Dr Leona Ryan
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drleonaryan.bsky.social
Dr Leona Ryan
@drleonaryan.bsky.social
Medical/Health Psychologist | SFI Scholar | mHealth | Obesity | Digital Mental Health | AI @UniofGalway.bsky.social
Project Lead: @rcsi.bsky.social @smart-ie.bsky.social
Info: https://vista-apro.eu/smart-ie/
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2385-3439
Pinned
🚨New Paper🚨

Empowering GPs:AI Virtual Humans for Better Weight Management Conversations!

Our pilot study found an AI-driven Virtual Human tool informed by behavioral science & planning group input improved GPs' knowledge, empathy,confidence,and reduced obesity stigma.
doi.org/10.1002/osp4...
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Amazing how different Sean Bean looks in real life to the movies

(A joke that I accept will baffle many)
November 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
New book chapter on #digitalhealth interventions in public health: link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Includes a discussion on why they are not used as frequently as we might have hoped, and what intervention developers and policy makers can do to improve the utility of digital interventions.
Digital Public Health
This open access book gives an overview of the core issues in digital public health, such as prevention, population health, and health systems.
link.springer.com
September 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
A joy to run the @ehpscreaters.bsky.social Pre-Conference Workshop on Preregistration and Registered Reports with @rorycoyne.bsky.social

We explored
✍how preregistration can be applied within quantitative, qualitative and evidence synthesis research
📕 RRs for early career researchers
#EHPS2025
August 27, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Well done to Dr Leona Ryan @drleonaryan.bsky.social on presenting findings from our recent study evaluating an AI-driven virtual human intervention for GP obesity education and training #EHPS2025 @profjanewalsh.bsky.social @ehps.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Delighted to present our AI-driven VH obesity education and communication skills training tool for GPs - a proof-of-concept for the successful translation of behavioural science concepts into novel technology to address identified challenges in medical education @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social #EHPS2025
Well done to Dr Leona Ryan @drleonaryan.bsky.social on presenting findings from our recent study evaluating an AI-driven virtual human intervention for GP obesity education and training #EHPS2025 @profjanewalsh.bsky.social @ehps.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
The #Gaza famine has unfolded in front of the world’s eyes.

We saw it coming.
We warned about it.
We were not allowed to stop it.

Now, as we count the lives lost to this intentional starvation, there is only one question to ask leaders: Where is humanity?

End the blockade of aid TODAY.
CEASEFIRE!
August 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Delighted this paper is published! It reports the effects of our task shifted multi-component mental health intervention (incorporating peer support, psycho-education, mindfulness and behavioural activation) on psychological distress among persons with disabilities @rcsipophealth.bsky.social
The effects of a task shifted multi-component mental health intervention to support prosthetic and orthotic service users in Cambodia: a non-randomised controlled study - International Journal of Ment...
Background Mental health disorders are major public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Cambodia, where chronic shortages in mental health services and human re...
ijmhs.biomedcentral.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Attending #EHPS2025 and interested in digi health? @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social has a list to help you navigate to relevant presentations - bit.ly/EHPS2025Digi.... See you in Groningen next week! @thomasgultzow.bsky.social @mindwaveprof.bsky.social @hollieasmith.bsky.social @alearuf.bsky.social
EHPS_SIG_digital_sessions__2025.xls
bit.ly
August 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
🔔 Two days left to apply! This is your chance to meet this year's keynote speakers over coffee.
Heading to the EHPS conference this summer? Sign up for Meet the Experts, your chance for an informal, relaxed chat over coffee with this year’s keynote speakers and fellow ECRs. It’s a friendly space to connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired. ☕

🔗 More info & sign-up: forms.gle/uEmSpvexdpru...
August 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Attending the 39th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society in the Netherlands?✈️

All additional travel information, local tips, and useful contacts are available at:
🔗 2025.ehps.net/travelling-w...

We look forward to seeing you soon! #EHPS2025 #EHPS25 #UMCG #Groningen
August 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
A new publication by Dr Tina Bedenik & Prof Kathleen Bennett in collab w/ @hiqa.bsky.social colleagues explores perspectives of key stakeholders on role of patients in use of health data for primary & secondary purposes in Irl.

doi.org/10.1186/s409...

