Jeyapragasan G. Is There a Role for Combined Use of Gabapentin and Pregabalin in Pain Control? Too Good to Be True? Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Current Medical Research & Opinion Journal, IF-2.7 December 2017 (on line); Volume 34, Issue 4, January, 2018. Principal Author.
Senderovich H., Tang H., Belmont S. The Role of Exercises in Osteoporotic Fracture Prevention and Current Care Gaps. Where Are We Now? Recent Updates. Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, July, 2017 Volume 8, Issue 3. Principal Author.
Book Chapters:
Senderovich H., Chow J., Wignarajah S. Integrated End-of-life Care in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure? Where are we now? Book chapter. Horizons in World Cardiovascular Research. Volume 13 ,chapter 3. Editors: Eleanor H. Bennington, NOVA Science Publisher, July 2017. Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Principal Author. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63430
Books:
Senderovich H. Integrated End-of-life Care in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Book; Scholars' Press, January 2019. Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Principal Author. https://www.morebooks.de/gb/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=9786138636106
Senderovich H., Chow J., Wignarajah S. Integrated End-of-life Care in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure Book; Scholars' Press, June 2017. Baycrest Health Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Principal Author. https://www.amazon.com/Integrated-life-Advanced-Congestive-Failure/dp/3330652799/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497677617&sr=1-1&keywords=Integrated+End-of-life+Care+in+Advanced+Congestive+Heart+Failure
In Press:
David Holzman, Gabapentin, Pregabalin Combo Could Relieve Pain With Fewer Risks, August 2018. Dr. H. Senderovich contributed to postmedia editorial in PAINMEDICINENEWS. Clinical Pain Medicine , Baycrest Health Sciences.
- The topic: Gabapentin, Pregabalin Combo Could Relieve Pain With Fewer Risks.
- Dr. Senderovich explains the possible benefits of combined use of gabapentin and pregabalin in refractory pain management for the patients, commenting on the cons- and pros- of integrating it in practice, and emphasizing the need for future research to reveal a full benefit of this combination.
- https://www.painmedicinenews.com/Clinical-Pain-Medicine/Article/08-18/Gabapentin-Pregabalin-Combo-Could-Relieve-Pain-With-Fewer-Risks/52442?sub=FD1592C96E9324365FDC1EFE9EE58BDEBAB6A5A2138CBF47D9D56B13AE66347&enl=true
THERAPEUTIC TOUCH MAY BENEFIT DEMENTIA PATIENTS, July 2017. Dr.H.Senderovich contributed to media editorial in Massage Magazine , Issue 254,Online Exclusives, Research, Baycrest Health Sciences.
- The topic: THERAPEUTIC TOUCH MAY BENEFIT DEMENTIA PATIENTS
- Dr. Senderovich explains the benefits of Therapeutic Touch in the agitation management in dementia patient and commenting on it’s possible role in sleep improvement .She also emphasizing that Therapeutic Touch may be beneficial for other common behaviors issues in dementia population such as wandering, restlessness and vocalizations and pointing to the need of future research in this area to reveal a full benefit of this this intervention.
- https://www.massagemag.com/therapeutic-touch-may-benefit-dementia-patients-85643/
Senderovich H., Kristen McFadyen: Palliative care: Too Good to be True? December 2017. Baycrest Health Sciences.
- Dr. H. Senderovich and Kristen McFadyen contributed an editorial on Baycrest and Rotman’s Twitter channels for its News series.
- The topic:“Palliative care: Too Good to be True?” Dr. Senderovich explains the benefits of palliative care in improving quality of life for the patients, commenting on the existent challenges and barriers, and emphasizing the need for education of public and health care professionals for successful integration of palliative care into our practices.
- https://twitter.com/rotmanresearch
Senderovich H., Kristen McFadyen: Palliative care: Too Good to be True? December 2017. Baycrest Health Sciences.
- Dr. H. Senderovich and Kristen McFadyen contributed an editorial to The Department of Family& Community medicine-Division of Palliative care for its News series.
- The topic:“Palliative care: Too Good to be True?” Dr. Senderovich explains the benefits of palliative care in improving quality of life for the patients, commenting on the existent challenges and barriers, and emphasizing the need for education of public and health care professionals for successful integration of palliative care into our practices.
- http://www.dfcm.utoronto.ca/palliative-care-too-good-be-true
- https://twitter.com/i/web/status/940992518228979713
Senderovich H.: Palliative care benefits both patients and families, September 2017. Baycrest Health Sciences.
- Dr. H. Senderovich contributed an editorial to The Toronto Star for its Doctors’ Notes series.
