Dr Victoria Riley

Research Fellow

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I completed my undergraduate degree at Staffordshire University in 2012 and then went on to complete the MSc in Health Psychology also at Staffordshire University in 2013. After time out working in other sectors, I began a PhD in 2015 which looked at understanding uptake and improving risk communication in the NHS Health Check programme. In 2017 I started a role as a research associate working on the RICO (RIsk COmmunication) project which aimed to explore clinician and patient perception of CVD risk when using the JBS3 lifetime risk calculator or the QRISK2 10-year risk calculator, the associated advice or treatment offered by the clinician and the response of the patient; alongside my PhD. I completed my PhD studies in May 2021. My current role, which I began in 2019, is to conduct research within the Centre for Health and Development (CHAD). CHAD focusses on four key areas of health (for more information please visit www.chadresearch.co.uk)

Professional memberships and activities

British Psychological Society (BPS)
BPS Division of Health Psychology

Academic qualifications

PhD, 2021
MSc Health Psychology (Merit), Staffordshire University, 2013
BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling (1st Class Honours), Staffordshire University, 2012

Expertise

NHS Health Checks, health promotion and prevention, quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Research interests

My research background is in Health Psychology and I have a number of research interests including health promotion, health checks, CVD prevention and behaviour change.

Enterprise and commercial interests

In partnership with Oldham Council and as part of the PhD I developed risk communication training to help practitioners improve their confidence and understanding when explaining the CVD risk score used in NHS Health Checks. The training proved very successful and as a result was delivered to local local authorities located in the South East and new members of staff in Oldham in 2018/19.

Publications

Papers

Riley, V., Fedorowicz, S., Gidlow, C. (2021). Evaluation of the heart age test:Findings from test user data, an online survey and follow-up interviews. Centre for Health and Development, July 2021. https://www.chadresearch.co.uk/evaluation-of-the-heart-age-test/

Riley, V., Ellis, N., Mackay, L., Taylor, J. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on women’s pregnancy and postpartum experience in England: A qualitative exploration. Midwifery, 101, 103061. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103061

Gidlow, C., Riley, V. (2021). Physical activity and alcohol measurement in NHS Health Check. Public Health England, January 2021. https://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/commissioners-and-providers/evidence/

Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Riley, V., Cowap, L., et al. (2021). Cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Checks: video-stimulated recall interviews with practitioners. BJGP Open; BJGPO.2021.0049. doi: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0049

Forsyth, J.J., Mackay, L., Riley, V. (2021). Perceptions of physical activity changes due to COVID-19 restrictions among women in the United Kingdom. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 1-10.

Riley, V.A., Ellis, N.J., Cowap, L., Grogan, S., et al. (2020). A qualitative exploration of two risk calculators using video-recorded NHS health check consultations. BMC FamPr, 21:250. doi: 10.1186/s12875-020-01315-6

Gidlow, C.J., Ellis, N.J., Cowap, L., Riley, V.A., et al. (2020). Quantitative examination of video-recorded NHS Health Checks: comparison of the use of QRISK2 versus JBS3 cardiovascular risk calculators. BMJ Open; 10:e037790. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037790

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Povey, R., Barnes, O., Clark-Carter, D. (2018). ‘Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk Communication in the UK National Health Service Health Check Programme. Patient Education & Counselling, 102:11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2019.05.014

Gidlow, C.J., Ellis, N.J., Riley, V., Chadborn, T., Bunten, A., Iqbal, Z., Ahmed, A., Fisher, A., Sugden, D., Clark-Carter, D. (2019). Randomised controlled trial comparing uptake of NHS Health Check in response to standard letters, risk-personalised letters and telephone invitations. BMC Public Health, 19:224, doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6540-8

Gidlow, C.J., Ellis, N.J., Cowap, L.C., Riley, V., Crone, D., Cottrell, E., Grogan, S., Chambers, R., Clark-Carter, D. (2019). A qualitative study of cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Check using different risk calculators: protocol for the RIsk COmmunication in NHS Health Check (RICO) study. BMC Family Practice, 20:11, doi: 10.1186/s12875-018-0897-0.

Gidlow, C., Povey, R., Ellis, N., Begum, S., Riley, V., Chadwick, P., Chadborn, T., Gold, N. (2018). Uptake and retention in group-based weight-management services: Literature review and behavioural analysis. Public Health England, July 2018.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., and Ellis, N. (2018). Understanding implementation and uptake in the national health service health check programme. Public Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2018.01.024

Drinkwater, K., Dagnall, N., Grogan, S., and Riley, V. (2017). Understanding the Unknown: A Thematic Analysis of Subjective Paranormal Experiences. Australian Journal of Parapsychology, 17(1), pp. 23-46.

