Brian Rowe, MD, MSc, CCFP(EM), FCFP, FCCP, FCAHS

Area of Study / Keywords

emergency medicine acute care research methods

About

Dr. Brian Rowe is currently appointed as Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. He is involved in research related to acute respiratory (e.g., asthma, COPD, pneumonia, etc.), cardiovascular (e.g., chest pain, atrial fibrillation and heart failure), neurological (e.g., migraine headache and concussion), injury prevention (e.g., cycling, E-scooters, head injuries) and health system functioning (e.g., Choosing Wisely, overcrowding).  

Research

My group and I have published 636 peer-reviewed manuscripts (h-index = 115). Selected recent publications:

1. Rowe BH, Corrick S, Yang E, Hussain MW. Reducing computed tomography (CT) imaging for adults with minor traumatic brain injuries in the emergency department. BMJ 2024 Aug 13; 386. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-074867.
2.    Kirkland SW, Meyer J, Visser L, Campbell S, FriedmanS, Villa-Roel C, Essel NO, Rowe BH. The effectiveness of parenteral agents to mitigate relapses after severe acute migraine headache presentations: A systematic review and network analysis. Headache. 2024; 64:1181-1199. doi:10.1111/head.1484.
3.    Rowe BH, Yang EH, Doran S, Graham M, Van Diepen S, Raizman JE, Tsui AKY. Implementation of a high-sensitivity troponin assay for adult patients presenting to the emergency department: the role of clinical decision support. CJC Open. 2024 Sep 29; 6(12):1491-1500. doi: 10.1016/j.cjco.2024.09.010.
4. Lesyk N, Kirkland SW, Villa-Roel C, Campbell S, Krebs LD, Sevcik W, Essel NO, Rowe BH. Interventions to reduce imaging in children with minor traumatic head injury: A systematic review. Pediatrics. 2024 Dec 1; 154*6):e2024066955. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066955. 
5. Bristow E, Marin J, Couperthwaite S, Picard C, Yang E, Rowe BH. Electric scooter injury and trauma in Edmonton: A multi-center prospective and retrospective observational study. Can J Surg. 2025 Apr 17; 68(2):E160-E168. doi: 10.1503/cjs.004924.
6. Rowe BH, Kirkland SW. The role of the Emergency Departments in identifying, managing and referring patients with palliative care needs. Ann Palliat Med. 2025; 14(3):312-316. doi: 10.21037/apm-2

Teaching

The EMeRG team has a robust summer studentship program for undergraduates and graduate students.  

Milestone: Celebrated my 34th wedding anniversary to Katharyn Webb on May 18, 2025. Thanks to my best friend for sticking with me on the journey! Son Bradley and wife Evyn (Haberstock) delivered our first grandchild (Finnley John Rowe) in Kelowna on June 22nd, 2025! Son Stewart, and wife Kirsten (Puznak), are both busy clinicians in Edmonton. Stewart just completed his PGY-3 Chief Resident's year in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PMR) residency at the University of Alberta.

Student success: Britt Voaklander, BSc, MSc, MD - former summer student with EMeRG staff - completed her MD degree at McMaster University Medical School and sis a PGY-2 in Internal Medicine Residency. Congratulations Britt! Another former EMeRG summer student - Dr. Gary Sandhar- just finished his residency and has started practice in Kamloops, BC. Congratulations Gary!