Faculty profile

Merrick Zwarenstein

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ProfessorDepartment of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsWestern University

Merrick Zwarenstein

Professor

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

Western University

London, Ontario, Canada

Supervision signals

Professors usually supervise graduate students in their department's programs.
42 publications in the last five years, latest in 2026.
Senior (last) author on 13 recent papers, a sign of leading a research group.
Principal investigator on 5 research grants (5 CIHR), most recently in 2022.
Supervised 3 trainees who won CIHR awards, most recently in 2017.

These signals come from public records, including CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions. Ask the professor or the graduate program whether they are taking new students.

Academic metrics

133

Publications

899

Citations

h-index

151

Collaborators

Grants

Publications by year

Counts cover the works listed on the university profile; citation counts come from Dimensions.

Profiles and links

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Signals and details

Research

Read how they describe their research on their Western University profile.

Administrative Healthcare Data Implementation Science Methods Pragmatic Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Training Artificial Intelligence Electronic Medical Records

Latest papers

Reporting of Cohort and Routinely Collected Data in Randomised Controlled Trial Protocols (SPIRIT-ROUTINE): extension checklist with explanation and elaboration.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2026
Interprofessional learning as a mechanism for quality improvement and patient safety.
BMJ quality & safety · 2026 · senior author
A gender-sensitized lifestyle intervention powered by sport fandom in men with overweight or obesity: a 1-year cost-effectiveness analysis of the Hockey FIT Trial.
International journal of obesity (2005) · 2026

All 133 publications

Latest funding

Enhancing Patient Engagement in Scleroderma Research: A Series of Cohort-Based Randomized Controlled Trials of Tools to Improve Communication of Research Results
CIHR · 2024 · Co-investigator
$684,675
Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Supporting and Strengthening the Primary Health Care Workforce
CIHR · 2023 · Co-investigator
$45,336
Health Equity Methods and Measures Considerations for Guidelines in an Age of Digital Transformation
CIHR · 2022 · Co-investigator
$9,900

All 28 grants and awards

133 publications.

Reporting of Cohort and Routinely Collected Data in Randomised Controlled Trial Protocols (SPIRIT-ROUTINE): extension checklist with explanation and elaboration.

Kearney PM, McCarthy M, Rengarajan S, O'Keeffe LM, Avery K, Chan AW, Devane D, Davies G, Gale C, Hemkens LG, Juszczak E, Kwakkenbos L, Langan SM, Lugg-Widger F, Moher D, Schmidt M, Thabane L, Thombs BD, Toader AM, Watkins A, Farrin AJ, Zwarenstein M, Sydes MR, Williamson PR, Markham S

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)2026

DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-087095 PMID: 42285568

Interprofessional learning as a mechanism for quality improvement and patient safety.

Xyrichis A, Zwarenstein M

BMJ quality & safety2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2026-020465 PMID: 42448468

A gender-sensitized lifestyle intervention powered by sport fandom in men with overweight or obesity: a 1-year cost-effectiveness analysis of the Hockey FIT Trial.

Marsh JD, Silva NCBS, Gill DP, Riggin B, Zou G, Stranges S, Zwarenstein M, Petrella RJ

International journal of obesity (2005)2026

DOI: 10.1038/s41366-026-02106-2 PMID: 42209661

Team-based care within community health centres in Ontario, Canada and the association with emergency department visits: a population-based retrospective study.

Nash DM, Rayner J, Dixon SN, Bhatti S, Garcia-Feliz S, Kueper JK, Zhang L, Booth RG, Shariff SZ, Pow C, Zwarenstein M

BMC primary care2026Senior author

DOI: 10.1186/s12875-026-03209-5 PMID: 41652370

Protocol for a SPIRIT extension for reporting pragmatic and explanatory trial protocols designed using the PRECIS tool (SPIRIT-PRECIS)

Ng JY, Zwarenstein M, Barzideh A, Bodnaruc AM, Chan A-W, Cobey K, Edwards J, Fergusson DA, Gagnier J, King M

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology20262 citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2026.112380

Protocol for a CONSORT extension for reporting Pragmatic and Explanatory trials designed using the PRECIS tool. (CONSORT-PRECIS)

Ng JY, Zwarenstein M, Barzideh A, Bodnaruc AM, Cobey K, Edwards J, Fergusson DA, Gagnier J, King M, McGowan J