Riley, V. (2017). Introducing Screencasts to Sport and Exercise Undergraduate Students Conducting Statistical Analysis: How Useful Are They Anyway? Innovative Practice in Higher Education, 3(1).

Fern, V. Grogan, S., and Buckley, E.J. (2014). Postpartum Body Image and Baby Feeding Choices: Dealing with the Pressure to Be Slender. British Journal of Midwifery, 22(11), 788-794.

Fern, V.A., Buckley, E., and Grogan, S. (2012). Women's experiences of body image and weight loss after childbirth. British Journal of Midwifery, 20, 860-865.

Conference Presentations

Riley, V., Povey, R. (2019). Communicating CVD Risk. Training workshop delivered at the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Conference 2019: Saving Hearts and Minds Together, 14th February, 2019, Old Trafford Football Stadium, Manchester.

Riley, V., Gidlow, G., Ellis, N.J (2019). Learning From Patient Experiences in NHS Health Check. Poster presented at the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Conference 2019: Saving Hearts and Minds Together, 14th February, 2019, Old Trafford Football Stadium, Manchester.

Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Cowap, L., Riley, V., Crone, D., Cottrell, E., Grogan, S., Chambers, R., Clark-Carter, D. (2018). A qualitative study of cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Check using different risk calculators: Protocol for the RIsk COmmunciation in NHS Health Check (RICO) study. Poster presented at Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, 5th-7th September, 2018, Hilton Hotel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Povey, P. (2018). Improving Risk Communication in the NHS Health Check Programme. Oral presentation presented at Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference, 5th-7th September, 2018, Hilton Hotel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Gidlow, C., Riley, V. (2018). Improving Risk Communication in NHS Health Checks. Oral presentation presented at 8 Minutes to Impact: Staff Research Conference, 24th May 2018, Staffordshire University.

Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Cowap, L., Riley, V., Crone, D., Cottrell, E., Grogan, S., Chambers, R., and Clark-Carter, D. (2018). A qualitative study of cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Check using different risk calculators: protocol for the RIsk COmmunciation in NHS Health Check (RICO) study. Poster presented at the PHE Public Health Research and Science conference 2018, 20th March 2018, Warwick University.

Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Cowap, L., Riley, V., Crone, D., Cottrell, E., Grogan, S., Chambers, R., and Clark-Carter, D. (2018). A qualitative study of cardiovascular disease risk communication in NHS Health Check using different risk calculators: protocol for the RIsk COmmunciation in NHS Health Check (RICO) study. Poster presented at the Getting Serious About Cardiovascular Disease Prevention 2018: Reducing Variation and Optimising Care, 8th February 2018, The Kia Oval, London.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., and Povey, R. (2018). Improving Risk Communication in the NHS Health Check Programme. Poster presented at the Getting Serious About Cardiovascular Disease Prevention 2018: Reducing Variation and Optimising Care, 8th February 2018, The Kia Oval, London.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N. (2017). Improving Uptake in the NHS Health Check Programme. Oral Presentation presented PgR Conference, 24th May 2017, Staffordshire University.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., and Povey, R. (2017). Uptake in the NHS Health Check Programme: Practice Influences from the Perspectives of General Practice Staff. Poster presented at the Getting Serious About Prevention 2017: Improving Cardiovascular Health Together conference, 9th February 2017, The Principal Manchester Hotel, Manchester.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., and Ellis, N. (2016). Improving Uptake in the NHS Health Check Programme. Oral Presentation presented at BPS West Midlands Branch Annual Conference, 5th September 2016, Birmingham City University.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., and Povey, R. (2016). Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk Communication and Uptake in the NHS Health Check Programme. Poster presented at the Staffordshire University Health Psychology Conference, 30th June 2016, Staffordshire University.

Riley, V., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Povey, R. (2016). Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk Communication and Uptake in the NHS Health Check Programme. Poster presented at the PgR Conference, 16th May 2016, Staffordshire University.

Begum, S., Povey, R., Gidlow, C., Ellis, N., Duval, L., and Riley, V. (2015). Behavioural analysis of group-based weight management interventions. Poster presented at the Health Research Conference, 12th October 2015, Wade Hall, North Staffordshire Medical Institute.

Fern, V., Buckley, E., and Grogan, S. (2012). The impact on women’s body image and weight loss after birth. Paper presented at the British Psychology Society Scottish Branch Undergraduate Student Conference, 17th March 2012, University of Glasgow.

victoria.riley@staffs.ac.uk