Beyond Glycemic Control: From Evidence to Action in Diabetes Care; Empowering PAs to Bridge the Gap with SGLT2i & GLP-1 RAs
November 7, 2025 from 3:00pm MST to 4:00pm MST
Recent updates to the Diabetes Canada guidelines emphasize a stepwise approach to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) management, with increasing focus on two key medication classes: SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists. These therapies are now prioritized for T2D patients with comorbidities such as ASCVD, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease, not only for glycemic control, but also for their proven cardiovascular and renal benefits.
However, despite strong supporting evidence, real-world adoption of these therapies remains limited. A quality analysis at LMC endocrinology clinics, where I currently work, found that only 35.7% of 23,357 patients with T2DM and the above-mentioned comorbidities were taking both recommended agents. In my experience working in family medicine and endocrinology, I have observed several factors contributing to the low uptake of these medications. These include limited provider familiarity, hesitation from both clinicians and patients around newer evidence, and patient-level barriers such as cost, access, and tolerability.
I believe PAs across all clinical settings are uniquely positioned to help close this care gap by collaborating with physicians, educating patients, and advocating on their behalf.
During this presentation, I will outline a stepwise approach to diabetes management, highlight key updates to the Diabetes Canada guidelines, particularly regarding SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists through discussion of landmark trials such as FLOW, and discuss practical dosing adjustments for patients with renal or hepatic impairment. My goal is to share evidence-based insights and practical tools that empower colleagues to deliver high-quality diabetes care and ensure every eligible patient receives optimal therapy.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to:
- Describe key updates from the Diabetes Canada guidelines, with a focus on the expanded role of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in managing patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and comorbidities such as ASCVD, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease
- Analyze findings from the FLOW trial and interpret the clinical implications of semaglutide on renal outcomes and cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with T2D
- Implement appropriate dosing adjustments for diabetes medications in patients with varying degrees of renal or hepatic impairment
- Recognize common barriers to the uptake of new antidiabetic therapies, including provider hesitancy, patient-related challenges, and healthcare system limitations
- Develop actionable strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasizing the unique and expanding role of PAs in education, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration in diabetes care
Speakers / Panelists
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Beyond Glycemic Control: From Evidence to Action in Diabetes Care; Empowering PAs to Bridge the Gap with SGLT2i & GLP-1 RAs
November 7, 2025 from 3:00pm MST to 4:00pm MST
Parastoo Tashakorinia
Hons B.Sc, BScPA, CCPA
Parastoo Tashakorinia
Parastoo Tashakorinia, Hons B.Sc, BScPA, CCPA, is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant currently working in endocrinology at LMC Bayview. After graduating from the University of Toronto’s Physician Assistant program in 2023, she began her career in family medicine before transitioning to endocrinology, where she now provides clinical care and contributes to research as a sub-investigator on various studies.
Parastoo is passionate about staying current with emerging medical evidence and evolving guidelines, and she continuously strives to integrate the latest data into her clinical practice.
Outside of work, Parastoo enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and working out.