@researchireland.ie @futureneuro.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
We're recruiting for a lecturer in health psychology to join our team. The postholder will participate in the teaching, facilitation & examining of the undergrad & grad teaching programmes of @rcsipsychology.bsky.social.

my.corehr.com/pls/coreport...

@sphereprogramme.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Make your EHPS 2025 experience seamless!

Access the latest schedule, receive live updates, and connect with other participants—all through the official app.

Download today:
🍏 Apple Store: apps.apple.com/rs/app/easyp...
🤖 Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/d...

#EHPS2025 #EasyPlatform
August 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Really excited about this crossover event! @ehps.bsky.social @ehpsdigihealth.bsky.social
🚀 Excited for EHPS 2025?

Join the Joint Digital Health/Habit SIG event in Groningen!

💡Embracing AI for habit-based interventions
🗓️ Thurs, 28 Aug | 🕐 1–2pm local (UTC+2)
🗣️ Speakers: Amanda Rebar & Benjamin Gardner

#EHPS2025 #HealthPsychology #HabitResearch #DigitalHealth #AIinHealth
August 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
We are the SMART-IE Collective, a group of researchers, clinicians, academics, policy makers, government body officials and experts by lived experience - Our aim is to learn how to successfully introduce and evaluate digital mental health tools to support university students mental well-being.
August 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
Check out & follow the @smart-ie.bsky.social Research Group!

Our project is dedicated to supporting the sustainable implementation of digital mental health solutions in university settings. You can find more information and project updates on our website.

Visit us here: vista-apro.eu/smart-ie/
August 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Check out & follow the @smart-ie.bsky.social Research Group!

Our project is dedicated to supporting the sustainable implementation of digital mental health solutions in university settings. You can find more information and project updates on our website.

Visit us here: vista-apro.eu/smart-ie/
August 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
🚨New Paper🚨

Empowering GPs:AI Virtual Humans for Better Weight Management Conversations!

Our pilot study found an AI-driven Virtual Human tool informed by behavioral science & planning group input improved GPs' knowledge, empathy,confidence,and reduced obesity stigma.
doi.org/10.1002/osp4...
July 30, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My teabags are feeding into my existential crisis this morning 🥹
May 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
📣 Exciting news!

Applications are open for our @ehps2025.bsky.social pre-conference workshop on "Open Science Practices: Preregistrations and Registered Reports" with @emmajnorris.bsky.social and @rorycoyne.bsky.social!

Get more info and apply here until May 11th: forms.gle/1DCbYR84c9qE...
April 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
🚨 Deadline extended 🚨

Planning to attend @ehps2025.bsky.social ? You are a PhD student or postdoc?

Check out our @ehpscreaters.bsky.social pre-conference workshop!

Apply by May 26th! More info 👇

@ehps.bsky.social @ehpsopenscisig.bsky.social
📣 Exciting news!

Applications are open for our @ehps2025.bsky.social pre-conference workshop on "Open Science Practices: Preregistrations and Registered Reports" with @emmajnorris.bsky.social and @rorycoyne.bsky.social!

Get more info and apply here until May 11th: forms.gle/1DCbYR84c9qE...
May 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
We are excited to host Dr. Alfonso Abizaid from @carleton.ca next Wednesday for the 6th talk of the 2025 #ObesitySeminarSeries of IUCPQ!
May 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
I wrote a blog for the @sphereprogramme.bsky.social website! ✨
An alluring blog 'A Year Well Spent: Preparing to Conduct Research in the Area of Mental Health', authored by SPHeRE Scholar Rebecca Trower, has been publish on the SPHeRE website. Read the entire blog here
www.sphereprogramme.ie/a-year-well-...
A Year Well Spent: Preparing to Conduct Research in the Area of Mental Health by Rebecca Trower | The SPHeRE Programme | Structured Population and Health-services Research Education
www.sphereprogramme.ie
April 16, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Dr Leona Ryan
We've @drleonaryan.bsky.social released a preprint of our study: VITAL-COMS, a novel digital simulation tool designed to improve healthcare professionals' communication skills when discussing weight with patients #weightstigma #obesity #HealthCommunication #GenAI 1/4
April 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM