Second Annual Conference

conference banner

The second annual virtual conference took place on April 22, 23, 28, and 29, 2026, offering a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and deeper engagement with pragmatic clinical trial protocols currently under development across Canada.

Bringing together learners, future trialists, clinicians, and researchers from diverse disciplines, the conference showcased the work of eight trial leaders who have developed their protocols through this program. It offered a unique space to explore emerging research, exchange ideas, and build connections within a growing national community of practice.

Over four days, participants had the opportunity to attend presentations on innovative trial designs and implementation strategies. Each session highlighted both the scientific and practical considerations involved in developing impactful, patient-centred studies.

Day 1: April 22, 2026

Session 1

  • Opening remarks by Dr. Amit Garg. 
  • Trial presentation by Dr. Monali Malvankar titled "A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Clinical-effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of EPInephrine for patients with Cataract (EPIC)"
  • Panel discussion with Dr. Cindy Hutnik and Dr. Bo Li.
  • Audience Questions.

 

 

Session 2

  • Trial presentation by Dr. Sanjay Murthy titled "Impact Assessment of a Prediction Model-Guided Strategy vs. Standard Care for Colonoscopy Timing in IBD: Implications for Clinical Adoption, Early Neoplasia Detection, and Procedural Burden"
  • Panel Discussion with HDRN Steering Committee including Dr. Dean Fergusson, Dr. Monica Taljaard, Dr. Cory Goldstein, Dr. Jamie Brehaut, and Dr. Stuart Nicholls.

 

Day 2: April 23, 2026

Session 1

  • Trial presentation by Dr. Calvin Ke titled "A Pragmatic Trial Protocol: Culturally Adapted Self-Management Support for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Ontario's Ethnoculturally Diverse Population"
  • Panel Discussion with Dr. David Campbell and Dr. Safia Chatur.

 

Session 2

  • Trial presentation by Dr. Mahesh Nagappa titled "Implementation of a Multi-faceted Opioid-Use Reduction Strategy for South Western Ontario: A Pragmatic Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial"
  • Panel Discussion with Dr. Geoff Bellingham and Dr. Stephen Kutcher.

 

Day 3: April 28, 2026

Session 1

  • Trial presentation by Dr. Kyla Naylor titled "Supporting Patients with Kidney Failure in Accessing a Kidney Transplant"
  • Panel discussion with Susan McKenzie and Dr. Kevin Yau.

Session 2

  • Presentation by Dr. Ahmed Al-Jaishi titled "How We Build Weekly Pragmatic Trial Modules"

Day 4: April 29, 2026

Session 1

  • Trial presentation by Dr. Sabrina Hoa titled "Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare the Effectiveness of An Early Immunosuppression Strategy versus Standard of Care to Prevent Disease Progression in Early Systemic Sclerosis wiith Limited Skin Involvement: A Pilot Feasibility Study (LIMIT-SSc)"
  • Panel discussion with Dr. Marie Hudson and Dr. Brett Thombs.

Session 2

  • Presentation by Dr.  Marco De Tubino Scanavino titled "Therapeutic Risk Management for Violent Behaviour of Psychiatry Inpatients: A Pragmatic Pilot Study"
  • Panel discussion with Dr. Gerry Johnston and Dr. Bin Luo