Dr Simon Brownsell, BSc (Hons), PhD

Senior Research Fellow

Address:
ScHARR,
University of Sheffield,
Regent Court,
30 Regent Street,
Sheffield,
S1 4DA

Tel: +44 (0) 114 222 0882
Fax: +44 (0) 114 272 4095
E-mail: s.brownsell@sheffield.ac.uk
Room: 1.06, 1st Floor, The Innovation Centre

Biography

I studied for BSc in Computer Science and Business Studies and then a PhD in telehealth from Abertay University. From 2000 to 2008 I worked at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a range of telehealth and assistive technology research programmes. Since joining the University, in March 2008, my interests remain in these areas with the purpose of supporting healthcare decision making and improving equipment performance and/or functionality.

Research interests

My general area of interest is the development of telecare/telehealth enabled services for the benefit of user and provider alike. This work has two main strands: One being technology development to support users in their own homes (particularly around lifestyle monitoring and telehealth systems for self care). The other strand is concerned with service implementation supported by appropriate evaluation to inform service commissioners and develop a reliable evidence base.

Teaching interests

I am interested in supervising Research Students in topics/areas such as the delivery of remote healthcare to people in the community through ICTs. This involves the development of new technologies, such as lifestyle monitoring, through to implementation science and behaviour change to deliver mainstream service adoption.

Professional activities

I am an external reviewer for numerous journals, including the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, and am on the editorial board of the Journal of Assistive Technologies. In terms of grant applications I am an appointed European Research Council referee and review grant applications for several organisations.
I sit on numerous local and national advisory boards including being an invited steering group member of the Centre for Enabling Environments and Assistive Technology (CEEAT), York St John University; TaCT CLAHRC programme at the University of Sheffield; and since 2004 an invited member of the Department of Health´s national Telecare Advisory Network.
Finally, I am an Associate Lecturer at York St John University and an honorary Research Fellow at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Current projects

• “VirtEx - Virtual Extra Care.” Technology Strategy Board, Assisted Living Innovation Platform. £2M
• “Expanding the role of NHS Direct in the management of long-term conditions.” Department of Health. NIHR Programme Grant. £2M
• “Regional ICT based Clusters for Healthcare Applications and R&D (RICAHRD).” EU FP7. 2.75M Euro
• “Self Management supported by Assistive, Rehabilitation and Telecare Technologies (SMART).” EPSRC £2.8M
• “South Yorkshire Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care.” Department of Health. £10M.
• Consultancy for service providers and equipment suppliers

Key publications

• Blackburn S, Brownsell S & Hawley MS, “A Systematic Review of Digital Interactive Television Systems and their Applications in the Health & Social Care Fields.” JTT Accepted
• Biddiss E, Brownsell S & Hawley M. (2009). “Prediction of health status in individuals with congestive heart failure using a home-based telecare system.” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 15: 226–31.
• Brownsell S. (2009). “Measuring the ‘success’ of telehealth interventions.” Journal of Assistive Technology. Volume 3 Issue 4:12-20.
• Brownsell S. Aldred H, Young T & Hawley MS. (2008). “Reforming health care through information and communication technologies.” Journal of Care Services Management. 2.(3): 286-300.
• Brownsell S, Blackburn S & Hawley MS. (2008). “Evaluating the impact of 2nd and 3rd generation telecare services in older people's housing.” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 14: 8-12.
• Brownsell S, Aldred H, Hawley MS. (2007). “The role of telecare in supporting the needs of elderly people.” Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 13: 293-297
• Bradley D & Brownsell S. (April 2006). Chapter. “Financial Implications of Telecare.” in “Home Telehealth: Connecting Care within the community.” Wootton R, Dimmick S & Kvedar J (editors). Royal Society of Medicine 1-85315-657-4.

Section

Simon is based in the Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Group in Health Services Research in the School of Health and Related Research.