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Psychology

Dr Elaine Toomey

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Contact Details

Contract Research Appointment
Health Behaviour Change Research Group,
Room 2058, School of Psychology,
Arts Millennium Building,
National University of Ireland Galway

T: Ext. 4458
E: ELAINE.TOOMEY@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Elaine is a HRB Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement (ICE) post-doctoral research fellow, and a chartered physiotherapist. She is currently involved in the development of a complex intervention to enhance infant feeding practices with a goal of improving childhood obesity outcomes. She also works clinically part-time in a physiotherapy practice. Elaine recently completed a Visiting Scientist placement at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Ontario, Canada.

Before joining the Health Behaviour Change Research Group in NUI Galway, Elaine graduated with First Class Honours in Physiotherapy (BSc) from the University of Limerick in 2010. She subsequently received a fully funded MSc scholarship to explore clinical interventions for non-ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2016 she completed a fully funded PhD in University College Dublin which used mixed methods to investigate implementation fidelity within behaviour change interventions to promote self-management in people with chronic low back pain and/or osteoarthritis.

Elaine's research interests include clinical trials, mixed methods, implementation science (particularly fidelity assessment and process evaluations), health behaviour change, chronic pain, childhood obesity and narrowing the gap between research and practice. In 2016 Elaine was awarded a Leamer-Rosenthal Prize for Open Social Science for Emerging Researchers from the University of California Berkeley for her work in fidelity and transparency of behaviour change interventions. Stemming from this, she is also a Catalyst for the Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS).

Research Interests

Mixed methods, process evaluations, implementation science, fidelity, clinical trials, knowledge translation, chronic pain, public health, behaviour change, childhood obesity

