Profiles
Dr John Downey
Lecturer in Digital Health
School of Nursing and Midwifery (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
John has an applied background having worked across the NHS, public health, and in the community. John has an academic interest in the adoption of person centred care, and health behaviour change practices, to support the self-management of chronic diseases. John specialises in implementation science and evaluation methodologies to support transformation and organisational change. John's current focus is on understanding, and supporting, how digital innovations are created, navigated, and translated to routine practice across healthcare.
Qualifications
PhD in Health Science- St Mary's University (2022)
PgCert Academic Practice- St Mary's University (2015)
MSc Preventive Cardiology- Imperial College London (2014)
BSc Nutrition with Sport Science- St Mary's university (2012)
PgCert Academic Practice- St Mary's University (2015)
MSc Preventive Cardiology- Imperial College London (2014)
BSc Nutrition with Sport Science- St Mary's university (2012)
Professional membership
Fellow of Advance HE
Roles on external bodies
Editorial board member- International Journal of Social Research Methodology
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Health promotion Health behaviour change
Person centred care
Implementation science
Research methods
Digital transformation
Person centred care
Implementation science
Research methods
Digital transformation
Staff serving as external examiners
Northumbria University
Research
Research
Research interests
Digital health innovation/ organisational transformation
Digital behaviour change interventions
Implementation/fidelity of person centred care and behaviour change practices
Methodology for evaluating complex adaptive systems
Digital behaviour change interventions
Implementation/fidelity of person centred care and behaviour change practices
Methodology for evaluating complex adaptive systems
Grants & contracts
Student led knowledge exchange OfS project (£250,000)
Mapping the trauma informed system of Plymouth (£4,999)
Scoping review for social prescribing in improve physical activity (£7,500)
End of life companionship: A realist evaluation (£20,143)
The role of food provisions to enhance social capability (£10,000)
Mapping the trauma informed system of Plymouth (£4,999)
Scoping review for social prescribing in improve physical activity (£7,500)
End of life companionship: A realist evaluation (£20,143)
The role of food provisions to enhance social capability (£10,000)
Publications
Publications
Journals
Eynon, M., Foad, J., Downey, J., Bowmer, Y., & Mills, H. (2019). Assessing the psychosocial factors associated with adherence to exercise referral schemes: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13403
Downey, J., Bloxham, S., Jane, B., Layden, J. D., & Vaughan, S. (2021). Person-centered health promotion: Learning from 10 years of practice within long term conditions. Healthcare, 9(4), https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9040439
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2021). Behaviour change practices in exercise referral schemes: Developing realist programme theory of implementation. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06349-9
Oliver, E., Watson, P., Buckley, B., Downey, J., Hawkins, G., Wade, M., Morgan, K. (2021). Where next for the design, delivery, and evaluation of community-based physical activity prescription? Emerging lessons from the United Kingdom. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2021-0101
Bassett L., Fong A. D., Downey, J., Doherty, M., & Cornwall, J. (2022). End of life companionship: Equipping volunteers with basic skills to offer support in the community. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 12, A17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2022-HUNC.40
Downey, J., Fornasiero, M., Cooper, S., Bassett, L., Doherty, M., Dubeibe-Fong, A., Bradley, N., & Cornwall, J. (2023). Combining realist evaluation and transformative evaluation to advance research in palliative care: The case of end of life companionship. Palliative Medicine, 37(3), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36732901/
Downey, J., Bloxham, S., Jane, B., Layden, J. D., & Vaughan, S. (2021). Person-centered health promotion: Learning from 10 years of practice within long term conditions. Healthcare, 9(4), https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9040439
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2021). Behaviour change practices in exercise referral schemes: Developing realist programme theory of implementation. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06349-9
Oliver, E., Watson, P., Buckley, B., Downey, J., Hawkins, G., Wade, M., Morgan, K. (2021). Where next for the design, delivery, and evaluation of community-based physical activity prescription? Emerging lessons from the United Kingdom. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2021-0101
Bassett L., Fong A. D., Downey, J., Doherty, M., & Cornwall, J. (2022). End of life companionship: Equipping volunteers with basic skills to offer support in the community. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 12, A17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2022-HUNC.40
Downey, J., Fornasiero, M., Cooper, S., Bassett, L., Doherty, M., Dubeibe-Fong, A., Bradley, N., & Cornwall, J. (2023). Combining realist evaluation and transformative evaluation to advance research in palliative care: The case of end of life companionship. Palliative Medicine, 37(3), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36732901/
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2023). The implementation of behaviour change practices in Physical Activity Referral Schemes: A narrative review. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 12,1, https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2023.2278293
Cotton, D., Bloxham, S., Cooper, S., Downey, J. & Fornasiero, M. (2024) Breaking boundaries: a model of student-led knowledge exchange for higher education, Journal of Further and Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2023.2300384
Chapters
Downey, J., (2016). Lifestyle assessment
and behaviour change. In Hough, P., & Penn, S. Advanced personal training: Science to practice (pp.22-54).
Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315684291
Downey, J., (2016). Nutrition. In Hough, P., & Penn, S. Advanced personal training: Science to practice (pp.22-54). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315684291
Feddersen, N. B., McDougall, M., & Downey, J.(2023). Organisational culture in sports: Perspectives, traps, and entry points for cultural practitioners. In Borrie A., Miles, A., Watson, P., Chandler, C., Hooten, A. The applied sport and exercise practitioner: Insights into becoming an effective practitioner. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003290049-10
Downey, J., (2016). Nutrition. In Hough, P., & Penn, S. Advanced personal training: Science to practice (pp.22-54). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315684291
Feddersen, N. B., McDougall, M., & Downey, J.(2023). Organisational culture in sports: Perspectives, traps, and entry points for cultural practitioners. In Borrie A., Miles, A., Watson, P., Chandler, C., Hooten, A. The applied sport and exercise practitioner: Insights into becoming an effective practitioner. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003290049-10
Conference Papers
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N.,
Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2019, February). Behaviour change practices in
exercise referral schemes: Developing realist programme theory of
implementation [poster]. UK Society for Behavioural Medicine annual
conference, Bath, England.
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2019, November). Behaviour change practices in exercise referral schemes: Developing realist programme theory of implementation. 1st Cardiovascular Health Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Cotton, D. (2022, January) Using transformative evaluation to enhance sustainability innovations[poster]. Eighteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, Granada, Spain.
Cotton, D., Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, June) How can educational developers use transformative evaluation to enhance sustainability in Higher Education? [poster].International Consortium for Educational Development Conference, Aarhus, Denmark.
Cotton, D., Bloxham, S., Cooper, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, July). Enhancing authentic learning through student-led knowledge exchange. EduLearn Conference, Palma, Spain.
Cotton, D., Bloxham, S., Cooper, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, September). Transformative learning for sustainability through student-led knowledge exchange.European Conference on Educational Research, online, worldwide.
Doherty, M., Downey, J., Cooper, S., Bassett, L., Dubeibe-Fong, A., Cornwall, J. (2023, July). St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers report positive benefits for their beneficiaries from End-of-Life Companionship.52nd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology, Norwich, England.
Basset, L., Dubeibe Fong, A., Downey, J., Doherty, M., Cornwall, J. (2022, November). End of life companionship: Equipping volunteers with basic skills to offer support in the community [poster]. Hospice UK Conference, Glasgow, UK.
Downey, J., Fornasiero, M., Bassett, L., Cooper, S., Dubeibe Fong, A., Doherty, M., Cornwall, J. (2022, October). Volunteer companionship: Developing theory on what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why? [poster]. Global Research & Future Innovations in Best Care for the Dying Person. International Collaborative for Best Care for the Dying Person, Seventh Annual Research Conference, Liverpool, UK.
Downey, J., Shearn, K., Brown, N., Wadey, R., & Breckon, J. (2019, November). Behaviour change practices in exercise referral schemes: Developing realist programme theory of implementation. 1st Cardiovascular Health Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Cotton, D. (2022, January) Using transformative evaluation to enhance sustainability innovations[poster]. Eighteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, Granada, Spain.
