Dr Jon Dickson

DFSRH, DRCOG, MRCGP, BSc (Hons), BMBCh, PhD

School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Clinical Lecturer

Photo of John Dickson, Senior Clinical Lecturer
Profile picture of Photo of John Dickson, Senior Clinical Lecturer
j.m.dickson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2081

Full contact details

Dr Jon Dickson
School of Medicine and Population Health
Sam Fox House
Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
Sheffield
S5 7AU
Profile

My first degree was a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Sheffield. After graduating in 1996, I undertook a PhD investigating the cognitive and motor consequences of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (2000). In 2001, I was awarded a Lectureship at the University of Sheffield, where I taught neuroanatomy and continued my research using neuroimaging and neuropsychological techniques to study neurological disorders.  

In 2003 I began my medical studies at Magdalen College, Oxford. During this time I continued my research and scholarship into neurological disorders and medical education, and I was awarded the Apgar prize for teaching in 2006 by Magdalen College.  After receiving my MBChB in 2007, I started foundation training in the South Yorkshire Deanery, followed by GP training. 

In 2012, I became a member of the Royal College of GPs (RCGP). I took up a post as NIHR Clinical Lecturer in general practice at the University of Sheffield from 2012–2016, after which I became a Senior Clinical Lecturer within the Primary Care Research Group in the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR).

Research interests

My research at the University of Sheffield focuses on primary care, neuroscience and neurology.  

I am the author of 45 full-length papers in peer-reviewed journals, and 13 book chapters, reports, clinical practice guidelines and opinion pieces. I have also been an investigator on research grants worth over £5.5 million. 

I am joint Chief Investigator on the NIHR funded RADOSS project. I am an investigator within the primary care theme of the Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaborative (ARC), and I am the primary care lead in the Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) (EDI theme).  

