Update 2026: Insomnia Best Practice is Not What It Used to Be

Presenter

Dr. David Gardner
BScPharm, PharmD, MSc,
ACPR, CH&E
Dalhousie University

Dr. Gardner is trained in pharmacy, community health, and epidemiology from the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and Dalhousie University. His work focuses on improving mental health care through research, education, and implementation. He co-developed the Sleepwell research and knowledge mobilization program, which promotes evidence-based approaches to managing insomnia and reducing reliance on sedative medications. He also co-developed the Bloom Program, a province-wide community pharmacy–based service that supports people living with mental illness and addictions through enhanced pharmacist services and collaborative care. His research spans insomnia management, pharmacoepidemiology, psychotropic medication uses and safety, and the enhancement of community-based mental health services. Dr. Gardner was named one of Canada’s 150 Difference Makers in Mental Health by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and in 2024, he received the Award of Excellence in Education from Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine. 

Session Information

Description

Insomnia care has shifted dramatically—hours of sleep are no longer the sole goal, and sedatives are not the solution. This session will guide participants through the latest guideline-based recommendations for first- and second-line therapies, with a strong focus on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the cornerstone of treatment. Attendees will learn how to integrate CBT-I referrals and resources into practice and gain practical strategies to enable and support sedative deprescribing using evidence-based interventions. Discover how modern approaches can improve patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications, while addressing the root causes of insomnia.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe practice guideline recommendations of first- and second-line therapy for insomnia.
• Integrate referrals, resources, and support of cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia in your patient care activities.
• Enable and support sedative deprescribing using evidence-based interventions.