- The topic:“Palliative care benefits both patients and families” Dr. Senderovich explains the benefits of palliative care and emphasizes the challenges and barriers that public is experiencing while accessing into this care.
- https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2017/09/11/palliative-care-benefits-both-patients-and-families.html
Senderovich H., Wignarajah S.: Palliative Care. Talk to Your Doctor, Make Your Voice Heard, May 2017, Baycrest Health Sciences, Dr. H. Senderovich and S. Wignarajah contributed an editorial to Health Care Times | Health News Magazine; Issue 2, pages 10-13. Ministry of Health&Family Welfare Government of India.
- The topic: “Palliative Care. Talk to Your Doctor, Make Your Voice Heard ”
- Dr. Senderovich explains the importance of Palliative Care and communication with your doctor in advance to ensure our wishes are followed approaching end of life.
- Primary supervisor.
- http://healthcaretimes.org/health-news-magazine/
Senderovich H.: Role of Therapeutic Touch in the management of responsive behavior in patients with dementia, October 2016, Baycrest Health Sciences, Dr. H. Senderovich contributed an editorial to Therapeutic Touch Canada News/Nouvelles ; Volume 5, No. 4; page 8-9.
- Senderovich Helen, Ananthavalli Kumarappah. Poster:Review: Role of Therapeutic Touch in the management of responsive behavior in patients with dementia.
Senderovich Helen, Mary Lou Ip, Lynda Dunal, Helen Kuttner, Anna Berall, Jurgis Karuza, Michael Gordon, Joshua Tordjman, Daphna Grossman. Poster:Therapeutic Touch TM in a Geriatric Palliative Care unit - A Retrospective Review
- Dr. Senderovich explains the role of Therapeutic Touch in the non pharmacological management of responsive behavior in dementia patients and reflects on utilization of Therapeutic Touch at the end of life.
Honours and Awards
Name:Description:
2019: College of Family Physcians of Canada Award of Excellence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Outstanding contribution in a specific area pertaining to the speciality of family medicine.
2018: CARE Award of Excellence, Departmen of Organizational Effectiveness, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Outstanding contribution to patient care: Successfully trialing and championing the Telemedicine Virtual Care CABHI project within the ICCT and DTC.
2018: Research Publicaiton Award, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Publication:Senderovich H, Khani E.G. The role of Bile Acid Sequestrant in diarrhea management. Too good to be true?Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology , IF-7.8 Volume 2, No.3:19, September, 2018. Principal Author.
2018: Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Participation, Dedication & Contribution as a Preceptor to Family Medicine/Palliative Care Students, The Centre for Education and Knowledge in Aging, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2017: Excellence in Mentorship Award, Undergraduate Education Program, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2016: Faculty Development Award, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Keynote Presentation on the World Congress on Non Communicable Diseases and Therapies in Phoenix, Arizona, December, “Integrated End of Life in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure.”
2016:Research Travel Fund Award, Department of Family and Community Medicine,University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Research study presentation:Therapeutic Touch TM in a Geriatric Palliative Care unit - A Retrospective Review, 8th World Congress of the World Institute of Pain (WIP 2016), New York, NY, USA. May
2016:Nominated Ontario College of Family Physicians, Community Teacher of the Year Award.
2016:Nominated Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award.
2015: CARE Award of Excellence/Department of Organizational Effectiveness/Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Outstanding contribution to patient care.
2014:The student poster award, Knowledge Translation: Teaching Pain Management by Integrating a Pain Consult Team with the Primary Care Team- A Retrospective review All Together Better Health VII conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,USA.
2012-2013: Award of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Centre for Education and Knowledge Exchange in Aging, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Grants
2018 Research Publication award $789.55
Department of Family and community Medicine, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October
Publication:Senderovich H, Khani E.G. The role of Bile Acid Sequestrant in diarrhea management. Too good to be true? Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology , IF-7.8 Volume 2, No.3:19, September, 2018 Principal Author
2016 Faculty Development award $1,500.00
Department of Family and community Medicine,University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada,November
Keynote Presentation on the World Congress on Non Communicable Diseases and Therapies in Phoenix, Arizona, December, “Integrated End of Life in Advanced Congestive Heart Failure.”
2016 Research Travel Fund award $1500
Department of Family and community Medicine,University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Poster presentation: 8th World Congress of the World Institute of Pain (WIP 2016), New York, NY, USA.
(presenter) Senderovich Helen, Mary Lou Ip, Lynda Dunal, Helen Kuttner,
Anna Berall, Jurgis Karuza, Michael Gordon, Joshua Tordjman, Daphna Grossman
Therapeutic Touch TM in a Geriatric Palliative Care unit - A Retrospective
Review, May