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The 8th International Spirituality in Healthcare Conference, ‘ The Spiritual Imperative in Healthcare: Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Nurturing Resilience’' will take place on 6th June 24.

Notable national and international scholars will offer philosophical, contemplative, medical, psychological, nursing, organisational, and well-being perspectives to develop insights and strategies to promote well-being and resiliency. Call for abstract details are available on the link here.

 

Trinity Spirituality & Research Innovation Group's

'Revisioning Spiritual Healthcare' Seminar Series, has recommenced, which will run from January to May 2024. A webinar event will be held monthly, with experts and scholars in the field focusing on aspects of resilience from the UK, Portugal, Poland, and the USA

Seminars as follows:

Seminar 1: January 2024, 13.00-14.00 (GMT): Spirituality as a Way of Knowing
Seminar 2: February 22nd, 2024, 12.00-13.00 (GMT): Emotional and Spiritual Wellbeing and Resilience of Advanced Practice Nurses, Presented by Prof Melanie Rogers, Professor of Advanced Practice and Spirituality at the University of Huddersfield, UK.
Seminar 3: March 21st, 2024, 13.00-14.00 (GMT): Spirituality and Resilience
Presented by Dr Sílvia Caldeira, Associate Professor at Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Seminar 4: April 4th, 2024, 13.00-14.00 (GMT) : Spiritual sensitivity - is it the nurses’ strength?
Presented by Dr Beata Dobrowolska, Associate Professor in Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
Seminar 5: May 9th 2024, 15.00-16.00 (GMT) Visionary Leadership - Integrating Caring Science, Spirituality and Resilience in Healthcare Presented by Dr Sara Horton-Deutsch, Professor and Director of University of San Francisco/Kaiser Permanente Partnership, USA.
Watson Caring Science Faculty Associate and Director of the Caritas Leadership Program.

We hope that you can join us.

 

Research Impact Case Study Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our first School of Nursing & Midwifery Research Impact Case Study competition!

Dr Susan Hannon - Maternal resilience: Reconsidering an academic conceptualization from mothers’ perspectives.

IDS-TILDA - Transforming Health Care Delivery: Launching the National Intellectual Disability Memory Service

Dr Eilish Burke - Empowering Healthcare: A Transformative Odyssey from Research to Practice in Intellectual Disability Health Assessment

The quality of entries to the competition was very high. We were delighted to receive submissions from researchers across our School who are working on diverse and important topics in healthcare and making a positive impact through their research.

Children in Refuge Report launched on World Children’s Day

Dr Eleanor Hollywood, together with colleagues from the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS), was delighted to launch the final report of the case study research entitled ‘An Evaluation of the ‘Where I’m At’ Project at Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS)’ on World Children's Day, 20th November 2023.

An evaluation of the ‘Where I’m At’ project which forms part of the Children’s Programme at Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS) was conducted to review the impact of the project and to make recommendations and plan for the future of the project. A case study evaluation was conducted using qualitative methods, involving detailed interviews with children and women in refuge and staff who work in the refuge.
Findings from this research indicate that the ‘Where I’m At’ project is a significantly valuable component of the Children’s Programme at MWRSS. The project has had a positive impact on children and women in refuge and is a welcome addition to the existing Children’s Programme at MWRSS. The role of the Childrens Support Worker cannot be underestimated as indicated from the numerous positive interview extracts from women and children who participated in the project. This research has showcased how the Childrens Support Worker provides support for the child individually and within their family. In this research the Childrens Support Worker was identified as a key player in the transition of women and children into refuge. Findings also indicate that women and children would like more access to, and time with, the Childrens Support Worker while in refuge.

Photo  (L to R)
Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, Dr Eleanor Hollywood, Associate Professor in Children’s Nursing, Ms Sinéad Smith, CEO MWRSS


The report launch was attended by Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children who spoke about the impact of domestic abuse on children and their families. The report is available to access here.

 

A big congratulations to our PhD student Norma Caples

A big congratulations to our PhD student Norma Caples, who was awarded an honorary fellowship by the National Institute of Preventive Cardiology (NIPC) on Friday November 24th. The NIPC Fellowship honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and influential work, and who have made highly significant contributions in cardiovascular disease prevention.  NIPC Fellows are recognised experts and opinion leaders in the field of preventive cardiology and it also represents the highest level of recognition afforded by the NIPC and carries the credential of FIPC (Hon.).

Late-stage cancer diagnosis for people with intellectual or developmental disability

Dr. Martin McMahon, Professor Philip McCallion, and Professor Mary McCarron from TCAID recently published an Editorial in 'Cancer' entitled:

'An invisible population: Late-stage cancer diagnosis for people with intellectual or developmental disability'

In this Editorial, they discuss recent evidence on how people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic breast (female) and colorectal cancer compared to the general population. They also highlight the urgent need to develop effective strategies aimed at reducing this inequity for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

This thematic area of work is aligned with the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability Strategy 2023 - 2028, which seeks to create care pathways for poorly understood diseases such as cancer in older people with intellectual disability.

Click here to access the Editorial

Click here to access the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability Strategy 2023 - 2028

 

Winner of the Research Paper of the Year category at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2023

Congratulations to Emergency Department team in CHI Crumlin and Professor Agnes Higgins on winning the Research Paper of the Year category at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2023. Their paper is on Staff competence in caring for LGBTQ+ patients in the paediatric emergency department.

Please click here to access the paper.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

For more information on the School of Nursing & Midwifery PhD programme, please click here

For more information on the TRDA PG Research Studentship, please click here

Published Report: An Evaluation of the Barnardo’s Ballybeg Playground Service

Report written by Dr Eleanor Hollywood, Dr Sonam Banka Cullen, Ms. Maryanne Murphy and Professor Catherine Comiskey.

An evaluation of the Barnardos Ballybeg Playground service was conducted to explore the experiences and impact of the service on the children, families, and the local community of Ballybeg, Waterford. A case study evaluation was conducted using qualitative methods, involving detailed interviews with children attending the service, their parents, staff, and volunteers, as well as the gathering of fieldnotes.

The objectives of the evaluation were:
1. To explore children’s experiences of their involvement in the service and what this means / how it has impacted on their lives.
2. To explore parents’ experiences of the service and evaluate their perceptions of their child’s involvement.
3. To explore how the programme is delivered in order to understand “what works” for children attending the service, as well as potential barriers to achieve service goals and objectives.
4. To examine the culture of the service and its delivery of child-centred, play-based supports.
5. To explore the impact of the service from the perspective of staff and volunteers within the service.
6. To examine the links with the local community and the impact of the service on the local community.

Summary of Key Findings
Case study research was the chosen methodology for this evaluation, the hallmark of which is that it uses ‘multiple sources of evidence’ to explore the phenomenon of interest. One of the main objectives of the evaluation was to explore children’s experiences of their involvement in the service, what it means to them and how it has impacted on their lives thus the voice of the child was a key aspect of this evaluation. Drawing from the ‘multiple sources of evidence’ gathered for the evaluation the findings indicate that the Barnardos Ballybeg Playground service has an exceptionally positive impact on the lives of the children who use it. This is evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive accounts expressed by the children, parents, Barnardos staff, volunteers and stakeholders who participated in the evaluation.

