15 Oct 2025 Bringing Best Evidence to Clinicians Annual Course 2025
REGISTER before October 31 to benefit from significant “Early Bird” reduced rates! Details below.
This year’s highly interactive conference will be offered virtually on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29 and tackles common and new drug therapy issues from an evidence-based perspective. The scope of information is broad, practical, and often controversial, thus appealing to professionals in family practice, internal medicine, and pharmacy. This, like all TI events, does not receive any sponsorship from the device or pharmaceutical industry. The TI Annual Course is accredited and participants can claim up to 6.5 Mainpro+ Certified Activity credits. Discussions will cover recent research on menopause, diagnosing disabilities, post-MI preventive treatments, new drugs for diabetes, challenges in treating pain, comparison of treatment benefits and harms in clinical trials, racemic mixtures, and optimal prescribing.
Keynote Presentation
The Keynote presentation will be delivered on Saturday, November 29 by internationally renowned expert, Dr. David Juurlink, a general internist and clinical pharmacologist/toxicologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Juurlink is a Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities, he maintains an active research program in the field of drug safety.
Treating pain is harder than it looks
This presentation frames the treatment of pain as an experiment on the patient, and details how this experiment can be upended by common misconceptions about analgesics and by occult harms, particularly with NSAIDs and opioids.
Learning objectives:
- To understand why the goal of treating pain is not simply pain relief.
- To appreciate the many hidden harms of analgesics.
- To dispel some myths about common analgesics.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Friday, November 28
| Time | Presentation title and description | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20-12:30 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Dr. Aaron M Tejani |
| 12:30-13:30 |
ADHD and other disability diagnoses: the seven sins of clinicians This presentation takes a critical look at how ADHD and other disability diagnoses are made in young adults—and how well-intentioned clinicians sometimes get it wrong. Drawing on real case examples and extant research, Dr. Harrison highlights common assessment errors such as overreliance on self-report, misuse of screening tools, and failure to consider alternative explanations for attention or academic problems. These missteps, combined with client and institutional pressures, have contributed to inflated ADHD diagnoses and unnecessary accommodations. The talk also examines how “concept creep” and popular misinformation have blurred the line between typical challenges and genuine impairment. Learning Objectives:
|
Dr. Allyson G Harrison |
| 13:30-14:00 |
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) and Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors are recommended for type 2 diabetes management in people at high cardiovascular risk. Their CV benefit has been documented in cardiovascular outcome trials that included mostly people in secondary CVD prevention when most people with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice are in primary CVD prevention. This presentation summarizes the evidence about GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i for CVD prevention in type 2 diabetes. Learning Objectives:
|
Dr. Guillaume Grenet |
| 14:00-14:15 | BREAK | |
| 14:15-14:45 |
One of these things is a lot like the other. Is the use of enantiomers versus racemic drugs rational in BC? Are single-enantiomer drugs truly better—or just better marketed? Using real BC data on use and spending, this session compares racemic and single-enantiomer pairs such as citalopram/escitalopram, omeprazole/esomeprazole, lansoprazole/dexlansoprazole, zopiclone/eszopiclone, and mixed amphetamine salts/dextroamphetamine. We’ll review head-to-head RCTs and critically examine manufacturer claims to see whether “pure” enantiomers deliver meaningful clinical benefits—or if those benefits justify their higher price tags. Learning Objectives:
|
Dr. Aaron M Tejani |
| 14:45-15:45 |
Heart attack hacks: Translating evidence into everyday care The stream of clinical research in cardiology flows at a very rapid pace, requiring a continuous look at advancements in evidence-based care related to cardiovascular disease. This session highlights key updates in post-myocardial infarction care that can be integrated into everyday primary care practice. This session will highlight key updates in post-myocardial infarction care that can be integrated into everyday primary care practice. Through a review of the latest findings from major clinical trials that reshape, refute, or confirm our approach to ongoing management we will navigate the fundamental questions of when to intensify, when to step back, how and most importantly, why. A key focus of the session will be on the implications of this evidence for primary care practice and the direct application to individual patients. Learning objectives:
|
Dr. Jamie Falk |
Saturday, November 29
| Time | Presentation title and description | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30-09:30 |
Keynote: Treating pain is harder than it looks This presentation frames the treatment of pain as an experiment on the patient, and details how this experiment can be upended by common misconceptions about analgesics and by occult harms, particularly with NSAIDs and opioids. Learning objectives:
