Primary Care Expert Series 2026

APRIL 21, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Assess and diagnose depression using a structured approach, including key “don’t miss” presentations and mimics such as bipolar spectrum features, trauma related conditions, substance use, sleep disorders, grief, and medical contributors.
2. Stratify patients by severity, suicide risk, and functional impairment to guide urgency, follow up planning, safety supports, and escalation, including when emergency assessment is indicated.
3. Manage depression stepwise in youth, perinatal patients, and older adults, including treatment selection and titration, managing partial response and side effects, and knowing when to switch, augment, or refer.

Speaker

Dr. Jon Davine, MD, FCFP, FRCPC
Dr. Jon Davine is an Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and the Department of Family Medicine. His outpatient psychiatry practice focuses on shared care mental health support for primary care clinicians. He is a past Chair of the Council of Psychiatric Continuing Education, affiliated with the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

APRIL 28, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Describe an evidence-based assessment approach to erectile dysfunction and LUTS, including medical and medication contributors
2. Summarize first-line management options for ED and LUTS and appropriate monitoring in primary care
3. Identify when testosterone testing is appropriate and when referral to urology or endocrinology is indicated

Speaker

Dr. Dean Elterman, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Dr. Dean Elterman is a urologist specializing in men’s health and functional urology. He holds the Lang Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Innovation at University Health Network and serves as Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Rehabilitation Clinic at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He is Fellowship Director in Functional Urology at Toronto Western Hospital and the lead author of the Canadian Guidelines for Male LUTS/BPH. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto.

MAY 5, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Differentiate benign rashes from dangerous presentations, including SCAR (SJS/TEN, DRESS, AGEP), vasculitic and infectious etiologies, using a primary care triage framework.
2. Use a high-yield history (medications, timing, mucosal involvement, systemic symptoms, exposures) to identify likely causes and outline immediate actions, including what to stop, what to monitor, and what to document.
3. Determine urgency of escalation (ED vs urgent specialist referral vs outpatient follow-up) and initiate appropriate initial investigations and supportive care while awaiting specialist input.

Speaker
To be announced soon.

MAY 12, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Recognize common ECG findings encountered in primary care and understand their clinical significance.
2. Apply ECG findings to guide initial management decisions and appropriate follow-up in presentations such as chest pain, palpitations, and syncope.
2. Identify high-risk ECG patterns and clinical contexts that warrant ED referral or urgent cardiology assessment.

Speaker
To be announced soon.

MAY 19, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Recognize pediatric red flags and severity cues that indicate higher-risk illness
2. Describe evidence-based first-line outpatient management for common pediatric conditions in primary care
3. Identify situations requiring ED referral, urgent specialist consultation, or safeguarding action

Speaker

Dr. Elana Thau, BHSc, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Elana Thau is a paediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physician at SickKids. She serves as Program Director of the Simulation Fellowship in the Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine and is a Simulation Instructor with the SickKids Learning Institute. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. Her work focuses on simulation-based education and structured approaches to high-risk clinical assessment.

MAY 26, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Describe who is an appropriate candidate for menopausal hormone therapy and factors that guide route, regimen, and dose
2. Explain key counselling points on benefits, risks, contraindications, and expected symptom response using shared decision-making
3. Identify common scenarios that require further assessment, treatment adjustment, or referral

Speaker

Dr. Shafeena Premji, MD, MHA, CCFP, FCFP, MSCP
Dr. Shafeena Premji is a nationally recognized family physician and menopause care leader dedicated to compassionate, evidence-based, individualized care. She serves as a Board Director of the Canadian Menopause Society and as a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. She is the Founder and Medical Director of women’s health–focused clinics, including Milestone, the Menopause Centre of Southern Alberta, opening April 2026.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Apply a structured approach to obesity assessment in primary care, including staging, comorbidity screening, and identifying who benefits most from medication.
2. Select and sequence anti-obesity pharmacotherapy using an evidence-based approach, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin agents, with practical guidance on dosing, titration, and expected response.
3. Manage follow-up safely and effectively, including monitoring parameters, side effects, stopping rules, weight regain prevention, and when to co-manage or refer.

Speaker

Dr. Megha Poddar, MD, FRCPC, DABOM
Dr. Megha Poddar is an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist. She serves as Medical Director of the Medical Weight Management Centre of Canada and is an author of the Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. She has published extensively in obesity management and holds an academic appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at McMaster University. Her clinical work focuses on evidence-based obesity treatment, including pharmacotherapy and long-term weight management.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Interpret eGFR and urine ACR patterns and describe how to confirm CKD appropriately in primary care
2. Summarize kidney-protective strategies in patients with diabetes, including medication selection and dose adjustment considerations
3. Identify high-risk features that warrant nephrology referral and outline appropriate follow-up planning

Speaker

Dr. Philip McFarlane, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)
Dr. Philip McFarlane is a nephrologist specializing in chronic kidney disease and diabetes. He serves as Medical Director of Home Dialysis and Chief Nephrologist of the Live Kidney Donor Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

OCTOBER 6, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Describe a structured approach to cognitive screening and assessment of reversible contributors
2. Differentiate delirium from cognitive impairment using clinical features and identify when urgent assessment is required
3. Identify indications for referral and outline follow-up planning, caregiver supports, and community resources

Speaker

Dr. Samir K. Sinha, MD, DPhil, FRCPC, FCAHS, AGSF
Dr. Samir Sinha is a geriatrician and health policy leader. He serves as Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University and is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is a Staff Geriatrician at Sinai Health and previously served as Director of Geriatrics for Sinai Health and the University Health Network. He has advised the Government of Canada on seniors’ health and dementia strategy and led the development of Canada’s National Long-Term Care Services Standard.

OCTOBER 13, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Identify high-risk medication patterns and common prescribing cascades in older adults
2. Describe a stepwise, evidence-based deprescribing approach, including patient counselling and monitoring considerations
3. Recognize safer alternatives and practical risk-mitigation strategies for managing pain, sleep, and anxiety in older adults

Speaker
To be announced soon.

OCTOBER 20, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Apply a structured approach to common MSK presentations in primary care (such as back, hip and knee pain) to determine when imaging is indicated and when it is not, bearing in mind the principles of radiation exposure  
2. Select appropriate first-line imaging and interpret key imaging report terminology that changes management
3. Recognize red flags and “don’t miss” findings across age groups that warrant urgent imaging, ED referral, or specialist assessment

Speaker

Dr. Bruce Forster, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Bruce Forster is a musculoskeletal radiologist and Professor of Radiology at the University of British Columbia. He serves as Lead Radiologist for the International Olympic Committee Medical and Scientific Committee. He previously served as University Department Head, Department of Radiology at the University of British Columbia and as Director of Diagnostic Imaging for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics Games.

OCTOBER 27, 2026
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM ET

Learning objectives
1. Apply a practical framework to contraceptive selection that integrates patient priorities, medical eligibility, and comorbidities
2. Describe counselling points on effectiveness, bleeding changes, adverse effects, practical use, and follow-up
3. Identify contraindications, clinically meaningful drug interactions, and red flags that require method change, urgent assessment, or specialist referral

Speaker
To be announced soon.