 

 

The full report is available here

 

Celebrating Advanced Practice Week 2023

 

In celebration of Advanced Practice Week, the School of Nursing and Midwifery are hosting a seminar for nurses and midwives who are currently considering a career in Advanced Nursing or Midwifery Practice.

This event is an opportunity to:
- Learn about the one year part-time Advanced Practice Nursing/Midwifery course and the clinical practicum requirements
- Meet with lecturers and recent graduates
- Hear presentations from current Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners and ask questions

This is a free event, but attendees are asked to register using the Eventbrite link below.
Celebrating Advanced Practice Week 2023
Time & Date: 10am-1pm, Thursday 9 November
Location: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
Lecture Theatre 2.57, 24 D'Olier Street, D02 T283, Dublin 2

Register Now

SEURO Project has been shortlisted as a finalist for the "Best Application of AI to achieve Social Good" category at the 2023 AI Awards Ireland.

Founded in 2018, the AI Awards unites academia and industry to recognise and promote exceptional AI work in Ireland. It aims to showcase AI research, applications, and products, positioning Ireland as a global hub for AI investment and job creation. On 9th of October 2023 SEURO (Scaling EUROpean citizen driven transferable and transformative digital health) Project (Horizon 2020 Project, grant no: 945449) has been shortlisted as a finalist for the "Best Application of AI to achieve Social Good" category at the 2023 AI Awards Ireland. Awards ceremony is set to take place on the 21st of November at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin Docklands.

 

Funding received to contribute to the HSE publication "A Framework for Sexual Safety in Approved & Designated Centres"

This is the first HSE policy based on sexual safety in approved and designated centres and an important milestone in advancing adult safeguarding responses. Prof Phelan is responsible for leading the section based on rights-based approaches and positive approaches to sex, sexuality and relationships. She will work within the HSE Quality and Patient Safety team, colleagues from UCC and Grant Thornton.

Successful IRC New Foundations funding for a research project entitled "Developing a guidance booklet for older people considering transitioning to nursing homes."

In Ireland, approximately 32,000 older people live in nursing homes. This usually happens after a crisis event where health status or support systems no longer meet care needs. In a 2022 Health Information and Quality Authority survey, just half of residents said they had enough information on what life would be like in residential care. Our project, working with Sage Advocacy, aims to co-design an information booklet with nursing home residents using their experiences on what their lives are like and what would have been useful to know in making a decision and preparing to live in a nursing home.

 

Advancing midwifery research at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP)

Ita Kinsella, Director of Midwifery, Portlaoise Maternity Hospital, and Deirdre Daly, Director of the Trinity Centre for Maternity Care Research (TCMCR) are delighted to announce that they have received research grant funding from NMPDU Midlands to conduct two research studies focused on supporting Advanced Midwife Practitioners and senior midwives to conduct research that will advance services for women.

Congratulations on your great achievment!

Dr. Louise Daly Receives IJOPN 2022 Editorial Board Member Award

Congratulations to our colleague Dr Louise Daly, who has received the International Journal of Older People Nursing 2022 Editorial Board Member Award for her exceptonal service to the journal.

Click here for more information about the awards

HRB to develop Ireland’s first mental health research & evaluation strategy

Professor Agnes Higgins invited to join the Heath Research Boards Expert Advisory Group to develop a National Population Mental Health and Mental Health Research and Evaluation Strategy and an associated Implementation Plan. The Group will be made up of key stakeholders from the Department of Health, the HRB and relevant expert organisations and institutions. This will be Ireland’s first mental health research and evaluation strategy.

Click here for further information

Inaugural International Adult Safeguarding Conference

The Inaugural International Adult Safeguarding Conference brings together multi-disciplinary, multi-sector communities to present the best policy, research and practice context in adult safeguarding. The conference is funded by the Health Research Board and can be joined face to face or virtually.

Click here for futher information

Training trial Recruiters - An educational and training INtervention for recruiters to neonatal trials (the TRAIN report)

Prof Valerie Smith is delighted to present the HRB-TMRN-funded TRAIN report. The aim of TRAIN was to develop and assess the acceptability of an education and training intervention for recruiters to neonatal trials. The project aim was achieved in three sequential phases. These were i) evidence syntheses (systematic review, content analysis, concept analysis), ii) intervention development (co-design/co-creation workshops), and iii) intervention pilot and acceptability testing.

Congratulations Valerie for this greatachievement!

Click here to see the report

 

Launch of the report on the Digital ANP Service Improvement Initiative for Children with hydrocephalus. Funded by CHI@temple Street Neurosurgery fund and NMPD Dublin North. Project lead Dr Mary Hughes

The new Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) Hospital will be completely digital with an electronic health record (EHR) and integrated patient portal procured to date. Patient portals provide direct access for health service users to their personal health information held within EHRs at healthcare organisations. Additional functionalities offered by some patient portals include secure messaging with healthcare professionals, prescription renewals and appointment scheduling. The Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) neurosurgical service at CHI at Temple Street provide care for children and young people with hydrocephalus. A patient portal would be highly advantageous to these children, their parents, the healthcare professionals at both CHI and hospitals in regional locations as well as administrators and management. While this project explored the requirements for a patient portal at CHI for children and young people with hydrocephalus, it also identified key considerations for a patient portal nationally and identified the key requirements for interoperability between patient portals and EHRs. Following a scoping review and evidence synthesis, key facilitators and challenges to the interoperability of patient portals with EHRs were identified.

 

1 x Trinity Research Doctorate Award (TRDA) (Full-Time) has been awarded

Congratulations to Deirdre McGuone who has been awarded this prestigious Scholarship. The School would like to take the opportunity to wish her and her supervisors Dr. Frances O’Brien & Dr. Sharon O’Donnell every success with the project.

Please click here for more details.

 

1 x School of Nursing and Midwifery PhD Scholarship (Full-Time) has been awarded

Congratulations to Katie Essenne Deevy who has been awarded this prestigious Scholarship. The School would like to take the opportunity to wish her and her supervisors Professor Mary Hughes & Professor Amanda Phelan every success with the project.

Please click here for more details.

 

Nurse Shauna Delaney Awarded Dean of Health Science Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Professional Practice

Congratulations to Tallaght University Hospital nurse Shauna Delaney who was recently awarded the Dean of Health Science Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Professional Practice. This award was developed to recognise the significant contribution of professionals who do not hold appointments with Trinity who deliver teaching to our undergraduate and postgraduate students. This is a fantastic achievement and you can read more about Shauna’s contribution to teaching and professional practice at the link below.
https://shorturl.at/rwDW0

 

8th HSE West-Mid West Nursing and Midwifery Research and Innovation Conference on 16th May 2023.

Professor Deirdre Daly

Associate Professor

Tel: +353 1 896 2604

Professor Deirdre Daly has been invited to present a keynote conference titled 'Women’s perinatal health in Ireland - areas for advancing midwifery practice', which she has attended with great enthusiasm. Thanks very much Deirdre for your great contribution.

