Ginny Brunton
RN, RM, PhD

Research and Expertise

• Background and Interests

  I believe that research should be a key source of evidence that supports personal, professional and policy decisions. My research interests arise from this belief and from my clinical training and experience as a nurse and midwife in community health and birth settings. 

  In Canada and the UK, I have worked extensively as a research methodologist specializing in systematic reviews used for health policy knowledge exchange. I have co-developed innovative methods of research synthesis that bring together different types of research on effectiveness, implementation and people’s perspectives. These research synthesis methods have included the development and conduct of novel applications of meta-analysis and meta-regression, framework synthesis and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). 

  My substantive research interests focus on maternal health policy, health promotion and population health issues; and community/key interest holder involvement in health services development, implementation and evaluation. These interests have resulted in multiple nationally-funded primary research and systematic reviews that inform national guidance and policy. Topics include community engagement in health services, home birth, waterbirth, teenage pregnancy and parenthood, women’s experiences of becoming a mother, the impact of fathers’ involvement on family mental health outcomes, and core outcome set development for neonatal ICU care.

   

• Education

  BSc Nursing (First Class) McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

  MSc Health Research Methodology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

  BA (Hons) Midwifery, University of East Anglia, Cambridge, England

  PhD Evidence-Informed Health Policy, University College London, England

• Courses taught

  Undergraduate Level:

  Community Health Nursing
  Introduction to Health and Healing

  Graduate Level:

  Systematic Reviews for Personal, Professional and Policy Decisions

• Publications

  Journal articles
  
  2024

  Atkinson-Graham M, Brunton G, Cancelliere C, de Zoete A, Rebenstein S, Murnaghan K, Mior S. Care at a Distance: Understanding lived experiences of people with MSK disorders receiving non-pharmacological interventions delivered through synchronous telehealth: A systematic rapid review.  [accepted for Digital Health; in press Feb 2024] 

  2023

  Southerst D, Hincapié CA, Yu H, Verville L, Bussières A, Gross DP, Pereira P, Mior S, Tricco AC, Cedraschi C, Brunton G. Systematic review to inform a World Health Organization (WHO) clinical practice guideline: benefits and harms of structured and standardized education or advice for chronic primary low back pain in adults. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2023 Nov 22:1-1. 

  Verville L, Hincapié CA, Southerst D, Yu H, Bussières A, Gross DP, Pereira P, Mior S, Tricco AC, Cedraschi C, Brunton G. Systematic review to inform a World Health Organization (WHO) clinical practice guideline: benefits and harms of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic primary low back pain in adults. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2023 Nov 22:1-0. 

  Yu H, Wang D, Verville L, Southerst D, Bussières A, Gross DP, Pereira P, Mior S, Tricco AC, Cedraschi C, Brunton G. Systematic review to inform a World Health Organization (WHO) clinical practice guideline: benefits and harms of needling therapies for chronic primary low back pain in adults. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2023 Nov 22:1-2. 

  Siraj S, Brunton G, Arutiunian A, Brock G, Dubrowski A. Developing a Partnership Model to Address Gaps in Rural Healthcare Provider Training Using Simulation-Based Health Professions Education. Cureus 2023; 15(3): e36789. doi:10.7759/cureus.36789. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10145702/

  Siraj S, Momand B, Brunton G and Dubrowski A,. Identification of a partnership model between a university, for-profit, and not-for-profit organization to address health professions education and health inequality gaps through simulation-based education: A scoping review protocol.  Plos one, 2023 August; 18(7), p.e0288374. URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0288374

  2022

  Khouja C, Kneale D, Brunton G, Raine G, Stansfield C, Sowden A, Sutcliffe K, Thomas J. Consumption and effects of caffeinated energy drinks in young people: an overview of systematic reviews and secondary analysis of UK data to inform policy. BMJ Open. 2022 Feb 1;12(2):e047746.

  Corso M, DeSouza A, Brunton G, Yu H, Cancelliere C, Mior S, Taylor-Vasey A, MacLeod-Beaver K, Côté P. Integrating Indigenous healing practices within collaborative care models in primary healthcare in Canada: a rapid scoping review. BMJ Open. 2022 June; 12:e059323. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059323. URL: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059323

  2021

  Brunton G, Wahab S, Sheikh H, Davis BM. Global stakeholder perspectives of home birth: a systematic scoping review. Systematic Reviews. 2021 Dec;10(1):1-8. URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-021-01837-9

  Kvasnak K, Brunton G, Lemonde M, Chyzzy B, Abbass-Dick J. Considerations for the design of a perinatal mindfulness intervention for adolescents based on a systematic review of the literature. International Health Trends and Perspectives. 2021 Jul 7;1(2):226-48. URL:  https://journals.library.ryerson.ca/index.php/ihtp/article/view/1438

  2020

  Brunton G, Murray Davis B. (2020) Planning for home birth knowledge mobilization: a scoping review and stakeholder consultation (protocol). Ontario: McMaster University Midwifery Research Centre. URL:  https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/docs/librariesprovider29/default-document-library/final-protocol-home-  birth-scoping-review-12mar2020.pdf?sfvrsn=ec98a62a_2

  Brunton G, Oliver S, Thomas J. Innovations in framework synthesis as a systematic review method. Research synthesis Methods. 2020 May; 11(3); 316-330.

