Amy McPherson, PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS
Bloorview Research Institute
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 1R8.
416.425.6220 Ext. 6378
[email protected]
Research interests
Obesity and health promotion; Spina bifida; Participation & inclusion of children with disabilities; Education and empowerment of children in healthcare; Communication in healthcare settings; Multimedia health education.
Education and Qualifications
2000- 2003 Section of Behavioural Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. PhD in Health Psychology.
1993- 1996 University of Westminster, London, UK. BSc. (Hons) Cognitive Science.
Professional Membership
o Chartered member of the Division of Health Psychology, British Psychological Society
o Member of the Canadian Obesity Network
Appointments
o Scientist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto (June 2009- present).
o Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (April 2010- present).
o Associate Member, Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto (March 2013- present)
o Lecturer in Health Psychology, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham, UK. (Sept 2004- May 2009).
o Lecturer in Health Psychology, Section of Behavioural Sciences & Research Fellow, School of Nursing University of Nottingham, UK (Sept 2003- Sept 2004).
o Research Assistant, Division of Psychiatry, University of Nottingham, UK (Jan 1999-Dec 2002).
o Research Associate, University of Leicester, UK (March 1997- Jan 1999).
Research grants
1. King, G, McPherson, AC (Co- PIs), Kingsnorth, S, Jones-Galley, K, et al. Optimizing Life Success Through Residential Immersion Life Skills Programs for Youth with Disabilities. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, May 2014- April 2018 ($412,867).
2. McPherson, AC (PI), Church, P, Lyons, J, Chen, L, Swift, J. Developing a clinical teaching simulation for healthcare professionals communicating about weight-related topics in spina bifida clinics. Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, June 2014- May 2015 ($5,000).
3. Arbour-Nicitopoulos, KP, Wright, V, Faulkner, GE, McPherson, AC (Co-I), Wood, S. Developing and Pilot-Testing an Inclusive Recreational Sports Program for
Preadolescent Children with Physical Disabilities. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant, July 2014- June 2016 ($74,133). 4. McPherson, AC (PI), Krog, K, Maltais, D, Swift, J, Ball, G, Cairney, J. Setting the
disabilities: a consensus building workshop. Canadian Institutes of Health Research meeting grant, February 2014- January 2015 ($21,671).
5. McPherson, AC (PI),Hamilton, J, Swift, JA, Ball, GDC, Kingsnorth, S, Steinberg, A, Chen, L, Philpott, J, Krog, K. Talking with children and families about weight-related issues: A scoping review of best practices. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Knowledge Synthesis Grant, September 2013- August 2014 ($47,627).
6. McPherson, AC (PI), Church, P, Lyons, J, Chen, L, Swift, J, Gorter, JW. An exploration of healthcare professionals’, children and families’ experiences of discussing weight-related issues in spina bifida consultations. Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, May 2013- May 2014 ($10,000).
7. McPherson, AC (PI) & Patton, I. Growing Healthy Bodies: The development of a healthy body scorecard for Canadian children and youth. MITACS September 2013- August 2014 ($45,000).
8. McPherson, AC (PI), Lindsay, S & Curran, CJ How effective is Busy Bodies in goal attainment for children with physical disabilities? Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, February- October 2013 ($3950).
9. Kingsnorth, S., King, G., McPherson, AC (Co-I)., Jones-Galley, K. & Savage, D. A prospective real-time study of The Independence Program (TIP). Holland Bloorview Foundation Centre for Leadership in Participation and Inclusion, April 2013-March 2014 ($45,000).
10.McPherson, AC (PI),Church, P, Lyons, J, Chen, L, Swift, J. An environmental scan of weight assessment and management practices in paediatric spina bifida clinics across Canada. Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, May 2012-January 2013 ($8014).
11.McPherson, AC (PI), Upshall, K, Stinson, J. Connected for health: Exploring users’ experiences of a social networking website for children and youth with chronic conditions. Kids’ Health Links Foundation, November 2012- May 2013 ($8000). 12.McPherson, A., King, G., (Co-PIs), Kingsnorth, S., & Jones-Galley, K. Measuring
Quality of Teen Independence Immersion Environments: Service Provider Perceptions. Holland Bloorview Foundation Centre for Leadership in Participation and Inclusion, 2012-2013 ($21,075).
13.Kingsnorth, S., King, G., (Co-PIs), McPherson, A. & Jones-Galley, K. A retrospective study of past graduates of The Independence Program: A comparison of other models. Holland Bloorview Foundation Centre for Leadership in Participation and Inclusion, 2012-2013 ($20,949).