Cotton, D., Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, June) How can educational developers use transformative evaluation to enhance sustainability in Higher Education? [poster].International Consortium for Educational Development Conference, Aarhus, Denmark.
Cotton, D., Bloxham, S., Cooper, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, July). Enhancing authentic learning through student-led knowledge exchange. EduLearn Conference, Palma, Spain.
Cotton, D., Bloxham, S., Cooper, S., Downey, J., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, September). Transformative learning for sustainability through student-led knowledge exchange.European Conference on Educational Research, online, worldwide.
Doherty, M., Downey, J., Cooper, S., Bassett, L., Dubeibe-Fong, A., Cornwall, J. (2023, July). St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers report positive benefits for their beneficiaries from End-of-Life Companionship.52nd Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology, Norwich, England.
Basset, L., Dubeibe Fong, A., Downey, J., Doherty, M., Cornwall, J. (2022, November). End of life companionship: Equipping volunteers with basic skills to offer support in the community [poster]. Hospice UK Conference, Glasgow, UK.
Downey, J., Fornasiero, M., Bassett, L., Cooper, S., Dubeibe Fong, A., Doherty, M., Cornwall, J. (2022, October). Volunteer companionship: Developing theory on what works, for whom, in what circumstances and why? [poster]. Global Research & Future Innovations in Best Care for the Dying Person. International Collaborative for Best Care for the Dying Person, Seventh Annual Research Conference, Liverpool, UK.
Reports
Jane, B, Goss, A, Downey, J., & Brown, P (2021). Pathfinder project- preliminary systems mapping report. Marjon Health and Wellbeing. Plymouth Marjon University.
Dayson, C., Downey, J., Polley, M., Sabey, A., & Golder E. (2022). Social prescribing and physical activity: Scoping an agenda for policy, practice, and research. Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre Healthy and Active 100 Theme. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Downey, J., & Golder, E (2022). How can exercise referral schemes increase physical activity: Developing programme theory. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Downey, J. (2023). The Art of Dying Well St Vincent de Paul England and Wales End of Life Companionship: An evaluation report. Marjon Health and Wellbeing. Plymouth Marjon University.
Dayson, C., Downey, J., Polley, M., Sabey, A., & Golder E. (2022). Social prescribing and physical activity: Scoping an agenda for policy, practice, and research. Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre Healthy and Active 100 Theme. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Downey, J., & Golder, E (2022). How can exercise referral schemes increase physical activity: Developing programme theory. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
Downey, J. (2023). The Art of Dying Well St Vincent de Paul England and Wales End of Life Companionship: An evaluation report. Marjon Health and Wellbeing. Plymouth Marjon University.
Personal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
Downey, J. (2021, June). Developing ecologically valid programme theory to enhance the integrity of realist evaluation. Southampton Realist Research and Evaluation, Group, Online, worldwide.
Downey J. (2022, March). Reflecting on reflexivity: Confessions of a realist evaluator [keynote].CARES Realist Methodology Training Conference, Online, worldwide.
Downey, J., Cotton, D., Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, May). Scaling up a student led knowledge exchange approach in other settings: Don’t forget about transferring values. Student Knowledge Exchange and Community Engaged learning. Keele University/University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Basset, L., Dubeibe Fong, A., Fernandes, L., & Downey, J. (2022, September). St Vincent De Paul end of life companionship. The Art of Dying Well Conference. St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK
Downey J. (2022, March). Reflecting on reflexivity: Confessions of a realist evaluator [keynote].CARES Realist Methodology Training Conference, Online, worldwide.
Downey, J., Cotton, D., Cooper, S., Bloxham, S., Fornasiero, M. & Allison, J. (2022, May). Scaling up a student led knowledge exchange approach in other settings: Don’t forget about transferring values. Student Knowledge Exchange and Community Engaged learning. Keele University/University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Basset, L., Dubeibe Fong, A., Fernandes, L., & Downey, J. (2022, September). St Vincent De Paul end of life companionship. The Art of Dying Well Conference. St Mary’s University, Twickenham, UK