  Brunton G, Webbe J, Oliver S, Gale C. Adding value to core outcome set development using multimethod systematic reviews. Research Synthesis Methods. 2020 Mar;11(2):248-59.

  Reitsma A, Simioni J, Brunton G, Kaufman K, Hutton EK. Maternal outcomes and birth interventions among women who begin labour intending to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospital: a systematic review and meta-analyses. EClinicalMedicine. 2020 Apr 1;21:100319.

  Cancelliere C, Wong JJ, Yu H, Nordin M, Mior S, Pereira P, Brunton G, Shearer H, Connell G, Verville L, Taylor-Vaisey A, Côté P. Post-surgical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain with or without radiculopathy who were treated surgically: Protocol for a mixed studies systematic review. BMJ Open (2020), 10(3), e036817.

  Cancelliere C, Wong JJ, Yu H, Nordin M, Mior S, Pereira P, Brunton G, Shearer H, Connell G, Verville L, Taylor-Vaisey A. Postsurgical rehabilitation for adults with low back pain with or without radiculopathy who were treated surgically: protocol for a mixed studies systematic review. BMJ open. 2020 Mar 1;10(3):e036817.

  Kwan I, Dickson K, Richardson M, MacDowall W, Burchett H, Stansfield C, Brunton G, Sutcliffe K, Thomas J. Cyberbullying and children and young people's mental health: a systematic map of systematic reviews. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2020 Feb 1;23(2):72-82.

  2019

  Hutton EK, Reitsma A, Simioni J, Brunton G, Kaufman K. Perinatal or neonatal mortality among women who intend at the onset of labour to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospital: a systematic review and meta-analyses. EClinicalMedicine. 2019 Sep 1;14:59-70.

  Webbe JW, Duffy JM, Afonso E, Al-Muzaffar I, Brunton G, Greenough A, Hall NJ, Knight M, Latour JM, Lee-Davey C, Marlow N. Core outcomes in neonatology: development of a core outcome set for neonatal research. Archives of Disease in Childhood-Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 2020 Jul 1;105(4):425-31.

  Webbe JW, Ali S, Sakonidou S, Webbe T, Duffy JM, Brunton G, Modi N, Gale C. Inconsistent outcome reporting in large neonatal trials: a systematic review. Archives of Disease in Childhood-Fetal and Neonatal Edition. 2020 Jan 1;105(1):69-75.

  Peer reviewed end of project reports

  2020

  Papaconstantinou EA, Cancelliere C, Martin K, Brunton G, Velji K, Southerst D, Verveille L, Taylor- Vasey A, Albrecht-Bisset M, Ashtarieh B, Larmour R, Côté P. (2020) Effectiveness of digitally delivered sleep interventions on sleep and mental health outcomes in postsecondary students: a systematic review. Oshawa ON: CIHR End of project report.

  2019

  Brunton G, Kneale D, Sowden A, Sutcliffe K, Thomas J (2019) Caffeinated energy drinks and effects in UK young people: A secondary analysis of population-level datasets. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education..

  Brunton G, Khouja C, Raine G, Stansfield C, Kwan I, Sowden A, Sutcliffe K, Thomas J (2019) Caffeinated energy drink use and effects in young people: a rapid overview of systematic reviews. London: EPPI- Centre, Social Science Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education, University College London.

  Dickson K, Richardson M, Kwan I , MacDowall W, Burchett H , Stansfield C, Brunton G, Sutcliffe K, Thomas J (2019) Screen-based activities and children and young people’ s mental health: a systematic map of   reviews. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education, University College London

  Burchett H, Stansfield C, Brunton G, Macdowall W, Thomas J (2019) Digital interventions for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol misuse: protocol for a systematic review. London: EPPI- Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London.

  Book chapters

  Brunton G, Booth A, Carroll C, (in press) Worked examples: Framework and Best Fit Framework Synthesis. In Harden A and Noyes J (eds) The qualitative evidence synthesis handbook. Cochrane Collaboration: Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group.