14.Biddiss, E, Chau, T, Fehlings, D, McKeever, P, McPherson, A, Rigby, P. The Art of Waiting: An evaluation of an interactive media experience in a children’s hospital waiting space. CIHR, 2012-2014 ($187,072).
15.Lindsay, S, McPherson, A, Wright, V, McKeever, P & Aslam, H. Kids’ and teachers’ assessments of 2 anti-bullying interventions. SSHRC, 2010-2011 ($35,545).
16.Lindsay, S, McPherson, A. Breaking the silence about bullying: Experiences of inclusion and exclusion among children with cerebral palsy. Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy, 2010-2011, ($5,000).
17.McPherson, A. Development & evaluation of a website for young people with diabetes. Sheffield Children’s Hospital Trust (UK) & Diabetes UK (as part of bigger grant), 2007- 2011 (approx $104,000).
18.Avis, M, McPherson, A, et al. Local evaluations of SureStart programmes in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Local Health Authorities, UK. 2004-2008 (total £195,600/approx $313,000).
Selected journal publications
(#= clinician; underline= trainee)1. McPherson, AC, Leo, J, Lyons, J#, Church, P#, Chen, L#, Swift, JA. (in press) An environmental scan of weight assessment and management practices in paediatric spina bifida clinics across Canada. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine.
2. King, G, McPherson, AC, Kingsnorth, S, Stewart, D, Glencross-Eimantas, T#, Gorter, JW, Jones-Galley, K#, Morrison, A#, Isihi, AM# (in press) Residential immersive life skills programs for youth with disabilities: Service providers’ perceptions of experiential benefits and key program features. Disability and Rehabilitation.
3. Biddiss, E, Knibbe, TJ, McPherson, AC (2014)The effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing anxiety in healthcare waiting spaces: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized trials. Anesthesia & Analgesia 119 (2):433-448.
4. McPherson, AC, Gofine, M, Stinson, J. (2014) Seeing is believing? A mixed methods study exploring the quality and perceived trustworthiness of online information about chronic conditions aimed at children and young people. Health Communication 29 (5) 473-482. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2013.768325 [Epub 2013 Oct 7]
5. McPherson, AC, Keith, R, Swift, JA. (2013) Obesity prevention for children with physical disabilities: a scoping review of physical activity and nutrition interventions. Disability and Rehabilitation. Early online: 1-15. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.863391. 6. Keenan, S#, King, G, Curran, CJ, McPherson, AC. (2013) Effectiveness of an
Experiential Life Skills Intervention for Youth with a Disability. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. Early Online:1–13.
doi:10.3109/01942638.2013.842200 [Epub Oct 30 2013].
7. McPherson, AC, Keith, R, Swift, J (2013) Obesity-related health promotion interventions for children and young people with physical disabilities: state of the evidence. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 55 (Supp 3), 68.
8. McPherson, AC, Swift, J, Lyons, J, Church, P, Chen, L. (2013) Why should we be concerned about obesity in children with disabilities? Canadian Journal of Diabetes; 37 (Supp 2), 239-240.
9. Patton, I & McPherson, AC (2013)Anthropometric measurements in Canadian children: A scoping review. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 104(5):e369-e374. 10.Wells, F, Ritchie, D, McPherson, AC. (2013) "It is life threatening but I don’t mind”. A
qualitative study using Photo Elicitation Interviews to explore young people’s
experiences of renal replacement therapies. Child: Care, Health & Development 39 (4), 602–612.
11.McPherson, AC, Swift, JA, Yung, E, Lyons, J#, Church, P#. (2013) The assessment of weight status in children and young people attending a spina bifida outpatient clinic: a retrospective medical record review. Disability and Rehabilitation. Vol. 35 (25), 2123-2131.
12.Biddiss, E, McPherson, A, Shea, G, McKeever, P. (2013) The design and testing of interactive hospital spaces to meet the needs of waiting children. Health Environments Research & Design Journal 6(3), 49-68.
13.Price KJ, Wales J, Eiser C, Knowles, J, Heller, S, Freeman, J Brennan, A, McPherson, A, Wellington, J (2013) Does an intensive self-management structured education course improve outcomes for children and young people with type 1 diabetes? The Kids In Control OF Food (KICk-OFF) cluster randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ
Open;3: e002429. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002429.
14.King, G, Curran, CJ, McPherson, AC. (2013) A Four-Part Ecological Model of Community-focused Therapeutic Recreation and Life Skills Services to Support the Participation of Children with Disabilities. Child: Care, Health & Development 39 (3), 325-336. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2012.01390.x
15.McPherson, AC & Lindsay, S. (2012) How do children with disabilities view ‘healthy living’? A pilot study. Disability & Health Journal 5 (3) 201-209.