My methodological expertise includes quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and evidence synthesis.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Peacock M, Bissell P, Reuber M, Gray C, Grünewald R & Dickson JM (2025) . SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 8, 100578-100578. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Windeatt-Harrison IL, Walker T, Bell SM, Blackburn D, Dickson JM, Jones S, Wardrope A & Reuber M (2024) . Research on Language and Social Interaction, 57(4), 399-416. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lassa S, Burton C & Dickson JM (2024) . BJGP open, BJGPO.2024.0074. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cotterill CL, Booth A, Dickson JM & Hind D (2024) . BJGP Open. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Noble AJ, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, McKinlay A, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Morris B , Hughes D et al (2024) . Health and social care delivery research, 12(24), 1-158. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Noble AJ, Morris B, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Hughes D , Marson A et al (2024) . Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, 118, 17-27. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holmes E, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, McKinlay A, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Foster D , Hardman K et al (2024) . Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, 118, 28-37. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Fox MN, Dickson JM, Burch P, Hind D & Hawksworth L (2024) . BJGP Open. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Goodacre S, Sutton L, Ennis K, Thomas B, Hawksworth O, Iftikhar K, Croft SJ, Fuller G, Waterhouse S, Hind D , Stevenson M et al (2024) . Health Technology Assessment, 28(16), 1-93. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Noble AJ, Morris B, Bonnet LJ, Reuber M, Mason S, Wright J, Pilbery R, Bell F, Shillito T, Marson AG & Dickson JM (2024) . Epilepsy & Behavior, 151. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Peacock M, Bissell P, Ellis J, Dickson JM, Wardrope A, Grünewald R & Reuber M (2023) . Epilepsy and Behavior, 148. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Goodacre S, Sutton L, Thomas B, Hawksworth O, Iftikhar K, Croft S, Fuller G, Waterhouse S, Hind D, Bradburn M , Smyth MA et al (2023) . Emergency Medicine Journal, 40(11), 768-776. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wardrope A, Bell S, Blackburn D, Dickson J, Reuber M & Walker T (2023) . Journal of Medical Ethics, 49(7), 493-494. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Hilton A, Kelsall C & Cormack L (2023) . British Journal of General Practice, 73(730), 198-199. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wigglesworth S, Neligan A, Dickson JM, Pullen A, Yelland E, Anjuman T & Reuber M (2023) . Seizure - European Journal of Epilepsy, 105, 37-42. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Noble AJ, Mason SM, Bonnett LJ, Reuber M, Wright J, Pilbery R, Jacques RM, Simpson RM, Campbell R, Fuller A , Marson AG et al (2022) . BMJ Open, 12(11). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Peacock M, Dickson J, Bissell P, Grunewald R & Reuber M (2022) . Journal of Psychosocial Studies, 15(1), 36-51. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Clark J, Copsey B, Wright-Hughes A, McNaught E, Bijsterveld P, McCormack T, Foy R, Wilkes S, Dickson J, Meads D , Farrin A et al (2022) . BMJ Open, 12(5). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Burton C, Stone T, Oliver P, Dickson JM, Lewis J & Mason SM (2022) . Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 3-9. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Goodacre S, Thomas B, Smyth M & Dickson JM (2021) . BMJ, 2021(375). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Quah MCH, Marney BC, Cooper RJ & Dickson JM (2021) . Clinical Case Reports, 9(7). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Andrews J, Weiner K, Will C, Henwood F & Dickson J (2020) . British Journal of General Practice Open (BJGP Open), 4(5). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes-Gooding T, Dickson J, O'Keeffe C & Mason S (2020) . Emergency Medicine Journal, 37(10), 605-610. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davies P, Reuber M, Grunewald R, Howell S, Dickson J, Dennis G, Shanmugarajah P, Tsironis T & Brockington A (2020) . Seizure, 79, 8-13. RIS download Bibtex download
  • O'Cathain A, Simpson R, Phillips M & Dickson J (2020) . British Journal of General Practice Open (BJGP Open), 4(2). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Mathieson A, Marson AG, Jackson M, Ridsdale L, Goodacre S, Dickson JM & Noble AJ (2020) . Seizure, 76, 156-160. RIS download Bibtex download
  • O'Cathain A, Knowles E, Dickson J, Long J, Connell J, Bishop-Edwards L, Simpson R, Coster J, Abouzeid L, Bennett S , Croot E et al (2020) . Health Services and Delivery Research, 8(15). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Noble AJ, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Holmes EA, Morgan M, McKinlay A, Dickson JM, Jackson M, Hughes DA, Goodacre S & Marson AG (2019) . BMJ Open, 9(11). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Jacques RM, Reuber M, Hick J, Campbell MJ, Morley R & Grunewald RA (2018) . BMJ Open, 8(10). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Narice BF, Delaney B & Dickson JM (2018) . BMC Family Practice, 19. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM (2018) The importance of GPs for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Professional, 49, 20-25. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Asghar ZB & Siriwardena AN (2018) . Seizure , 57, 38-44. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Rawlings GH, Grünewald RA, Miles K, Mack C, Heywood T & Reuber M (2017) An alternative care pathway for suspected seizures in pre-hospital care: a service evaluation. British Paramedic Journal, 2(2), 22-28. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Delaney B & Connor ME (2017) . J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 43(4), 296-301. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Dudhill H, Shewan J, Mason S, GrÏ‹newald RA & Reuber M (2017) . BMJ Open, 7(7). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Peacock M, Grünewald RA, Howlett S, Bissell P & Reuber M (2017) . BMJ Case Reports, 2017. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Taylor LH, Shewan J, Baldwin T, Grünewald RA & Reuber M (2016) . BMJ Open, 6(2). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Scott PA & Reuber M (2015) . SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY, 30, 26-31. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Osborne A, Taylor L, Reuber M, Grünewald RA, Parkinson M & Dickson JM (2015) . Seizure, 24, 82-87. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Naylor G, Colver G, Powers HJ & Masters P (2014) . BMJ Case Reports, 2014. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Smithson WH, Hukins D, Buelow JM, Allgar V & Dickson JM (2013) Adherence to medicines and self-management of epilepsy: A community-based study. Epilepsy and Behavior, 26, 109-113. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Harrington R & Carter MJ (2011) . Clin Teach, 8(1), 8-12. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Warren DJ, Chapman ALN, Anoop U, Hayat H & Bhattacharya D (2010) . BMJ Case Rep, 2010. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Farrow TFD, Dickson JM & Grünewald RA (2006) . Pediatr Neurol, 35(4), 257-260. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Wilkinson ID, Howell SJL, Griffiths PD & Grünewald RA (2006) . J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 77(7), 834-840. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Reynders HJ, Broks P, Dickson JM, Lee CE & Turpin G (2005) . Epilepsy Behav, 7(3), 419-429. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Weavers HM, Mitchell N, Winter EM, Wilkinson ID, Van Beek EJR, Wild JM & Griffiths PD (2005) . Int J Sports Med, 26(6), 481-485. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilkinson ID, Hadjivassiliou M, Dickson JM, Wallis L, Grünewald RA, Coley SC, Widjaja E & Griffiths PD (2005) . J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 76(7), 1011-1013. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM & Grunewald RA (2004) . PARKINSONISM RELAT D, 10(8), 487-492. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wignall EL, Dickson JM, Vaughan P, Farrow TFD, Wilkinson ID, Hunter MD & Woodruff PWR (2004) . Biol Psychiatry, 56(11), 832-836. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Weavers HM, Mitchell N, Winter EM, Wilkinson ID, VanBeek EJR & Griffiths PD (2003) . Neuroradiology, 45(12), 896-899. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Kimaro A, Sxe Chang C & Hind D () . BJGP Open, BJGPO.2025.0064-BJGPO.2025.0064. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • Dickson J, Wilmer I, James C, Grunewald R, Siriwardena N, Reuber M, Wiles J & England E (2019) Convulsions in Adults In Brown SN, Kumar D, James C & Mark J (Ed.), United Kingdom Ambulance Services Clinical Practice Guidelines Bridgwater: Class Professional Publishing. RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Norton AC, Twohig-Bennett C, Smeaton M, Marson A, Armstrong J, Kovac A, Ashby S, Cock H, Coxon A, Dickson JM , Fearon A et al (2025) . Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy, Vol. 125 (pp 152-161). England RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson J, Grunewald R, Reuber M, Gray C, Peacock M, Bissell P, Carusi A & Bracken P (2020) . Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder: Metaphysics, Epistemology and Ontology, 18 October 2019. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Grunewald RA, Dickson JM, Hick J, Jacques R, Campbell M, Morely R & Reuber M (2018) . JNNP(Suppl 1) (pp A8-A8), 3 May 2017. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Howell SJ, Griffiths P, Wilkinson I & Grunewald RA (2003) Memory performance and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the temporal lobes in idiopathic generalised epilepsy. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY, Vol. 74(10) (pp 1449-1450) RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