  Ferns S, Cappon A, Duff A, Marshall A, Ryan, B, Thompson B, Ferguson C, Deegan C, MacMahon C, McCormick-Brighton C, Gray G, Brunton G, et al. (2020) Technology tools for teaching in higher education: The Practical Handbook Series. Open Library Pressbooks.

  Brunton G, Stansfield C, Caird J, Thomas J. (2017). Finding relevant studies. In Gough D, Oliver S and Thomas J. An introduction to systematic reviews, 2^nd edition. London: Sage Publications, Chapter 5.

   

• Research Collaborators
  • McMaster Midwifery Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario
  • London Health Sciences Centre, London Ontario
  • Oak Valley Health, Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Markham Ontario
  • Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre, Ottawa Ontario
  • Provincial Council for Maternal Child Health, Toronto Ontario
  • Association of Ontario Midwives, Toronto Ontario
  • Waterbirth Canada
  • Lakeridge Health, Oshawa Ontario
  • Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Ontario Tech University
  • Chiropractic Medicine College of Canada, Toronto Ontario
• Grants

  2024

  Canadian Institutes of Health Research Secondary Data Use Grant (primary investigator)
  Prevalence and outcomes of water birth versus 'land' birth in Ontario mothers and neonates at low risk of complications: a secondary analysis of routinely collected BORN data ($74,408)

  2023

  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Explore Grant (co-investigator)
  Access to rehabilitation care among disabled older adults with musculoskeletal conditions: An investigation of structural barriers ($6,999)

  2022

  Ontario Tech University FHS Dean’s Innovation Fund (primary investigator)
  Developing Best Practices to Support Faculty, Student and Indigenous Community Engagement in Research. ($5,000 )

  Ontario Tech University FHS Dean’s Innovation Fund (co-investigator)
  Pilot Testing a Peer Health Education Program at Ontario Tech University ($5,000)

  2020

  World Health Organization (co-investigator)
  Supply of systematic evidence syntheses to inform the WHO Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain in Adults. ($124,969)

  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (co-investigator)
  The effectiveness of virtual sleep interventions to improve sleep and mental health outcomes in the post-secondary student population ($50,000)

  Canadian Institutes of Health Research (primary investigator)
  Planning for home birth knowledge mobilization: a scoping review and stakeholder consultation ($14,976)

  2017

  Department of Health (England) (internal co-applicant)
  Reviews facility to support national policy development and implementation (£1.7 million)

  2015

  National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (primary investigator)
  Community engagement strategies to promote public health (extension) (£30,821)

  2014

  National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (primary investigator)
  Community engagement strategies to promote public health: a systematic review and meta-analysis (£54,960)

  Department of Health (England) (co-investigator)
  Reviews facility to support national policy development and implementation (£1.6 million)

  2009

  Economic and Social Research Council, UK (primary investigator)
  Becoming a mother: a synthesis of research on women’s experience of first-time motherhood (£92,967)

  2005

  Department of Health (England) (primary investigator)
  Young people, pregnancy and social exclusion (£161,106)

• Graduate Student Research

  Current Students (supervisor)

  • Shakiba Kamalinejad – Immigrants’, Families and Midwives’ Experiences of Midwifery Care for Immigrants in Canada: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. (MHSc thesis, Ontario Tech University)
  • Helen Peak – Stakeholders’ Perspectives of Experience Based Co-Design in Healthcare: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. (MScN thesis, Ontario Tech University)
  • Kaitlin Ramkumar – Women’s experiences of traditional birth attendants in low- and middle-resource countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis. (MHSc thesis, Ontario Tech University)
  • Komal Magdum – The perspectives of childbearing women and their families with reduced access to maternity services in Canadian rural and remote communities: a qualitative evidence synthesis. (MScN thesis, Ontario Tech University)

  Graduates

  • Ms. Samyah Siraj – International co-production in simulation-based healthcare education: a systematic review. (2023 MHSc thesis, Ontario Tech University)
  • Dr. Claire Stansfield – Exploring search strategy design to identify diverse literature for inclusion in systematic reviews. (2018 PhD dissertation, University College London)
  • Dr. Mary Sawtell –An exploration of practitioner-researcher collaboration on randomised controlled trials of complex interventions. (2019 PhD dissertation, University College London)
• Professional Awards

  International Labour and Birth Research Conference 2023 Scientific Merit Award
  Brunton G, Kamalinejad S, Murray Davis B. Involving women and childbearing people in Canadian midwifery research governance: a systematic scoping review. (poster presentation).

  Association of Ontario Midwives 2020 Excellence in Midwifery Research Award
  Hutton EK, Reitsma A, Simioni J, Brunton G, Kaufman K. (2019) Perinatal or neonatal mortality among women who intend at the onset of labour to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospital: A systematic review and meta-analyses. EClinicalMedicine, 14: 59-70.