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology20261 citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2026.112379

Mailed Audit and Feedback for Antibiotic Prescribing in Primary Care

Masucci L, Schwartz K, Ivers N, Bai L, Brown K, Tadrous M, Grimshaw JM, Witteman HO, Friedman L, Langford BJ

JAMA Network Open2026

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.1641

Safety of antibiotic audit and feedback: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Schwartz KL, Bai L, Brown KA, Tadrous M, Grimshaw JM, Witteman HO, Friedman L, Langford BJ, Leung V, Gomes T

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy2026

DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkag216

Definitions of validity terms for use in discussions of randomized controlled trials.

Yazdani Y, Taljaard M, Zwarenstein M

Journal of clinical epidemiology2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2025.111752 PMID: 40054509

Comparing the CO-OP ApproachTM to Usual Occupational Therapy for Adults with Executive Dysfunction Following Acquired Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Dawson DR, Anderson ND, Bar Y, Binns MA, Chui A, Hunt AW, Nalder E, Zwarenstein M

Brain sciences2025Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/brainsci15111195 PMID: 41300202

Enhancing Patient Engagement in Scleroderma Research: A Series of Cohort-Based Randomized Controlled Trials of Tools to Improve Communication of Research Results

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Project Grant

Principal investigators: Thombs, Brett D; Hoa, Sabrina A; Lawrie-Jones, Amanda; Rice, Danielle B; Sauve, Maureen

Keywords: Knowledge Translation Tools; Patient And Citizen Engagement; Patient-Oriented Research; Randomized Controlled Trials; Research Dissemination; Systemic Sclerosis And Scleroderma

$684,675

Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Supporting and Strengthening the Primary Health Care Workforce

Co-investigatorCIHR2023Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Terry, Amanda L; Kueper, Jacqueline K; Lizotte, Daniel J

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Primary Health Care Research

$45,336

Health Equity Methods and Measures Considerations for Guidelines in an Age of Digital Transformation

Co-investigatorCIHR2022Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Pottie, Kevin; Courtice, Scott

Keywords: Ai And Technology; Guidelines; Primary Care; Public Health

$9,900

A Training Platform in Pragmatic Registry-Based Trials: Connecting Canada's Health, Data, and Biomanufacturing Sectors

Principal investigatorCIHR2022Training Grant: Clinical Trials Training Platforms

Principal investigators: Garg, Amit; Basile, Erika; Bhatia, Rajan S; Clemens, Kristin K; Dixon, Stephanie N; Ethier, Jean-Francois; Fowler, Robert A; Gagnier, Joel J; Garrison, Scott R; Grimshaw, Jeremy M; Hohl, Corinne M; Ivers, Noah M; Jairath, Vipul; James, Matthew T; Jerath, Angela; Katz, Alan; Krzyzanowska, Monika K; LeBlanc, Annie; Lee, Douglas S; Mcalister, Finlay A; McGrail, Kimberlyn M; McIntyre, Lauralyn A; Mittmann, Nicole; Naylor, Kyla; Presseau, Justin; Schull, Michael J; Sontrop, Jessica M; Spence, Jessica; Swartz, Richard; Taljaard, Monica; Tangri, Navdeep; Udell, Jacob A; Weijer, Charles E; Zwarenstein, Merrick F

Keywords: Administrative Healthcare Data; Implementation Science; Methods; Pragmatic Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial; Training

$3,479,320

A Training Platform in Pragmatic Registry-Based Trials: Connecting Canada's Health, Data, and Biomanufacturing Sectors

Principal investigatorCIHR2022Training Grant: Clinical Trials Training Platforms - Indirect Costs

Keywords: Administrative Healthcare Data; Implementation Science; Methods; Pragmatic Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial; Training

$869,831

Innovative Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Registry Trials to Improve Hemodialysis Care

Co-investigatorCIHR2019Operating Grant: SPOR Innovative Clinical Trial Multi-Year Grant

Principal investigators: Garg, Amit; Cote, Brenden B; Vorster, Arris H; Blake, Peter G; Bohm, Clara; Lacson, Jr., Eduardo; Levin, Adeera; Silver, Samuel; Tonelli, Marcello

Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness

$2,817,233

Dissemination of the CONsolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement for randomized controlled trails (RCTs) using cohorts and routinely collected health data