 

 

A new collaborative paper: Positive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ young people in paediatric ED settings but knowledge gaps exist

Trinity researchers and colleagues in Children’s Health Ireland and University College Dublin found that healthcare professionals held positive attitudes towards LGBTQ+ young people but were less confident in their knowledge of specific health issues.

Click here to see to see press release on the Trinity’s 'News & Events' webpage.

Click here to see to see the full paper  

Congratulations Agnes Higgins & team, for such an outstanding contribution!

 

TCPHI - See the most recent publication!

The TCPHI centre and its team, are delighted to announce their latest publication, as a result of their collaboration with the Public Health Nurses in Practice.

Click here to read the publication

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

3 x Summer Scholarships have been awarded

Congratulations to JS student Darren Fitzpatrick who has been awarded a summer scholarship. Darren’s research looks at constipation severity in older people with intellectual disability.

 

Congratulations to JS student Samuel McGrory who has been awarded a summer scholarship. Samuel’s research looks at the use of virtual consultation in outpatient care of people with chronic conditions.

 

Congratulations to JS student Catherina O’Dowd who has been awarded a summer scholarship. Catherina’s research area is maternal, child and family health.

 

Visiting Researcher - Thank you Ms. Anna-Marie Paavonen for your valuable and great contribution!

Ms. Anna-Marie Paavonen

Ms. Anna-Marie Paavonen is visiting Professor Catherine Comiskey’s research team at the Population Health & Behaviour Research Group for the spring 2023. Anna-Marie is visiting from Finland. Her background is in Social Psychology and her special interest is in mental health issues. Anna-Marie has conducted research on rehabilitation services in Finland for five years and she has assisted in gambling-related research projects in New Zealand.

Within the Population Health & Behaviour Research Group Anna-Marie will collaborate in ongoing research projects on homelessness and recovery and on domestic abuse. She will also assist in research supervision within the CHARM-EU Master’s program. Anna-Marie is very enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with Professor Comiskey and her research team. She is looking forward to learning from the team and about health research at the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

 

The MAMMI Study –See the most recent publications!

Hannon, S, Higgins A, Daly D. (2023). Women’s perspectives on resilience and research on resilience in motherhood: A qualitative study. Please click here to read the publication

 

Other media outputs

Culleton-Quinn E. (2023). ‘People just putting up with it is wrong’ - why I’m getting people to talk about incontinence in GAA. Irish Independent, Tuesday 18 April. Please click here to read the article

Culleton-Quinn E (2023) - Over 50% of ladies in GAA suffer from incontinence. Sean Moncrieff Show, Newstalk. Please click here to access the Podcast - Research Team: Culleton-Quinn E, Fleming N, Bo K, Cusack C, Daly D.

 

SEURO project news!

The EU-funded SEURO project was recently covered as a News article on the CORDIS website. The overall aim of SEURO is to evaluate key factors necessary to prepare any EU region to successfully implement and scale the innovative, people-centric digital integrated health and social care solutions for multiple disease management. To achieve this, research will aim to advance three novel implementation support tools using the ProACT platform developed under H2020 (PHC-25-2015, Grant No. 689996). The ProACT platform will be used to test the effectiveness of the SEURO tools. ProACT is a citizen-/people-driven, self-management orientated platform capable of supporting multiple disease management on a single user application.

The project is currently recruitment participants in Ireland, Belgium, and Sweden.  Volunteers will participate in a six-month trial to evaluate a new digital technology to support older people living with multiple health conditions to better self-manage at home.

The team is looking for people aged over 65 and who have been diagnosed with two or more of the following chronic conditions: • Diabetes • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema or chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma • heart failure • chronic heart disease (angina, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, arrhythmia). People in the care network supporting the older person (e.g. family member, informal carer and healthcare professionals) can also participate in the trial.

If you are located in Ireland and are interested in participating in the study or in getting more information, please do not hesitate to contact the following options seuro@tcd.ie or seuro@dkit.ie or phone: (042) 9370296.

The CORDIS News article, which was published in six languages and can be found here

 

New Trinity Postgraduate Scholarship!

A 4 years Postgraduate Research Studentship is available to new entrants on the full-time PhD register for entry in September each year. Applicants must have received a minimum of 2.1 Honours degree to be eligible for the award. The postgraduate studentship aims to support and develop gifted research students and is awarded competitively on academic merit. It fully covers EU or non-EU fees and provides an annual maintenance of €25,000.

Click here for more details

 

2 x School of Nursing and Midwifery PhD Scholarship (Part-Time) have been awarded

Congratulations to Lisa Kirwan and Louise Moore, who have each been awarded the prestigious School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin PhD Award (Part-Time). The School would like to take the opportunity to wish each candidate and their supervisors every success with their projects

Please click here for more details

 

1 x 1252 Stipend has been awarded

Congratulations to Nazia AlAmri who has been awarded this prestigious stipend. The School would like to take the opportunity to wish her and her supervisor Professor Valerie Smith, every success with the project.

Please click here for more details.

Mental Health & Recovery - New Publication!

Dr. Peter Kelly

Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing

Trauma Informed Interventions to Reduce Seclusion, Restraint and Restrictive Practices Amongst Staff Caring for Children and Adolescents with Challenging Behaviours: A Systematic Review

Peter Kelly, Mohamad M Saab, Emma J Hurley, Sinead Heffernan, John Goodwin, Zamzaliza A Mulud, Maria O’Malley, James O Mahony, Margaret Curtin, Gunter Groen, Svetla Ivanova, Astrid Jorns-Presentati, Joonas Korhonen, Kostadin Kostadinov, Mari Lahti, Valentina Lalova, Gergana Petrova & Aine O’Donovan -

Please click here to read the publication

 

The MAMMI Study –See the most recent publications!

O’Malley, D, Higgins, A, Smith,V. (2023). Sexuality of the Couple in Postpartum and Early Parenthood (1st Year). In: Geuens, S, Polona Mivšek, A, Gianotten, W (eds) Midwifery and Sexuality. Springer, Cham - Please click here to read the publication

O’Malley, D, Smith, V, Higgins, A. (2023). Sexual Aspects of Problems in the Postpartum and Early Parenthood (1st Year). In: Geuens, S, Polona Mivšek, A, Gianotten, W (eds) Midwifery and Sexuality. Springer, Cham - Please click here to read the publication

 

Horatio Fellowship awarded to Professor Agnes Higgins!

Professor Agnes Higgins was awarded the Horatio Fellowship award for her outstanding contribution to mental health nursing.

Horatio is the European Psychiatric/mental health nurses organisation that influences European mental health issues with particular reference to the viewpoint of nurses.

On behalf of the entire school community, congratulations to Professor Agnes Higgins on another great achievement!

 

The MAMMI Study –See the most recent publication!

Hannon S, Gartland D, Higgins A, Brown SJ, Begley C, Daly D (2023) Physical health and comorbid anxiety and depression across the first year postpartum in Ireland (MAMMI study): A longitudinal population-based study.  Journal of Affective Disorders.

