Dr. Shulman continues to pursue his longstanding interest in the role of the medical expert in the assessment of testamentary capacity and vulnerability to undue influence. Together with other medical and legal colleagues, he has published opinion pieces, systematic reviews and guidelines in medical and legal journals. Most recently, he and colleagues in law and AI conducted the first scoping review of judicial decisions involving will challenges across Canada using both manual and machine learning methodology.
Dr. Shulman is leading efforts to implement effective and safe therapeutic ranges for maintenance lithium use in older adults with bipolar disorder based on a previously published Delphi survey. This quality improvement effort is now aimed at an international level in collaboration with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders and the Working Group on Reference Interval Harmonization led by SickKids Laboratory Medicine.
Dr. Shulman’s work on the clock-drawing test continues to influence current research into cognitive screening. As of 2024 his review paper on clock-drawing has attained almost 2,000 citations. He continues to consult with international groups studying the use of clock-drawing by incorporating digital methodologies.
Education
- MD, University of Toronto, Canada
- SM, Harvard University School of Public Health, US
Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute,
- Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto,
Research Foci
- Lithium treatment in older adults with bipolar disorder
- Testamentary Capacity
Affiliated Labs & Programs
Selected Publications
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Shulman K, Himel S, Hull I et al (2017) Banks v Goodfellow (1870): Time to update the test for testamentary capacity. Canadian Bar Review 251, CanLIIDocs 133.
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Kirkham J, Mitchell S, Cohen C Hao C, Shulman K (2024) Responding to the growing need for medical experts in testamentary and estate related capacities: a course for physicians. Am J Ger Psych doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2024.08.013
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Shulman K (2000) Clock-drawing: is it the ideal cognitive screening test? Int J Geriatr Psychiatry; 15(6): 548-61.
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Shulman K, Almeida O, Herrmann N et al (2018) Delphi survey of maintenance lithium treatment in older adults with bipolar disorder: an ISBD task force report. Bipolar Disorders doi:10.1111/bdi.12714