Co-investigatorCIHR2018Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Thombs, Brett D; Kwakkenbos, Linda

Keywords: Cohorts; Consort; Embedded Trials; Reporting Guidelines; Routinely Collected Health Data

$10,000

Ontario Healthcare Implementation Laboratory: A Learning Health System Approach that Leverages Data to Improve Quality in Primary Care

Co-investigatorCIHR2018Operating Grant: SPOR Innovative Clinical Trial Multi-Year Grant

Principal investigators: Ivers, Noah M; Garber, Gary E; Greenberg, Anna; Gomes, Tara; Grimshaw, Jeremy M; Nicholas Angl, Emily; Taljaard, Monica

Keywords: Academic Detailing; Audit And Feedback; Implementation Science; Innovative Trials; Integrated Knowledge Translation; Learning Health System; Patient Engagement; Patient-Oriented Research; Primary Care; Quality Improvement

$980,000

Developing and testing strategies to identify and support patients with chronic kidney disease in a disadvantaged Ontario primary care population

SupervisorCIHR2017CIHR Fellowship

Principal investigators: Nash, Danielle M

Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease; Electronic Medical Records; Mixed Methods Research; Primary Care; Qualitative Research; Quality Of Care

$135,000

Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT): A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial of a gender-sensitized weight loss and healthy lifestyle program for men who are overweight or obese

Co-investigatorCIHR2017Project Grant

Principal investigators: Petrella, Robert J; Sharma, Arya M

Keywords: Cluster Design; Health Behaviour Modification; Health Technology; Healthy Eating; Men'S Health; Overweight/Obese; Physical Activity; Pragmatic Research; Process Evaluation; Weight Loss

$948,600

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their CIHR grant from 2022

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Administrative Healthcare Data Dear Professor Zwarenstein, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Reporting of Cohort and Routinely Collected Data in Randomised Controlled Trial Protocols (SPIRIT-ROUTINE): extension checklist with explanation and elaboration." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your CIHR-funded project "A Training Platform in Pragmatic Registry-Based Trials: Connecting Canada's Health, Data, and Biomanufacturing Sectors" (2022), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]

Profile data last refreshed on November 9, 2025 from the university directory, publication records and CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding.

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Merrick Zwarenstein

Research

Latest papers

Latest funding

Reporting of Cohort and Routinely Collected Data in Randomised Controlled Trial Protocols (SPIRIT-ROUTINE): extension checklist with explanation and elaboration.

Interprofessional learning as a mechanism for quality improvement and patient safety.

A gender-sensitized lifestyle intervention powered by sport fandom in men with overweight or obesity: a 1-year cost-effectiveness analysis of the Hockey FIT Trial.

Team-based care within community health centres in Ontario, Canada and the association with emergency department visits: a population-based retrospective study.

Protocol for a SPIRIT extension for reporting pragmatic and explanatory trial protocols designed using the PRECIS tool (SPIRIT-PRECIS)

Protocol for a CONSORT extension for reporting Pragmatic and Explanatory trials designed using the PRECIS tool. (CONSORT-PRECIS)

Mailed Audit and Feedback for Antibiotic Prescribing in Primary Care

Safety of antibiotic audit and feedback: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Definitions of validity terms for use in discussions of randomized controlled trials.

Comparing the CO-OP ApproachTM to Usual Occupational Therapy for Adults with Executive Dysfunction Following Acquired Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Frequent collaborators

Monica Taljaard

Charles Weijer

David Moher

Jennifer Rayner

Jennifer Rayner

Jennifer Rayner

Jennifer Rayner

Justin Presseau

An-Wen Chan

Amit Garg

Guangyong Zou

Jamie Brehaut

Monique van Lettow

Onil Bhattacharyya

Danielle Rice

Lehana Thabane

Jennifer Shuldiner

Noah Ivers

Kednapa Thavorn

Gary Garber

Allan Donner

Nick Daneman

Monica Taljaard

Noah Ivers

Rudolf Uher

Kednapa Thavorn

Tara Gomes

Bradley Langford

Neil Klar

Mina Tadrous

Michael Walsh

Ariella Binik

Saverio Stranges

Michael Silverman

Malcolm King

Kednapa Thavorn

Joel Gagnier

Kelly Cobey

Nicole Mittmann

Ron Beleno