Please click here to read the publication

Other Publications

Gregory S, Caffery L, Daly D (2023) “It could not have been more different.” Comparing experiences of hospital-based birth and homebirth in Ireland: A mixed-methods survey. Women and Birth DOI

D Wet M, Hannon S, Hannon K, Alexin A, Uusitalo S, Bartels I, Eustave-Cook J, Escuriet R, Daly D (2023) Systematic review of ethical issues in perinatal mental health research. Nursing Ethics DOI

Research Awards

1. Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation PhD Scholarship 2023

We are delighted to be awarded the Panoz Pharmaceutical Innovation PhD Scholarship 2023. We will be advertising for a PhD student soon.

Project: Theoretically informed and data-driven innovations in medication self-management and breast-feeding

Research Team: Professor Tamasine, Grimes, Professor Deirdre D’Arcy, Assistant Professor Juliette O’Connell (School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Associate Professor Deirdre Daly (School of Nursing and Midwifery), Professor Sam Cromie (School of Psychology and Co-Director of the Centre for Innovative Human Systems).

1. HRB Applied Partnership Awards 2022

We are delighted to be awarded the HRB’s Applied Partnership Awards 2022. We will be advertising for a post-doctoral researcher soon.

Project: Health information and education resources for women with epilepsy from preconception to postpartum. (Knowledge users: National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)( My Killian McGrane) and Epilepsy Ireland (Mr Peter Murphy).

Research Team:

Knowledge users: National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)(Mr Killian McGrane) and Epilepsy Ireland (Mr Peter Murphy)

PI Dr Aisling Walsh, RCSI, and co-applicants Associate Professor Deirdre Daly (TCD), Professor Kathleen Bennett and Professor Veronica Lambert (RCSI), Professor Anne Matthews (DCU), Ms Cora Flynn, Office of Nursing and Midwifery Service Director (ONMSD), Ms Sinéad Murphy, RANP Epilepsy, Dr Fergal O'Shaughnessy, Rotunda Hospital, and Mrs Claire Daly, Public Representative.

 

Joint research project on identifying integrated family support approaches for families living in the International Protection Accommodation System (IPAS).

Dr. Eleanor Hollywood

Associate Professor In Children’s Nursing

Tel: +353 1 896 3101

Dr.Eleanor Hollywood, Dr Sonam Banka Cullen and Professor Catherine Comiskey have secured funding from Tusla and the Children’s Rights Alliance to conduct a study to identify the needs of families living in the International Protection Accommodation System (IPAS) and to propose an integrated family support approach that will support the individual needs of families.

Currently Europe is observing the greatest movement of refugees since the Second World War and Ireland has promised to provide support for people fleeing war and persecution through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme which was established in September 2015. Between September 2015 and June 2019, over two and a half thousand people have been relocated or resettled in Ireland under the programme, half of these people were children under the age of 18 years. According to statistics published by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) in January 2022, there are 45 International Protection (Direct Provision) accommodation centres nationwide and 24 emergency accommodation centres. At the beginning of 2022, more than one in four residents in these centres was a child, totaling 1,822 children, living with one or both parents. Previous research has identified a need for the development of tailored family support programmes with a view to providing support for parents as they adjust to living and parenting in a new context of the IPAS. Using case study research this project will explore the current family support practices that are available in the IPAS and examine and evaluate the training and support provided to staff working with families in the IPAS. This research will also explore and identify the needs of families (parents and children) in terms of parenting support and integration.

The MAMMI Study –See the most recent publication!

Panda S, Begley C, Daly D. (2022) Clinicians’ views of factors influencing decision-making for CS for first-time mother - A qualitative descriptive study. PLOS ONE 17(12): 0279403

Please click here to read the publication

 

New All-Ireland Programme To Improve Care For People Experiencing Psychosis

 

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is leading a network of world-leading psychosis experts on a new training and research programme to improve care for people who are experiencing psychosis.

The programme launch to improve care for people experiencing psychosis, which took place at the National Gallery of Ireland, brought together a diverse team with organisational, arts, patient and public involvement (PPI), research, practitioner and academic expertise.

Professor David Cotter, Professor of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, RCSI leads the PSI-STAR team which includes co-leads Professor Mary McCannon, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health at RCSI and Professor Agnes Higgins, Professor in Mental Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin.

Click here to read the full article

 

Congratulations to Dr Nedal Alfasfos who successfully and robustly defended his PhD thesis titled “Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms & their Predictors among Jordanian Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome” on 29th November

Dr. Nedal Alfasfos

 

Nedal has methodological expertise in structural equation modeling and latent variable approaches.   He employed Growth Mixture Modeling to identify the heterogenous trajectories of depressive symptoms after an ACS event. In addition, Nedal examined several characteristics associated with these trajectories. His research is significant and has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of patients.  Nedal completed his PhD under the supervision of Dr Frances O’Brien and Dr Sharon O’Donnell.

On behalf of the entire School Community, congratulations Nedal Alfasfos for this great achievement that makes us very proud!

TACID: In Conversation with the Provost: promoting abilities and inclusion on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, TCAID will be celebrating the abilities of people with an Intellectual Disability and talking about the value and benefits of inclusion

The Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability (TCAID) was delighted to welcome our Provost to have coffee and conversation on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls on the 3rd of December each year, with the aim of promoting empowerment, and helping to create real opportunities for people with disabilities. For 2022, the overarching theme was around innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development. To talk about the impact of this, two important colleagues, Ms Mei Lin Yap and Ms Christina Corr, met with the Provost to talk of their experience about what it is like to work in Trinity College Dublin, their respective roles and career development in TCAID and the impact it has on their lives.

Following the event Mei Lin said “I had an amazing day on Saturday 3rd of December, I met with Professor Linda Doyle, Provost of TCD to mark and celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022. As a young woman with Down Syndrome I shared some stories of my journey to employment, and inclusion in society”. 

Christina Corr said “I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet the Provost and meeting up with my TCD colleagues. It was great to share my experience working as a research assistant within the IDS Tilda team.”

Quote from Professor Mary McCarron: "Today on International Day of Persons with Disabilities we are talking about transformative inclusion, unlocking opportunities and opening new avenues of career development for people with intellectual disability. Mei Lin and Christina’s stories are exemplar of how innovative solutions for employment can create meaningful opportunities for individuals with far reaching impact not only on their roles in the workplace but also build their social network and independence. Inclusive employment in TCAID is about focusing on the abilities, empowering colleagues with ID to take advantage of opportunities, become their own agents of change and embrace their immense strengths and contribution they bring to Trinity College Dublin and broader society as a whole”

 

 

The MAMMI Study in the media

As part of Science week (13-18 November), the MAMMI team were invited to share the following findings from their study  

1) Ireland AM: Women’s Health After Motherhood, (Co-presented with a study participant)- Click here to see the video

2) Evoke.ie: Women’s mental health during and after pregnancy - Click here for more information

3) Rollercoaster.ie: Improving maternal health (Co-presented with a study participant) - Click here for more information

 

The team were also delighted to share the findings with the Prevention and Early Intervention Network, Home Visiting Alliance and Area-Based Childhood Programmes at their event ‘The Pregnancy Equation: Supporting pregnancy + Supporting Parenthood = better family outcomes’ on Thursday 24th November.