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2017) 'Behaviour change and self-management interventions in persistent low back pain'
Mansell, G; Hall, A; Toomey, E. (2017) 'Behaviour change and self-management interventions in persistent low back pain'. Best Practice & Research In Clinical Rheumatology, [Details]
(2017) 'Using mixed methods to assess fidelity of delivery and its influencing factors in a complex self-management intervention for people with osteoarthritis and low back pain'
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Hurley, D. (2017) 'Using mixed methods to assess fidelity of delivery and its influencing factors in a complex self-management intervention for people with osteoarthritis and low back pain'. BMJ Open, 7 (8) [Details]
(2017) 'Augmenting home exercise programmes in multiple sclerosis with ‘exercise buddies’: A pilot study'
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2017) 'Augmenting home exercise programmes in multiple sclerosis with ‘exercise buddies’: A pilot study'. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 24 (2):54-61 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Sexual counselling for patients with cardiovascular disease: protocol for a pilot study of the CHARMS sexual counselling intervention'
Murphy, Patrick J,Mc Sharry, Jenny,Casey, Dympna,Doherty, Sally,Gillespie, Paddy,Jaarsma, Tiny,Murphy, Andrew W,Newell, John,O'Donnell, Martin,Steinke, Elaine E,Toomey, Elaine,Byrne, Molly (2016) 'Sexual counselling for patients with cardiovascular disease: protocol for a pilot study of the CHARMS sexual counselling intervention'. BMJ Open, 6 (66) [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2016) 'Sexual counselling for patients with cardiovascular disease: protocol for a pilot study of the CHARMS sexual counselling intervention'
Murphy P, McSharry J, Casey D, Doherty S, Gillespie P, Jaarsma T, Murphy A, Newell J, O'Donnell M, Steinke E, Toomey E, Byrne M (2016) 'Sexual counselling for patients with cardiovascular disease: protocol for a pilot study of the CHARMS sexual counselling intervention'. BMJ Open, [Details]
(2016) 'Using intervention mapping to develop a theory-driven, group-based complex intervention to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain (SOLAS)'
Hurley DA;Murphy LC;Hayes D;Hall AM;Toomey E;McDonough SM;Lonsdale C;Walsh NE;Guerin S;Matthews J; (2016) 'Using intervention mapping to develop a theory-driven, group-based complex intervention to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain (SOLAS)'. Implementation science : IS, 11 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Development of a Feasible Implementation Fidelity Protocol Within a Complex Physical Therapy-Led Self-Management Intervention'
Toomey E;Matthews J;Guerin S;Hurley DA; (2016) 'Development of a Feasible Implementation Fidelity Protocol Within a Complex Physical Therapy-Led Self-Management Intervention'. Physical therapy, 96 (8) [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Implementation fidelity of physiotherapist-delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management in people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part II'
Toomey E;Currie-Murphy L;Matthews J;Hurley DA; (2015) 'Implementation fidelity of physiotherapist-delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management in people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part II'. Manual Therapy, 20 (2) [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'The effectiveness of physiotherapist-delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management for people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part I'
Toomey E;Currie-Murphy L;Matthews J;Hurley DA; (2015) 'The effectiveness of physiotherapist-delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management for people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part I'. Manual Therapy, 20 (2) [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Exploring the use of ‘Exercise Buddies’ to augment physiotherapy in the community for people with Multiple Sclerosis'
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2013) 'Exploring the use of ‘Exercise Buddies’ to augment physiotherapy in the community for people with Multiple Sclerosis'. Physiotherapy Ireland, 34 (2):67-74 [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 'Between-rater reliability of the 6-minute walk test, berg balance scale, and handheld dynamometry in people with multiple sclerosis'
Toomey E;Coote S; (2013) 'Between-rater reliability of the 6-minute walk test, berg balance scale, and handheld dynamometry in people with multiple sclerosis'. International journal of MS care, 15 (1) [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Physical rehabilitation interventions in nonambulatory people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review'
Toomey E;Coote SB; (2012) 'Physical rehabilitation interventions in nonambulatory people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review'. International Journal Of Rehabilitation Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fu¿R Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue Internationale De Recherches De Re¿Adaptation, 35 (4) [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2016) The Society for Back Pain Research Conference
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Hurley, D.A. (2016) ‘Exploring implementation fidelity of a complex behavior change self-management intervention for people with chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis’ The Society for Back Pain Research Conference [Details]
(2016) OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis
Hurley, D.A., Currie-Murphy, L., Hayes, D., Hall, A.M., Toomey, E., McDonough, S.M., Lonsdale, C., Walsh, N.E., Guerin, S. and Matthews, J. (2016) ‘Development of a complex group self-management intervention and feasibility trial for osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain’ OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis [Details]
(2015) The Society for Back Pain Research Conference
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Currie-Murphy, L; Hurley, D.A. (2015) ‘Implementation fidelity of physiotherapist- delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management in people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part II’ The Society for Back Pain Research Conference [Details]
(2015) The Society for Back Pain Research Conference
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Currie-Murphy, L; Hurley, D.A. (2015) ‘The effectiveness of physiotherapist- delivered group education and exercise interventions to promote self-management for people with osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain: a rapid review part I’ The Society for Back Pain Research Conference [Details]
(2013) 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, 18th Annual Conference of Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2013) ‘Augmenting physiotherapy home exercise programmes: a pilot evaluation of the ‘exercise buddy’ model’ 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, 18th Annual Conference of Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Copenhagen, Denmark, [Details]
(2012) 17th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2012) ‘Rehabilitation and management of physical function in non-ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis - a systematic review’ 17th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2017) International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference,
Toomey, E (2017) 'Assessing implementation fidelity in clinical trials of behaviour change interventions'. [Oral Presentation], International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference, Liverpool, UK , 08-MAY-17 - 10-MAY-17. [Details]
(2016) International Back and Neck Pain Forum,
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Hurley, DA (2016) Exploring implementation fidelity of the SOLAS complex behaviour change intervention involving all stakeholders'. [Oral Presentation], International Back and Neck Pain Forum, Buxton, UK , 02-JUN-16. [Details]
(2016) International Back and Neck Pain Forum,
Toomey, E (2016) Round Table Panel: Emerging Themes. [Other], International Back and Neck Pain Forum, Buxton, UK , 03-JUN-16. [Details]
(2016) SPHERE Network 2nd Annual Conference,
Toomey, E, Matthews, J. and Hurley, D.A. (2016) ‘Addressing implementation fidelity within behaviour change interventions in Irish primary care’. [Oral Presentation], SPHERE Network 2nd Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 29-FEB-16. [Details]
(2015) 12th Annual Psychology, Health & Medicine Conference,
Toomey, E; Matthews, J; Hurley, D.A. (2015) ‘The development of an implementation fidelity protocol in a complex behaviour-change self-management intervention for people with chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis (methodology paper)’. [Oral Presentation], 12th Annual Psychology, Health & Medicine Conference, Belfast, UK , 01-APR-15. [Details]
(2012) 17th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference,
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2012) ‘Rehabilitation and management of physical function in non-ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis - a systematic review’. [Oral Presentation], 17th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference, Hamburg, Germany , 01-MAY-12 - 03-MAY-12. [Details]
(2011) 16th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference,
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2011) 'Augmenting Community Physiotherapy for Non-ambulatory People with Multiple Sclerosis: Development of an Exercise Buddy System'. [Poster Presentation], 16th Annual Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis (RIMS) Conference, Turku, Finland , 13-MAY-11. [Details]
(2010) 27th Annual Conference of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference,
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2010) 'What do you mean, you want physiotherapy? A Focus Group Study of the Perceptions of Physiotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Who Use a Walking Aid'. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], 27th Annual Conference of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Conference, Limerick, Ireland , 12-NOV-10. [Details]
(2009) HRB Summer Scholarship Presentations,
Toomey, E; Coote, S (2009) 'Between Rater Reliability of the Six Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale and Handheld Dynamometry in People with Multiple Sclerosis with Varying Levels of Disability'. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], HRB Summer Scholarship Presentations, Dublin, Ireland , 10-DEC-09. [Details]

