Research in emergency medicine (EM) guides improvements in emergency patient care. Research helps to identify and standardize the best care to optimize patient outcomes.

Fostering a rich research environment requires funding, education, and a rigorous peer-review process. The CAEP Research Committee is pleased to support the development of EM-related research skills across Canada by administering two annual programs: the CAEP Grant Competition and the CAEP Abstract Competition.

Abstracts are the core of the research competition. This year for CAEP 2020 in Ottawa, we had 3 submission categories: research, education, and quality improvement and patient safety, as well as subcategories for quantitative research, qualitative research and education innovations. We continued to expand the abstract program as we introduced two new Choosing Wisely Canada abstract awards. We received 322 abstract submissions from EM researchers from across Canada and internationally, where the top-ranked abstracts will be presented at the research plenary session. In addition, the best resident, pediatric, new investigator, education innovation, venous thromboembolism (VTE), quality improvement and patient safety, and medical student abstracts submitted by CAEP members are awarded financially to subsidize conference travel expenses.

With the generous donations made by our EM colleagues, we were able to provide two EMAF grants of $10,000 this year, as well as fund the Grizzly Den competition which takes place on Wednesday, June 3. In this highly entertaining track, researchers will “pitch” their research and try to convince the Grizzlies to fund their study for up to $10,000. As well we awarded more than $33,000 to nine projects focusing on aims to reduce venous thromboembolism, innovative educational program, QIPS, and junior investigator led initiatives. We hope to continue to expand the grants program and are looking to you for assistance, so remember to support your EM research colleagues through the EM Advancement Fund (www.TheEMAF.org).

CAEP also introduced the new CIHR-ICRH/CAEP Mid-Career Lecturer Award in Emergency Medicine; a 3-year partnership which allows the recipient to deliver a plenary presentation at the annual CAEP conference. The purpose of establishing this annual award by the CIHR-ICRH and CAEP is to recognize an individual's outstanding contribution to the advancement of emergency medicine in Canada and internationally at the mid-point of their career.

The hours of work that our volunteer reviewers contribute is critical to the success of the Research Committee activities during the busy abstract and grant competitions. Each submission is thoroughly read, reviewed, and scored by at least three experienced reviewers. The Research Committee would like to thank the reviewers for their contribution and recognize their commitment to support EM research.

The Research Committee would like to acknowledge the substantial effort of CAEP staff, particularly Shanna Scarrow and Kelly Wyatt, in coordinating the grant and abstract competitions, and in preparing the CAEP conference research program and CJEM research supplement.

Disclaimer: The large number of submitted abstracts and the deadlines associated with publication do not permit the author communication, abstract revisions, or CJEM editorial review. The abstracts are presented, as they were submitted to the Research Committee. Only the author affiliation supplied by the presenting author is specified.

Note: The CAEP 2020 Conference was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.