 

Their latest publications include:

  • Hannon, S., Newnham, E., Hannon, K., Wuytack, F., Johnson, L., McEvoy, E., & Daly, D. (2022). Positive postpartum well-being: What works for women. Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy25(6), 2971–2981. DOI
  • Daly, D., Moran, P., Wuytack, F., Cusack, C., Hannon, K., & Begley, C. (2022). Prevention and treatment of peripartum urinary incontinence-a survey of hospital-based maternity services in Ireland. International urogynecology journal33(12), 3481–3489 DOI

Other maternal health-related publications include:

  • Hannon, K., Vika Nilsen, AB., Murphy, M., Schauer Eri, T., Leahy-Warren, P., Corcoran, C., Downe, S. & Daly, D. (2022). What women identify as positive aspects and areas for improvement of maternity care and services in Ireland: An online survey. DOI
  • Alòs-Pereñíguez, S., O'Malley, D., & Daly, D. (2022). Women's views and experiences of augmentation of labour with synthetic oxytocin infusion: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Midwifery116, 103512. DOI
  • Leutenegger, V., Grylka-Baeschlin, S., Wieber, F., Daly, D., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2022). The effectiveness of skilled breathing and relaxation techniques during antenatal education on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth22(1), 856. DOI

 

We are pleased to share the following recent publications from the field of addictions, by Dr. Peter Kelly of the mental health nursing team

Dr. Peter Kelly

Assistant Professor in Midwifery

 

- Healy, R., Goodwin, J. and Kelly, P., 2022. ‘As for dignity and respect…. me bollix’: A human rights-based exploration of service user narratives in Irish methadone maintenance treatment. International Journal of Drug Policy, 110, p.103901. DOI

- Kelly, P., Hegarty, J., Dyer, K.R. and O Donovan, A., 2022. Organizational attributes and client engagement in community opiate substitute prescribing services. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, pp.1-14. DOI

- Kelly, P., Hegarty, J., Dyer, K.R. and Donovan, A.O., 2022. An exploration of organizational characteristics and training adoption in Irish community drug treatment services. Journal of Addictions Nursing, pp.10-1097. DOI

 

 

 

DEVOTION discussions presents: Nahia, a Case of Obstetric Violence? What happens when a woman victim of obstetric violence goes to court to claim justice?

"We Feel it Too - A Childs Experience of Domestic Violence” seminar hosted by Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS) on Friday the 18th of November

To mark World Children’s Day practitioners from across Meath gathered in Navan to attend a seminar hosted by Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS). The seminar which was attended by the Minister for Justice Helen MnEntee focused on the experiences of children who have experienced domestic abuse and violence. Dr Eleanor Hollywood and Dr Sonam Banka Cullen were invited to speak at the seminar about their child centred research with children who have experienced domestic abuse and violence. Dr Hollywood and Dr Banka also spoke about the voice of the child in research and how participatory research techniques can be used to facilitate children’s voice in research.

Picture L-R: Dr Stephanie Holt (School of Social Work and Social Policy, TCD), Ms Helena Moran (MWRSS), Ms Sinéad Smith (MWRSS), Helen McEntee (TD, Minister for Justice), Ms Denise Charlton (COE Community Foundation for Ireland), Ms Katie Carry (MWRSS), Dr Eleanor Hollywood (School of Nursing and Midwifery, TCD), Dr Sonam Banka Cullen (School of Nursing & Midwifery, TCD)  and Ms Emer McDonagh (Play Therapist). November 2022.

 

Congratulations Prof. Mary McCarron on winning the Trinity Innovation Award (Societal Impact)

 

On behalf of the entire school community, we would like to congratulate Prof. Mary McCarron on receiving the Trinity Innovation Award (Societal Impact).

The Societal Impact Award recognises academics “whose research has had a significant impact for Trinity, society and industry“

Once more, congratulations Professor McCarron for this well-deserved recognition and thank you for all the contribution that your work has meant in the lives of so many people!

"Advanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing. A European Perspective"

Advanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing. A European Perspective

On behalf of the entire school community, we would like to congratulate Professor Agnes Higgins, who, together with her colleagues Nina Kilkku & Gisli Kort Kristofersson, have worked on the edition of the textbook “Advanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing. A European Perspective”, which is now available to the public.


Click here for more information.


Once again, congratulations Professor Higgins and colleagues for this wonderful achievement!

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

For more information on the School of Nursing & Midwifery PhD programme, please click here

For more information on the 1252 PhD programme, please click here

 

Living beyond a diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A mixed method exploration of patient-related experience and unmet healthcare needs

Ms. Carita Bramhill, a year two PhD candidate has recently been awarded a prestigious Irish Research Council Scholarship, through the Government of Ireland postgraduate research scheme. This award will support her study; Living beyond a diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A mixed method exploration of patient-related experience and unmet healthcare needs.

On behalf of the entire School community, congratulations to Carita and her supervisor Prof. Anne Marie Brady!

The School of Nursing & Midwifery Trinity College,together with 'Evidence Synthesis Ireland' & 'UCC', is pleased to present the following infographic about a review on:'Maternity care during COVID-19: What were the experiences of women and maternity care providers?'

We wanted to understand the experience of maternity care during COVID-19, from the perspectives of women and maternity care providers.

Click here to access the infographic!

Fantastic representation from TCD at the 22nd International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference in Harrogate, UK 3-6 Oct

Ten colleagues from across the Faculty of Health Sciences, supported by HRB-TMRN lead partner funding, attended the 4-day event in Harrogate recently. Lots of learning about Trials Methodology, super networking opportunities and plenty of fun too.

Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Wormlad

In 2021-22 the Faculty of Health Sciences Dean’s Research Initiatives Fund, with additional supports from the Dean of Research, awarded funding to seven resesarch projects and Dr Andrew Wormald, from TCAID, has been one of the winners for his great work on loneliness as experienced by people with intellectual disability.

Andrew, on behalf of the entire School Community, congratulations on your fantastic achievement and thank you for your work!

 

Dublin’s historic Liffey Swim

Congratulations to Melissa, who has won the historic Liffey Swim on Saturday, September 24th
Melissa was one of 450 people who entered the cold waters of the River Liffey for a 2.2km swim which has a history spanning 102 years.


In this article you will be able to see the great determination and personal challenge that led Melissa to victory.  Melissa indicated that some of the attributes associated with nursing and midwifery practice (e.g. strength, endurance, working through challenging conditions, attention to detail, good decision making and collegiality) are helpful transferrable skills for open water swimming.

We are very proud of you.

 

Launch of the Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland Research Study

Trinity and Belong To partner for first national study on LGBTQI+ mental health since marriage equality referendum

 

Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland is a research study that aims to examine the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people in the Republic of Ireland and investigate public attitudes towards LGBTQI+ people. The study is being conducted by a group of researchers led by Professor Agnes Higgins in the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin and was launched on Tuesday 13th September.

The study is funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) & Social Inclusion, Health Service Executive (HSE) and the What Works and Dormant Accounts Fund, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth through Belong To. In addition to Belong To, a wide range of organisations are also working with us on this study, including other LGBTQI+ organisations, statutory agencies, and government departments.

