Scientist profiles S-Z

Robert Simpson provides acute care physiatry consults with a primary focus on trauma. We welcome Robert from Glasgow, Scotland where he completed his specialist vocational training. Robert has extensive clinical training, not only in rehabilitation medicine, but also in emergency medicine, general practice and integrative medicine. Robert has a PhD in general practice, and is appointed as a clinician investigator in Sunnybrook's physical medicine & rehabilitation division, department of medicine. His research focus is on developing and evaluating complex interventions, including mindfulness and yoga.

Education:

• MBChB, 2001, medicine, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
• PhD, 2017, general practice, University of Glasgow, Scotland

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Associate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Staff physician, physical medicine and rehabilitation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Assistant professor, department of medicine, University of Toronto

Research Foci:

• Rehabilitation
• Integrative medicine
• Complex interventions

Research Summary:

Dr. Simpson’s research is focused on developing and evaluating complex interventions for people with disabling long-term conditions and multimorbidity.

Selected Publications:

1. Simpson R, Simpson S, Ramparsad N, Lawrence M, Booth J, Mercer SW. Mindfulness-based interventions for mental well-being among people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2019 Sep;90(9):1051–8.
2. Simpson R, Simpson S, Wood K, Mercer SW, Mair FS. Using normalisation process theory to understand barriers and facilitators to implementing mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis. Chronic Illn. 2019 Dec;15(4):306–18.
3. Simpson R, Byrne S, Wood K, Mair FS, Mercer SW. Optimising mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis. Chronic Illn. 2018 Jun;14(2):154–66.
4. Simpson R, Mair FS, Mercer SW. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility randomised controlled trial. BMC Neurol. 2017 May 16;17(1):94.
5. Simpson R, McLean G, Guthrie B, Mair F, Mercer SW. Physical and mental health comorbidity is common in people with multiple sclerosis: nationally representative cross-sectional population database analysis. BMC Neurol. 2014 Jun 13;14:128.

Related News and Stories:

• Mindfulness in multiple sclerosis, BMJ talk medicine podcast (Oct. 7, 2019)