|
Dr. David Juurlink |
| 09:30-10:00 |
Overlooked challenges in comparing treatment benefits and harms in randomized trials In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), adverse events are documented to assess whether the proposed treatment’s benefits outweigh its risks for the target population. However, the number of participants enrolled in RCTs is often insufficient to definitively rule out an increase in harm. Consequently, treatment benefit is evaluated against harm using a hypothesis test for the beneficial outcome, while the assessment of potential treatment harm is often underpowered and sometimes informal. Additionally, relative and absolute measures of benefit and harm can become conflated. Through examples, this presentation will elucidate the role of relative and absolute measures of efficacy in comparing treatment benefits and harms, and explain how interpretations of adverse event data can create a false sense of security. Some initial thoughts on how these comparisons might be reimagined will also be discussed. Learning objectives:
|
Dr. Colin Dormuth |
| 10:00-10:15 | BREAK | |
| 10:15-11:15 |
Evidence-based approaches to menopause: Overcoming misinformation Menopause is a natural stage of life, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Myths and misinformation—shaped by cultural narratives, historical controversies, and inconsistent communication—have left many women uncertain about their symptoms and treatment options. Addressing these misconceptions is critical to improving care. Evidence now guides effective management of menopause. Research supports the use of lifestyle strategies, non-hormonal therapies, and hormone therapy for symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep changes, mood disturbances, and bone health. At the same time, unproven or overstated claims continue to circulate, reinforcing the importance of clear, evidence-based information. Menopause affects women differently, and management must reflect individual health risks, preferences, and symptom profiles. Personalized care not only improves outcomes but also empowers women to make informed decisions. By dispelling myths and focusing on evidence, this session highlights opportunities to strengthen clinical practice and deliver better menopause care. Learning Objectives:
|
Dr. Iliana Lega |
| 11:15-11:35 |
Highlights from TI Portrait The Prescribing Portrait program gives BC clinicians timely evidence, personalized prescribing data, and actionable recommendations to improve patient care. See how your prescribing patterns compare—whether it’s sleep medications, treatments for UTIs, or non-opioid options for chronic pain—and discover opportunities to optimize therapy and outcomes for your patients. |
Dr. Aaron M Tejani |
| 11:35-12:15 |
Drugs and edema: A not so ‘swell’ effect Edema is a common and often distressing clinical problem, with causes ranging from cardiac, renal, and hepatic disease to hypoalbuminemia and venous insufficiency. However, an important and frequently overlooked contributor is medication. Many commonly prescribed drugs, including certain drugs for hypertension, pain, and diabetes, can cause or worsen edema. This session will explore the problem of edema with a focus on its iatrogenic causes. We will review the mechanisms by which medications lead to fluid accumulation, highlighting how an understanding of these pathways can guide management. Practical strategies for treatment will be discussed. |
Dr. Jessica Otte |
| 12:15-12:25 | Course Wrap-up | Dr. Aaron M Tejani |
Invited Speakers
Dr. David Juurlink, MD, PhD
David Juurlink is a general internist and clinical pharmacologist/toxicologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Juurlink is a Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. In addition to his clinical and teaching responsibilities, he maintains an active research program in the field of drug safety.
Dr. Jamison (Jamie) Falk, PharmD
Jamie Falk is an Associate Professor and Clinical Stream Lead at the College of Pharmacy, with a cross appointment to the Department of Family Medicine at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. After 15 years in practice as a pharmacist in family medicine he now focuses his research and teaching on optimizing prescribing practices, navigating approaches to minimize patient burden, and promoting evidence-based knowledge translation. In addition to continued work with the TI on various research and scholarly initiatives, he is a national PEER team member, and co-chair of the annual Making Evidence Matter for Everyone (MEME) Conference in Vancouver.
Dr. Allyson G Harrison, PhD, CPsych
Allyson Harrison is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University and the former Clinical Director of the Regional Assessment & Resource Centre, also at Queen’s. Over and above her assessment practice, she has been active both nationally and internationally, providing continuing education on issues related to LD and ADHD. Her areas of research interest are in assessment and differential diagnosis of LD and ADHD. She has published over 70 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, and authored seven book chapters. She is also a member of the editorial boards of the Canadian Journal of School Psychology, Psychological Injury and Law, and The Clinical Neuropsychologist, and an associate editor of the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Finally, for the past two years she has been the chair of the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee of the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario.