The first part of this two-part study is an anonymous survey which looks at mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people in Ireland. It is hoped that the findings will be used to make recommendations for how to improve services to best address the identified mental health and wellbeing needs of LGBTQI+ people in Ireland.

For more information on the study and to access the survey, please click here.

 

The MAMMI Study in the media and recent publications

A recent article in the Sunday Independent highlights the fact that women’s health postpartum in Ireland is neglected.

'Women’s health problems post-birth ‘ignored’: Incontinence, pelvic pain, sexual and mental health issues causing misery for new mothers, TCD research reveals.’

Our latest publications include:

'Maternal mental health in the first year postpartum in a large Irish population cohort: the MAMMI study'.

Published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Healh

'Trajectories of postpartum recovery: What is known and not known’.

Published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

'Factors associated with cesarean birth in nulliparous women: a multicentre prospective cohort study’.

Published in Birth

'Resilience in the Perinatal Period and Early Motherhood: A Principle-Based Concept Analysis’

Published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Publich Health

 

 

Emerald Publishing Awards Outstanding Paper 2022 To Dr. Debra O Neill first publication

Sally Wilson Publishing Director of Emerald Publications has just announced the replicant of the 2022 Literati Award for outstanding paper to Dr. Debra O’Neill, for her publication in Leadership in Health Services journal entitled Leadership and Community Healthcare Reform: A study Using the competing Values Framework (CVF). Debra said that the publication would not have been possible with the support and encouragement of her PhD supervisors Associate Professor Jan De Vries and Professor Catherine Comiskey. It is such a privilege to receive such a prestigious award from such a respected academic publisher.

Debra joined Professor Comiskey’s research team in May 2022 at the Population Health & Behaviour Research Group. Debra said “I have another 3 papers half written, my personal target is to get them submitted by the year end but you just get so busy, I recently attended a University of Notre Dame writing retreat and that certainly focuses the mind”

 

 

End of Life and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability - Contemporary Issues, Challenges, Experiences and Practice

 

In recent years, a growing body of work has developed that aims to ensure that people with Intellectual Disability are empowered to live their lives to the full even in the face of serious illness and to receive better care at the end of life. The Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) has provided essential data on key questions around end of life and caregiving.

Prof. Mary McCarron, Director of the Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability and Professor of Ageing and Intellectual Disability, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland launched the new book ‘End of Life and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability - Contemporary Issues, Challenges, Experiences and Practice’ on Tuesday 13th September 2022. This book is invaluable for researchers, practitioners and families across the disability and health sectors.  It highlights contemporary international research and its translation into practice covering topics including: suicide, do not resuscitate orders, children, people with profound and multiple disabilities, death doulas, accessible funerals and the COVID-19 pandemic.  Barriers and care challenges were identified with personal stories conveyed to ground the issues in lived experience. There is a list of resources, many designed specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disability.

"This is a thoughtful and compassionate book which examines every possible aspect of end of life and palliative care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I can’t recommend it too highly”

Baroness Sheila Hollins, Emeritus Professor of Learning Disability St. Georges, University of London, United Kingdom

"This expansive and long-overdue book explores end-of-life in all its complexity. It confronts both the taboo that surrounds death and dying, and extends our understanding of how broader contemporary issues in this space impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Importantly, people with profound intellectual and multiple disability and children receive specific attention. As a collection of current research and practice, this book challenges us to include and promote the individual decisions made by people”.   Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Director, Donald Beasley Institute Dunedin, New Zealand

Dr. Karen Ryan delivered the keynote on "The Process of Dying." Dr. Ryan is a Consultant in Palliative Medicine, St Francis Hospice and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. This informative compelling keynote conveyed how to recognise and understand the dying process as it affects people with Intellectual Disability. It describes the common signs of dying, considers barriers and facilitators to the recognition of these signs and reviews principles of best practice in end-of-life care provision and how it might shape how we as caregivers can respond. Dr Ryan emphasized the importance of assessing the persons capability, be patient and listen to them voicing their needs and wishes and that will help guide your response to support them. Communication is a hugely important element for both the person and their care giver. Dying is not a linear journey.

Following the keynote there was a panel discussion with the editors and experts including: Prof. Roger J. Stancliffe, Prof. Michele Y. Wiese, Prof. Philip McCallion, Prof. Mary McCarron & Dr. Karen Ryan.

Questions posed during the webinar included what resources are currently available and how to help a person with no next of kin to make a plan for end of life in terms of funeral arrangements etc so  their wishes are there to be carried out. In response, attendees were informed about a tool called Glancing Back, Planning Forward. Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual Disability developed an accessible planning tool for people with an intellectual disability to help them plan ahead so that their wishes can be respected at the end of their life. It is a tool for people with an intellectual disability, their families and their carers to use as they pause to think about the future. It supports ongoing conversations and building knowledge, attitudes and confidence for everyone involved so that wishes and desires are realised. This project was supported by The All-Ireland Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care. 

Accessible End of Life Planning Tool

Other resources include:

  • DisDAT tool: A resource for understanding distress in people with communication difficulties: Regnard, C., Mathews, D., Gibson, L., & Clarke, C. (2003). Difficulties in identifying distress and its causes in people with severe communication problems. International journal of palliative nursing, 9(4), 173-176.
  • Distress and Discomfort Assessment Tool (DisDAT)
  • Chapter 10 in the Book "Accessible Funerals" lists funeral-related resources. Talking End of Life )an online resource with lots of videos) has lots on funerals.

  • With over 476 registrations for the event, feedback was very positive: “very practical useful information and resources, excellent presentation” “Fantastic event”  “having the recording will be invaluable to our service and a great introduction for new staff” “Excellent informative presentation and discussion”.

    The book is out now - individual chapters are available for purchase for those interested in specific topics

     

     

    I'm not being serviced; I'm being cared for

    Dr. Gobnait Byrne is delighted to announce the publication of an article in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing.  The title of this article is “I'm not being serviced; I'm being cared for”: A mixed methods study of patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of community oncology nursing delivered by a Community Intervention Team. Click here to read the article.

    This article is a result of a research collaboration between Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI) & the Public Health Nursing Service in HSE, Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO7), Nurses in St James’s Hospital and St James’s Hospital.  It highlights patients’ positive perceptions of the community oncology nursing service provided by Community Intervention Teams (CIT), which are a nurse-led service providing acute  nursing care in the community.

    This article highlights the potential of CIT providing Community Systemic Anti Cancer Therapies (SACT) or the Type 4 SACT Services identified in the  National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Model of Care. Click here to see the full document.

    TCPHI promotes nurse-led research and collaborates with nurses from different health service providers on a variety of research projects.  Please visit this website for further details. 

     

    SEURO Horizon 2020

    Last night in Cannes France, SEURO Horizon 2020 project picked up an international award recognising its contribution to the ageing well field. The award under the patronage of the French government Ministry for Solidarity, Autonomy and Persons with Disability represents a significant endorsement of our work and the research coming from the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Click here to see the press release

    On behalf of the School, we congratulate Dr. John Dinsmore & his team, for this great achievement!