  • Dickson J (2023) A new tool for inclusive participation in primary care research RIS download Bibtex download
  • Campbell F, Sworn K, Booth A, Reuber M, Grunewald R, Mack C & Dickson J (2019) Epilepsy Specialist Nurses The Evidence (ESPENTE): a Systematic Mapping Review RIS download Bibtex download

Posters

  • Hughes-Gooding TA, Mason S, Dickson JM & Stone T (2017) Modelling the Flow of Seizure Patients in the Urgent and Emergency Care System. ILAE British Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM (2017) Can free association narrative interviews help to extend understandings of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. 3rd International Conference on Functional (Psychogenic) Neurological Disorders, 6-8 September 2017,. RIS download Bibtex download

Theses / Dissertations

  • Dickson J (2000) The neuropathology of Parkinson's disease : cognitive and motor consequences.. RIS download Bibtex download

Presentations

  • Dickson J Primary/secondary care interface and care pathways in neurology, Neurology Service Managers network meeting.. Manchester. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM, Simpson R, Jacques R, Ahmed N, Grunewald R, Reuber M & Mason S Exploring Discordance Between Epilepsy Prevalence and Age-Specific Admission Rates for Seizures. Sheffield. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hughes-Gooding TH, Mason S, Dickson JM & Stone T Stone Modelling the Flow of Seizure Patients in the Urgent and Emergency Care System. Sheffield. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dickson JM Emergency Health Services for Epilepsy, Plenary Presentation, ILAE British Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting. Leeds. RIS download Bibtex download

Other

  • Dickson J, Grunewald R, Reuber M, Gray C, Bracken P, Peacock M, Bissell P & Carusi A () . RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching activities

As a PhD student, I was a neuroanatomy demonstrator in the anatomy laboratory using cadaveric dissection. I was awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert) in 2000, and from 2001–2003 I was the lead for neuroanatomy teaching on both BSc and MBChB courses at the University of Sheffield. This involved delivering a BSc lecture module, leading cadaveric neuroanatomy classes for BSc students and Phase 1 medical students, and setting/marking examinations.  

I have published innovative work on peer teaching, won the Apgar prize for teaching (Magdalen, Oxford), taught and supervised medical students, GP trainees, MSc students, PhD students, and clinical academics trainees.  

I am the co-lead of Phase 2a Neurology of the MBChB course at the University of Sheffield, and I am working on the course wide curriculum review.

Professional activities and memberships

I work in the NHS as a GP and as Clinical Lead for Research at Primary Care Sheffield, where we work in partnership with academic and commercial organisations on research collaborations and research delivery projects. Since 2012 I have been Principal Investigator for over 30 studies, recruiting over 2,000 patients to research delivery projects including qualitative studies, interventional studies and randomised controlled trials.  

My research delivery work has included membership of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H) primary care steering group (2015-2021),  membership of the CRN’s national primary care strategy working group, and I currently lead two NIHR RRDN Y&H funded research clusters (groups of research active GP practices) in Sheffield.  This work builds capacity for NHS primary care research and develops the synergy between the NHS, Universities and the life sciences industry.

I have been involved in national NHS policy on epilepsy care for over 10 years. I was a member of the NICE epilepsy Guideline Development Group (2019-2022), I was the Chair of the Convulsions Guideline Development Group for the UK paramedics Clinical Guidelines (‘JRCALC’) in 2019 and a member of the group when the guidelines were revised in 2024. I was a member of Epilepsy Action’s Medical Advisory Board (2017-2023) and I have been a member of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) since 2018, an advisory group member for the NHS Right Care Epilepsy Toolkit  (2019-2020), a member of Clinical Working Group for epilepsy which was part of the Specialised Adult Neuroscience Transformation programme at NHS England (2018-2019), a Neurology Intelligence Collaborative member at Public Health England in 2019 and a National Neurology Advisory Group (NNAG) member, hosted by the Neurological Alliance, in 2018.

I have also been a member of the NIHR RfPB Y&H funding panel (2019 – 2022), a Clinical Advisor to the RCGP (2018 – 2021), plus an advisor or Peer Reviewer for the following journals, publications, and organisations: NICE, The King’s Fund, Seizure, the British Journal of General Practice, HS&DR (Health Services and Delivery Research, Health Technology Assessment) of the NIHR, HTA (Health Technology Assessment programme) of the NIHR, the Palliative and Supportive Care journal, the Map of Medicine, RCGP e-learning package for motor neurone disease (in association with the MND association).  I have been a member of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC), and was a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) since I qualified (2012-2024).