Dr. Iliana Lega, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Iliana Lega is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at University of Toronto, a Staff Physician in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) and a Clinician Scientist at Women’s College Research and Innovation Institute. She is the Medical Lead for the Reproductive Endocrinology Program at WCH. She was recently the co-lead for the Ontario Health Quality Standards on Menopause, to be published in the fall of 2025. With more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the Canadian Menopause Society, Dr. Lega leads a research program focused on improving the care of women as they transition through menopause.
TI Speakers
Dr. Colin Dormuth, ScD
Colin Dormuth is a pharmacoepidemiologist and Co-Director of the Therapeutics Initiative, where he has been a member since 1995. His research focusses on drug safety and effectiveness, as well as the design and evaluation of reimbursement policies for prescription drugs. He has training in economic theory, applied econometrics, epidemiology, health services outcome research and biostatistics. Dr. Dormuth holds a Sc.D. and S.M. in epidemiology from Harvard University, an M.A. in economics from the University of Victoria, and a B.A. in economics from the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Guillaume Grenet, MD, PhD
Guillaume Grenet completed his MD specializing in endocrinology and his PhD in clinical pharmacology at the University of Lyon 1. He was a hospital doctor at the pharmaco-toxicology department of the University Hospital of Lyon. Dr. Grenet joined the Therapeutics Initiative team in September 2023, initially as a Visiting Scientist, now as a research associate. He is involved notably with the Drug Assessment Working Group, the Cochrane Hypertension Group and the Education Working Group. His research focuses on treatment evaluation, especially of drugs used in diabetes, metabolic diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, mostly using evidence synthesis approaches.
Dr. Jessica Otte, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Jessica Otte is a family and palliative care physician in Nanaimo, BC, who believes medicine is at its best when care aligns with what matters most to patients. She integrates the principles of palliative care with rigorous appraisal of evidence to promote care that is meaningful, high-value, and avoids unnecessary and harmful interventions. Through teaching, research, and policy, she advocates for wider adoption of this patient-centred approach and stewardship at the health systems level. Her long-term goal is to equip others with the skills to scrutinize evidence and make informed choices in health. Dr. Otte is a Clinical Associate Professor in UBC’s Department of Family Practice, an Associate Member in the Division of Palliative Care, and a member of the UBC Therapeutics Initiative. She also served as Chair of the Doctors of BC Council on Health Economics and Policy and as Co-Chair of the provincial Health Technology Assessment Committee.
Dr. Aaron M Tejani, BSc (Pharm), PharmD
Aaron Tejani, is a researcher/educator with the Therapeutics Initiative (co-chair of the Education Working Group, member of the Drug Assessment Working Group), clinical assistant professor with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of British Columbia), and Medication use evaluation pharmacist with Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services (Vancouver, BC). He completed his BSc(Pharm) at UBC (Vancouver) and Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska).
ACCREDITATION
The Division of Continuing Professional Development, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Accreditation Committee (CACME) to provide CPD credits for physicians. This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by UBC CPD for up to 6.5 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.
REGISTRATION
Just click on the REGISTRATION button to register for this activity. As part of the registration process, you will receive an email containing the link to a secure payment site where you can pay the registration fee using a credit card. Once your registration form and payment are received, you will receive a confirmation email with your receipt, connection details, and more information about the program. Register before October 31 to benefit from significant “Early Bird” reduced rates!
COST
| Category | Early Bird (before October 31) |
Regular (after October 31) |
| Regular (physician, pharmacist, other healthcare professional) | $99 | $299 |
| Reduced (student, resident, patient) | $49 | $149 |
All fees are in Canadian dollars and include applicable taxes.
Registration includes: Access to the live virtual event, all available resources & materials, priority access to the post-event recordings, CME certificate.
Refunds and cancellation: If you need to cancel your registration, you can do so before November 26, 2025 and you will receive a refund of 50% of the fee paid. To cancel your registration and request your refund, please send us an email at events@ti.ubc.ca and include your name and the email address used for registration. Once the refund is issued, a credit will appear on the credit card used to pay the registration fee, your registration will be cancelled and you can no longer attend the event unless you register again.
No refunds for no-shows or cancelations after November 26, 2025.
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