    1 x School of Nursing and Midwifery PhD Scholarship (Full-Time) has been awarded

    Congratulations to Sadie Lavelle Cafferkey who has been awarded this prestigious Scholarship. The School would like to take the opportunity to wish her and her supervisors Prof. Catherine Comiskey & Dr. Fintan Sheerin every success with the project.

    1 x Ussher Studentship has been awarded

    Congratulations to Julika Johanna Hudson who has been awarded this prestigious Scholarship. The School would like to take the opportunity to wish her and her supervisor Prof. Joan Lalor, every success with the project.

    An evaluation of the Barnardo’s Ballybeg Playground Service

    Dr. Eleanor Hollywood

    Assistant Prof In Children’s Nursing

    Dr. Hollywood, Dr Sonam Banka Cullen, Ms. Maryanne Murphy and Professor Catherine Comiskey have secured funding to conduct an evaluation of the Barnardo’s Ballybeg Playground service which serves the community of Ballybeg in Waterford. This evaluation will explore children’s experiences of their involvement in the service, what the service means to children and how it has impacted on their lives.

    Barnardo’s was established by an Irish man, Dr Thomas Barnardo who was born in Dublin in 1845. The first Barnardo’s home was set up in London in 1870 for homeless boys however, the tradition expanded and in 1962 Barnardo’s established roots in Ireland. Since then, Barnardo’s has grown and evolved and today it delivers services and works with families, communities, and partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are experiencing adverse childhood experiences. One such service provided by Barnardo’s is the Ballybeg Playground service which has served the community of Ballybeg in Waterford since it opened in 1999. This supervised playground service caters for a variety of children aged between 4 and 12 years who may be experiencing adversity and trauma, may be a member of 7 the ethnic minority community, may have special educational needs, neurodiversity/sensory or processing needs. All children have the right to play as set out in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC 1989). Furthermore, play is a very important activity for children since play helps children to make sense of the world around them, it provides children with a means of expressing their feelings and also helps children to make sense of the relationships in their lives

     

     

    Dr Sonam Prakashini Banka-Cullen and Professor Catherine Comiskey received first runner up award for best research poster at the Sigma Ireland Conference.

    Dr. Sonam Banka

    The research poster highlighted findings from the scoping review on nurse prescribing practices across the globe for Medication Assisted Treatment of the Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). The study was undertaken by Dr Banka-Cullen and Prof. Comiskey, alongside colleagues from the University of South Florida and The Florida Department of Health.

    The aim of this scoping review is to explore nurse prescribing practices for MOUD internationally.

    The preliminary findings from this scoping review suggest that Nurse Prescriber (NP) waiver uptake has a significant impact on the number of patients treated. Autonomy in practice and more providers per capita lead to increased NP waiver uptake. More MOUD provision per capita also lead to increased waiver uptake. However, there are also barriers such as stigma, patients with complex needs, lack of support services, lack of confidence, and lack of NP education and support.

    A special thank you to PhD candidate Sadie Lavelle Cafferkey for presenting this research project on behalf of the team.

     

    New Article in Phlebology

    Bernie Hannon, St James’s Hospital and colleagues from the Vascular Unit in St James’s Hospital, with Dr. Sharon O’Donnell (School of Nursing and Midwifery) and Geraldine Prizeman (TCPHI, School of Nursing and Midwifery) have published a paper which aimed to ascertain patients’ experience of the out-patient venous service being provided by the Unit. Overall, study findings indicate high satisfaction levels and support the management of ambulatory outpatient varicose vein endovenous ablation procedures as a feasible alternative to day surgery theatre settings.  These procedures should be the blueprint for future management of varicose vein surgery in Ireland. Please click here for futher details.

     

     

    Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, launched the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Framework for the Care and Support of Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) with Cancer in Ireland on 19th May 2022.

    Prof. Imelda Coyne

    Head of Discipline and Professor in Children’s Nursing

    Tel: +353 1 896 4071

    In 2019 the NCCP established a CAYA Clinical Leads group chaired by Professor Owen Smith and which included Professor Imelda Coyne, healthcare professionals, patient and advocacy groups, and survivors of childhood cancer. This group met over 2 years and young people, and families’ experience and advice were invaluable in shaping this Framework.  

    This Framework will see a state of the art AYA cancer care network delivered locally where possible, but centralised when necessary, by providing separate facilities and specialist care teams in the new Children’s Hospital and three of the eight adult designated cancer centres around the country.  The three new National AYA Cancer Units will be based at St James’s Hospital, University Hospital Galway and Cork University Hospital. Please visit this link for additional information.

     

     

    A qualitative evidence synthesis of women’s and maternity care providers’ views and experiences of maternity care during COVID-19

    Prof. Valerie Smith

    Professor in Midwifery

    Tel: +353 1 896 4031

    Synthesising the findings from 48 international studies, Prof Valerie Smith and colleagues report on women and maternity care providers’ experiences and views of maternity care during COVID-19. Eight themes representing the findings were identified. Five of these reflected women’s experiences: Altered maternity care (women), COVID-related restrictions, Infection prevention and risk, "the lived reality" – navigating support systems, and Interactions with maternity services. Three themes reflected maternity care providers’ experiences: Altered maternity care (providers), Professional and personal impact, and Broader structural impact. The full publication can be accessed here.

     

     

    Get Wise about your health.

    Dr. Eilish Burke

    Ussher Assistant Professor

    Tel: +353 1 896 1749

    Research shows that people with intellectual disability face greater health challenges as they age, compared to people without intellectual disability (IDS-TILDA, 2017). These health challenges often present co-morbidly, and include obesity, dementia, osteoporosis, and epilepsy among other health conditions. Serious health conditions such as these require medical intervention and self-management, yet it has also been shown by studies such as IDS-TILDA, that health materials and resources are often not accessible to people with an intellectual disability as they do not meet easy read and reasonable adjustment requirements for accessibility. This makes it harder for people with an intellectual disability to manage their health care needs.

    Get Wise is a recently launched health education course for people with an intellectual disability who would like to learn more about keeping healthy. The Get Wise team, led by Professor Eilish Burke, Trinity Centre for Ageing and Disability, co-created the course with people with intellectual disability to ensure it reflected their lived experience and is accessible to all. The Get Wise course consists of two modules, Get Wise about visiting the doctor and Get Wise about your bone health, and is delivered in an accessible easy-read manner. It is available in English and Dutch. Each participant will receive a certificate of achievement for completion of the course.

    The course is free to join at www.getwiseid.eu and we hope to empower leaners with skills and knowledge to manage their own health. For more information about the project, visit  www.getwiseid.eu or https://www.tcd.ie/tcaid/research/Project6.php

     

     

    Davina Project Report Launch

    On May 18th the School of Nursing and Midwifery and a team led by Prof Catherine Comiskey and Dr Sonam Banka-Cullen launched the report ‘In Plain Sight: A Rapid Review of the International Literature and a National Estimate of the Prevalence of Women Who Use Substances and Experience Domestic Violence in Ireland.’ The work was commissioned by the SAOL Project who support women who use substances in Dublin. They received funding from Rethink Ireland Equality Fund to run a three-year pilot programme, DAVINA (Domestic Abuse/Violence Is Never Acceptable). This is the first project of its kind, with the aim to address the dual issue of substance use and domestic violence.

