Ian’s research interests focus on clinical aspects of prehospital medicine including life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest, sepsis, and trauma. He is experienced in research methodology in systematic reviews, observational research through the use of large epidemiologic datasets, and randomized controlled trials in the prehospital setting. Ian has an H-index of 33 (Web of Science, Feb 2025) and has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has received over $8 million in research funding as PI or co-investigator including funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), the University of Toronto, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Ian is the past recipient of a Young Investigator Award from the American Heart Association (AHA) and has presented his research at numerous National and International conferences.
In addition to his PhD work, Ian is a member of a number of committees related to paramedic practice and research, including the Canadian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (CanROC) Pediatric Resuscitation committee, a Decision Editor for the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, and peer reviewer for a number of medical journals. He is the current Chair of the International Liaison Committee of Resuscitation (ILCOR) Advanced Life Support (ALS) taskforce and Vice-Chair and Senior Science Editor for the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC.
Education
- PhD, 2020, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
- ACP, 2013, Advanced Care Paramedic Diploma, Durham College
- PCP, 2008, Primary Care Paramedic Diploma, Humber College
- BScHK, 2006, Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Guelph
Appointments & Affiliations
- Affiliate Scientist, Integrated Community Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto
- Assistant Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
- Affiliate Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital Paramedic Scientist, Ornge Air Ambulance and Critical Care Transport
Research Foci
- Acute resuscitation
- Cardiac arrest
- Critical Care Transport
- Paramedicine
- Prehospital Medicine
Publications
Affiliated Labs & Programs
Selected Publications
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Drennan IR, Lee J, Heroux JP, Lee A, Riches J, Peppler J, Poitras A, Cheskes S. The impact of real-time feedback on ventilation quality during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A before-and-after study. Resuscitation. 2024 18:110381. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39299509/
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Cheskes S, Verbeek PR, Drennan IR, McLeod SL, Turner L, Pinto R, Feldman M, Davis M, Vaillancourt C, Morrison LJ, Dorian P, Scales DC. Defibrillation Strategies for Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation. New England Journal of Medicine. Nov 6 2022. 387: 1947-1956.
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Drennan IR, Thorpe KE, Cheskes S, Mamdani M, Scales D, Morrison LJ. Predicting Survival Post-Cardiac Arrest: An Observational Cohort Study. Resuscitation Plus. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37662643/
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Lavonas EJ, Akpunonu PD, Arens AM, Babu KM, Cao D, Hoffman RS, Hoyte CO, Mazer-Amirshahi ME, Stolbach A, St-Onge M, Thompson TM, Wang GS, Hoover AV, Drennan IR; on behalf of the American Heart Association. 2023 American Heart Association focused update on the management of patients with cardiac arrest or life-threatening toxicity due to poisoning: an update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721023/
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Greif R, Bray JE, Djarv T, Drennan IR, Liley HG, Ng KC, Cheng A, Douma MJ, Scholefield BR, Smyth M, Weiner G, Abelairas-Gomez C, et al. 2024 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science with Treatment Recommendations. Summary From the Basic Life Support; Advanced Life Support; Pediatric Life Support; Neonatal Life Support; Education, Implementation, and Teams; and First Aid Task Forces.