Blog

  Year Publication
(2017) Opening the ‘black box’: the need for fidelity and process evaluations of behaviour change interventions.
Toomey, E (2017) Opening the ‘black box’: the need for fidelity and process evaluations of behaviour change interventions. Blog [Details]
(2017) From Galway to San Francisco - The Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences.
Toomey, E (2017) From Galway to San Francisco - The Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences. Blog [Details]
(2015) Self-management for people with back pain and osteoarthritis - reviewing the evidence.
Toomey, E (2015) Self-management for people with back pain and osteoarthritis - reviewing the evidence. Blog [Details]

Invited Seminars

  Year Publication
(2017) Exploring Implementation Fidelity within Complex Behaviour Change Interventions: from physiotherapy to public health.
Toomey, E; (2017) Exploring Implementation Fidelity within Complex Behaviour Change Interventions: from physiotherapy to public health. Invited Seminars [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2017 HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network Summer Studentship grant (2000e) HRB-TMRN
2017 Catalyst Grant ($4150) Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences
2016 Leamer-Rosenthal Emerging Researcher Prize for Open Social Science ($10000) University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences)
2016 HRB Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement Postdoctoral Fellowship Health Research Board (Awarded to PI Prof Patricia Kearney)
2015 Society for Back Pain Research Travel Bursary (£200stg) SBPR
2015 Institute of Sport and Health Bursary (750e) Institute of Sport and Health, UCD
2014 Society for Back Pain Research Travel Bursary (£200stg) SBPR
2013 Society for Back Pain Research Travel Bursary (£200stg) SBPR
2013 HRB PhD Studentship (UCD) Health Research Board (HRA_HSR/2012/24 awarded to Deirdre A. Hurley)
2010 MSc. Research Scholarship (UL) MS Ireland/National Lottery (grant awarded to Dr. Susan Coote)
2009 Health Research Board Summer Studentship Award (2000e) HRB

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Chartered Physiotherapist /
Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Research Network Steering committee member /
Society of Social Medicine Full member /
Society of Back Pain Research Full member /
British Medical Acupuncture Society Full member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
ISCP Research Network Steering Committee Committee member /
Research Strategy Committee (School of Psychology) Committee member /

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2016 University College Dublin PhD Implementation Science
2012 University of Limerick Msc Physiotherapy through Research
2010 University of Limerick BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Other Activities

  Description

https://youtu.be/q0u0mhPBxOk Interview from UC Berkeley BITSS annual meeting - explaining importance of fidelity and transparency in behaviour change interventions

http://www.uea.ac.uk/health-sciences/school-seminars/hsc-seminars-2017 Video of invited seminar at University of East Anglia health science centre seminar series 2017

https://youtu.be/MaC1zQpdgdo Video - Leamer-Rosenthal awards ceremony, UC Berkeley December 2016

Teaching Interests

Research methods, implementation science, behaviour change, health research, chronic pain conditions