    In Plain Sight: A Rapid Review of the International Literature and a National Estimate of the Prevalence of Women Who Use Substances and Experience Domestic Violence in Ireland.

    Insights into domestic violence and substance use: report

     

     

    The Irish Cancer Society Research Networking Award has offered Vanessa Boland, cancer researcher and PhD Candidate in our School, the opportunity to establish and strengthen collaborations and relationships with national and international cancer researchers

    Dr. Vanessa Boland

    This award enables a rich opportunity to attend the European Oncology Nursing Society and the wider European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Paris this coming September. Vanessa is motivated to build capacity in the cancer research community and this networking initiative supports the presentation of her PhD work on the needs of lymphoma survivors and for in-person networking with peers and experts in the field of cancer survivorship research across Europe.

    Congratulations Vanessa!

     

    A case study of Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS) children’s programme

    Dr. Eleanor Hollywood

    Associate Professor In Children’s Nursing

    Tel: +353 1 896 3101

    Dr. Eleanor Hollywood, Dr Sonam Banka Cullen and Professor Catherine Comiskey have secured funding to conduct a case study of the children’s programme offered to children at MWRSS when they enter into refuge with their mothers. This case study will explore how children’s voice and participation is facilitated within the children’s programme at MWRSS and enquire about the challenges associated with the children’s programme from the perspectives of women, children and organisational staff.

    Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercive, threatening or controlling behaviour used by one person against another within a close or intimidate relationship. Domestic abuse can often include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial abuse and it has significant consequences for large numbers of, mostly female victims, across the globe. In Ireland, research by the National Crime Council found that 1 in 7 women have experienced abuse behaviour of a physical, emotional, or sexual nature, at the hands of a partner at some-stage during their lives. Children can be direct or indirect victims of domestic abuse meaning that they can experience abuse themselves at the hands of the perpetrator or that they can be witnesses of the abuse. Living in a home where there is domestic abuse can have a profound negative impact on a child’s development. Although a parent might try to shield a child from abuse within the home, research has shown that children have a much higher awareness of abuse than their parents realise.

     

    School-aged children and the management of Type 1 Diabetes in the primary school environment: an investigation of how to support children, parents and schools

    Dr. Eleanor Hollywood, Dr Sonam Banka Cullen, Professor Catherine Comiskey and Ms Helen Fitzgerald have secured funding to investigate how children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be supported in the primary school environment, from the perspective of the child with T1D.

    Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common chronic medical condition that affects many children around the world. The successful management of T1D requires close monitoring of blood glucose levels, the administration of insulin and a fine balancing of insulin requirements with food intake and physical activity. Young children with T1D rely on their parents to manage their condition, until they are old enough to understand how to self-care. There are potential life-threatening complications associated with having T1D such as the development of diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycaemia, both potentially life-threatening conditions which must be avoided. The reliance of young children on their parents for the management of their T1D poses challenges for parents of school-aged children. This research seeks to identify how school-aged children with T1D can be supported in the primary school setting. The study will be conducted from the perspective of the child with T1D, ensuring that the voice of the child is heard.

     

     

    We are delighted to share two publications from the maternal mental health strand of the MAMMI (Maternal health And Maternal Morbidity in Ireland) Study

    Maternal mental health in the first year postpartum in a large Irish population cohort: the MAMMI study’ with Susan Hannon, Deirdre Gartland, Agnes Higgins, Stephanie J. Brown, Margaret Carroll, Cecily Begley & Déirdre Daly. Read more about this research here.

    Resilience in the Perinatal Period and Early Motherhood: A Principle-Based Concept Analysis’ with Susan Hannon, Déirdre Daly, & Agnes Higgins. Read more about this analysis here.

     

    Congratulations to Professor Imelda Coyne appointed as Editor-in-Chief International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (IJAHM) Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, Germany

    Professor Imelda Coyne

    Head of Discipline and Professor in Children’s Nursing

    Tel: +353 1 896 4071

    Imelda Coyne Professor in Children's Nursing & Co-Director of the Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRiCC), together with Maria Demma Cabral, Associate Professor in Adolescent Medicine & Division Chief of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, have just taken over as Co-Editors-in-Chief of International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (IJAMH).

    The International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health (IJAMH) provides an international and interdisciplinary forum for the dissemination of new information in the field of adolescence. IJAMH is a peer-reviewed journal that covers all aspects of adolescence. Manuscripts will be reviewed from disciplines all over the world.

    This change in leadership after 20 years is accompanied by broader changes in the journal's editorial team and a realignment of subject matter. For this reason, IJAMH will consider only Review Articles for the time being. Such articles, once accepted, will be published free of charge and immediately included in the next available issue.

     

    Scaling EUROpean citizen driven transferrable and transformative digital health (SEURO)

    Dr. John Dinsmore

    Ussher Assistant Professor in Digital Health

    Tel: +353 1 896 4155

    A seminar and EU panel Q&A workshop will take place on ‘Innovation in User-Generated Digital Health: EU research perspectives’ on 26th April at 2pm in the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin.

    Dr. John Dinsmore will be part of the Expert Panel and there are five speakers. Click here for more details.

    Áine Teahan is the project manager and can be contacted on seuro@tcd.ie with any queries.

    Places for this event are limited. If you would like to attend, please register here: http://www.eventbrite.ie/e/302625540137

     

    Congratulations to Prof Valerie Smith who has been successful in securing funding to support trial methodology activity in TCD.

    Health Research Board – Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB – TMRN)

    Dr. Valerie Smith

    Professor in Midwifery

    Tel: +353 1 896 4031

    The HRB-TMRN is a collaborative initiative involving five Irish higher education institutes NUIG, TCD, UCD, UL and UCC, as well as other national and international organisations and associated members. The mission of the HRB-TMRN is to strengthen the methodology and reporting of trials in health and social care in Ireland so that they become more relevant, accessible, and influential for all stakeholders, including policy makers and the public. The HRB-TMRN, in operation since 2014, has recently been awarded a further €3 million to support its activities over the next five years.

    Professor Valerie Smith, at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, is the Partner representative for TCD, with an allocated budget of €225,000 to support local trial methodological activity, including basic trial training events, summer studentships, and trial methodology capacity building.

    Further practical resources and support offered by the Network, overall, include:

    • The provision of training and education at venues nationally, increased institutional collaborations through the network, such as direct interface with the MRC-NIHR-Trials Methodology Partnership in the UK, and the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN)
    • The opportunity to shape the trial methodology research agenda nationally through the inclusion of institutional and local needs
    • Greater involvement in grant proposals (including feasibility and definitive intervention applications) with local opportunities to collaborate on embedding primary methodology research work packages across grants nationally
    • Access to an experienced qualitative methods research team (QUESTS) for embedding qualitative research in your trials
    • Access to significant expertise in the development of core outcome datasets and studies within a trial (SWATs), and
    • The provision of support and advice on the challenging aspects of trial methodology with expertise across several areas including trial design and analysis, reporting and dissemination of findings and health economic evaluation.

     

    Valerie, on behalf of the entire School Community and once again, congratulations on your fantastic achievement!