16.Lindsay S, McPherson AC, Aslam H, McKeever P, Wright V (2012) Exploring children’s perceptions of two school-based social inclusion programs: A pilot. Child and Youth Forum. DOI: 10.1007/s10566-012-9183-9.
17.Lindsay, SL & McPherson, AC. (2011) Experiences of social exclusion and bullying at school among children and youth with cerebral palsy. Disability & Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2011.587086
18.Lindsay, S & McPherson, AC (2011) Strategies for improving disability awareness and
social inclusion: Listening to the voices of children with cerebral palsy Child: Care,
Health & Development 38 (6) 809-816.DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01308.x
19.McPherson, AC & Redsell, SA (2009) Factors affecting children's involvement in asthma consultations: a questionnaire survey of general practitioners and primary care asthma nurses. Primary Care Respiratory Journal 18(1), 15-20.
20.Glazebrook, C, McPherson, AC, Macdonald, IA, Swift, JA, Ramsay, C, Newbould, R. & Smyth, A (2006) Asthma as a barrier to children's physical activity: implications for body mass index and mental health. Pediatrics 118(6), 2443-2449.
21.McPherson, AC, Glazebrook, C, Forster, D, James, C & Smyth, A. (2006) A Randomised, Controlled Trial to evaluate an interactive educational computer package for children with Asthma. Pediatrics 117,1046-1054.
Book chapters
1. McPherson, AC (2010) Involving children: Why it matters. Ch 2 in SA Redsell & A Hastings Listening to Children and Young People in Healthcare Consultations. Radcliffe: Oxford.
Invited talks
1. McPherson (2013) “Obesity in children with physical disabilities: a clinical and research dilemma”, Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Quebec City, November 19. 2. McPherson, AC (2013) “Childhood obesity and long-term conditions: an emerging
challenge”. School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK. August 1. 3. McPherson, AC, Dean, H & McKeever, P(2011) “Double Exposure: The Depiction of
Disability in Film and Research”. Participation & Inclusion Research Team meeting, Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, 13th December.
4. McPherson, AC (2010) “Promoting self-management in young people with chronic health conditions”. Part of invited symposium ‘Mental Health in young people with chronic conditions: Promoting self management in Zambian adolescents’. International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, July 18th-22.
5. McPherson, AC (2009) “Getting it right: crafting research instruments for kids with kids”. Doing Research With Kids: Designs, Dilemmas & Directions (international methods workshop), Bloorview Kids Rehab, October 22– 23.
6. McPherson, AC (2008) “Double click for health: developing multimedia interventions for children with chronic health conditions”. Bloorview Research Institute Seminar Series, December 9.
7. McPherson, AC (2008) “Multimedia interventions for children and young people”. Synergy Workshop: ‘Internet-based Health Psychology Interventions: Maximising their Potential’. European Health Psychology Society conference, Bath, UK, September 6-8. 8. McPherson, AC (2007) Invited discussant at the 'Chronic illness in children'
symposium at the Division of Health Psychology annual conference, Nottingham, UK, September 12 – 14.
Media
1. Spring/Summer 2014: ‘An accident waiting to happen: the stigma of incontinence’. Current: The magazine of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario. 2. Jan 21 2014 ‘Medical websites for kids lacking’
http://issuu.com/hollandbloorview/docs/bloom_winter_2014_-_web/1?e=1952047/6413530
3. Dec 12, 2013: ‘The Challenge of Obesity In Children With Physical Disabilities’
http://www.drsharma.ca/the-challenge-of-obesity-in-children-with-physical-disabilities.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed% 3A+AryaSharma+%28Arya+M.+Sharma%2C+MD%29
4. July 2013: ‘The Bloorview Research Institute is starting the conversation: Obesity in children with disabilities’
http://issuu.com/hospitalnews/docs/hospital_news_july_2013_digital_19f50815883b4c ?e=8107642%2F3948055
5. June 2013: ‘Clinicians need to step-up education to combat obesity’ http://issuu.com/hollandbloorview/docs/bloomsummer2013-june25
6. May 2013: ‘The assessment of weight status in children and young people attending a spina bifida outpatient clinic: a retrospective medical record review’
http://www.mdlinx.com/pediatrics/news-article.cfm/4953009/
7. Oct 25 2012 (and Winter print copy of ‘Bloom’): Findings from: “A qualitative
exploration of the experiences of children with spina bifida and their parents around incontinence and social participation”
http://bloom-parentingkidswithdisabilities.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-toileting-taboo-kids-and-incontinence.html
