Research Report
Dr. Shelley McLeod
The past year has been defined by outstanding research accomplishments from our SREMI investigators and scholars, and I am deeply proud to highlight some of these achievements. Our work continues to influence policy, practice, and patient care, reaffirming SREMI’s position as a national and international leader in emergency medicine research.
Research Impact
Over the past year, SREMI has continued to expand our academic footprint, both across Canada and globally. Our dedication to advancing emergency medicine knowledge is reflected in our impressive publication record. Since inception, SREMI researchers have published 361 manuscripts in reputable journals. From Nov 2024 to Oct 2025, our scientists produced 42 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as The BMJ, Canadian Medical Association Journal, JAMA Network Open, and Annals of Emergency Medicine. These contributions have informed best practices, influenced policy, and driven improvements in emergency care delivery.
SREMI faculty members have also made significant contributions to international knowledge exchange. At the 2025 International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM) in Montreal, our faculty served as invited speakers, track chairs, and session moderators, sharing insights that are shaping global emergency care. Between ICEM and the European Society of Emergency Medicine Conference in Vienna, SREMI faculty delivered 34 international presentations (25 in Montreal and 9 in Vienna), reflecting our strategic goal of enhancing global engagement and visibility. We set out to strengthen our international impact this year, and we succeeded.
Our success has also been recognized through competitive peer-reviewed funding. Over the past year, SREMI investigators collaborated with partners across Canada to secure 11 major research grants, totaling over $9 million. This sustained success underscores our strength as a research institute and our ability to lead and collaborate on impactful initiatives.
Beyond research output, SREMI faculty continue to play integral roles in shaping the global emergency medicine agenda. I was honoured to be selected as Vice Chair for the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) Research Group and to serve as Chair of the IFEM Research Journal Club, where we mentor emerging investigators and disseminate cutting-edge evidence to a global audience.
Mentorship and Capacity Building
Developing the next generation of emergency medicine researchers and leaders remains at the heart of SREMI’s mission. Our faculty continue to mentor medical students, residents, and fellows, equipping them with the research skills, curiosity, and resilience needed to thrive in academic medicine. This year, we increased our supervision of graduate students and provided mentorship opportunities through structured programming and collaborative forums.
Along with Dr. Catherine Varner and Dr. Keerat Grewal, I had the privilege of helping organize and moderate the University of Toronto Tri-Divisional Emergency Medicine Research Day, which showcased the breadth of academic work being done across the city. The three of us also continue to lead the Scholarly Collaboration of the Toronto Central Hospitals (SCOTCH) Rounds, a forum designed to strengthen research collaboration, share ideas, and connect trainees with mentors.
Provincial Policy and System-Level Research
SREMI continues to play a central role in shaping provincial policy and health system planning through evidence-based research. The ongoing Predictors of Workload in the Emergency Room (POWER III) study is a large, prospective, time-and-motion study involving 14 Ontario emergency departments, designed to determine how physicians allocate their time during clinical shifts. Commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health, this study will provide the empirical foundation for updating the Emergency Department Alternate Funding Arrangement (AFA) workload model, the formula used to determine physician staffing hours across Ontario and other provinces. We hope this work will influence policy, funding, and ED workforce sustainability across Canada.
Beginning in 2026, we are also leading a provincial evaluation of Scheduled Emergency Department Visits, a new model being piloted in select Ontario hospitals to accommodate low-acuity patients who self-screen or undergo virtual triage before arrival. Our team has secured funding to conduct a multi-centred, mixed-methods evaluation of this pilot program, assessing patient and provider experiences, 30-day healthcare utilization, and cost-effectiveness compared with traditional unscheduled ED visits. Because Mount Sinai Hospital does not currently offer scheduled ED visits, SREMI is uniquely positioned to serve as an independent academic evaluator in partnership with Ontario Health (OH). With Dr. Howard Ovens, Provincial Lead for Emergency Services serving as executive sponsor, we anticipate the findings will contribute directly to provincial policy development, helping the Ministry and Ontario Health make informed decisions about how best to integrate this model into the broader emergency care system.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the year ahead, SREMI remains committed to advancing emergency medicine through innovation, mentorship, and collaboration. We will continue to pursue high-impact, policy-relevant research while deepening our engagement with health system partners, community stakeholders, and academic collaborators.
None of this work would be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our faculty, staff, and trainees. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Director, Dr. Bjug Borgundvaag, for his steadfast leadership and mentorship. I also wish to thank our SREMI faculty, administrative staff, and research coordinators for their tireless commitment to excellence.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge our generous benefactors, whose continued support provides the foundation for everything we do. Together, we are shaping the future of emergency care, through research that matters, leadership that inspires, and collaboration that endures.
