Research at UCC ASSERT
ASSERT research programme is committed to creating, understanding and sharing knowledge.
ASSERT’s research programme is explicitly undertaken to advance and support the delivery of real-world solutions in healthcare, healthcare education and healthcare technological innovation at a national and global level.
ASSERT is focused on supporting, designing, developing, enhancing and implementing interdisciplinary research that fosters and enables a community of academics, healthcare professionals and industry engage in a collaborative, cohesive and synergistic manner to achieve these solutions.
Research Projects
FINDING THE BUCCAL ARTERY – AN ANATOMICAL STUDY
Maire Caitlin Casey, Eoin S O’Broin, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, CUH.
UCC LISTEN study
(Listening and Interpreting Speech with Technology Evaluation Nuances)
Pat Henn
John O’Donoghue
Simon D. Smith
Abdul Muiz Khalid
Mark Daniel Leahy
Dr Tom Hinchy
Patients and healthcare professionals understanding one another is fundamental to safe and effective care. The clinical consultation depends upon spoken communication, though we have few studies of the contribution of hearing impairment to medical error.
In a previous study we asked students (registered with the hearing disability services of British and Irish universities), about their experiences of healthcare (Henn, O’Tuathaigh et al. 2021). Over 20% reported mishearing medication, medical advice or diagnoses.
As people age they tend to find it more difficult to hear conversations including medical consultations. Age Related Hearing Loss (ARHL) is an incurable and progressive condition, beginning in both genders over 50 years old, affecting both ears becoming worse over time. It is one of the most common medical conditions amongst older people affecting almost all citizens over 80 years of age.
We interviewed patients aged 60years and above (over 50% reported some degree of hearing loss) attending a hospital outpatient department. Over 25% reported mishearing or misinterpreting medical advice, regarding medication use, diagnosis or treatment(Cudmore, Henn et al. 2017).
Older people are frequent users of healthcare, often coping with several chronic illnesses, requiring multiple medications and discussions with a number of providers.
In a study of communication between patients and health professionals working both in hospital and General Practice (Smith, Manan et al. 2020), over 90% of professionals agreed ARHL impairs healthcare and 10% reported that communication issues contributed to multiple medication errors. However less than 5% of hospital based and less than 15% of General Practice professionals had attended formal training for communicating with hearing impaired patients.
Within the UCC LISTEN study (Listening and Interpreting Speech with Technology Evaluation Nuances) we developed an online version of questionnaire which measures healthcare literacy, that is the ability of an individual, to understand spoken medical information. To help us understand the effect of hearing impairment, some people will hear the questions presented with simulated hearing impairment, their scores will be compared to those hearing the questions without distortion.
Our goal is to develop an online assessment taking patients a few minutes to complete before their healthcare consultation. The results will assist the healthcare worker and patient to communicate most effectively; for example, writing notes and diagrams, or making extra time for the patient to give informed consent to treatment.
Please click on the weblink for an article explaining our work and to listen an audio clip simulating the experience of a hearing impaired patient.
References
Cudmore, V., P. Henn, C. P. O’Tuathaigh and S. Smith (2017). “Age-related hearing loss and communication breakdown in the clinical setting.” JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Henn, P., C. O’Tuathaigh, D. Keegan and S. Smith (2021). “Hearing Impairment and the Amelioration of Avoidable Medical Error: A Cross-Sectional Survey.” Journal of Patient Safety 17(3).
Smith, S., N. S. I. A. Manan, S. Toner, A. Al Refaie, N. Müller, P. Henn and C. M. P. O’Tuathaigh (2020). “Age-related hearing loss and provider-patient communication across primary and secondary care settings: a cross-sectional study.” Age and ageing 49(5): 873-877.
Woulfe F, Fadahunsi KP, Smith S, Chirambo GB, Larsson E, Henn P, Mawkin M, O’ Donoghue J. The Identification and Evaluation of Methodologies to Assess the Quality of mHealth apps in High, Low & Middle-Income Countries: a Rapid Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 21/07/2021:28384 (forthcoming/in press)
TEMPORAL LABORATORY
The ancient principle of primum non nocere is highly relevant when considering surgery of the lateral skull base and of the Temporal Bone.
The surgeon is required to carry out microscopic dissection in close proximity to the Brain, Facial Nerve, Sigmoid Sinus, Cochlea and Semi-Circular Canals, one tiny slip can have catastrophic effects on the patient!
Regular cadaveric dissection in the laboratory is the only way the surgeon can acquire the requisite skills necessary to carry out this very delicate surgery.
The ASSERT Centre provides a unique facility with work stations consisting of operating microscopes, electrical drills and surgical instruments; enabling surgeons in training to hone their skills in an appropriate setting for the ultimate benefit of their patients.
It is the only centre in Ireland which allows regular weekly access to surgeons and is under the governance of the Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology at the South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital Cork
Publications 2022
Framework to assess the quality of mHealth apps: a mixed-method international case study protocol
Yong Yu Tan, Fionn Woulfe, Griphin Baxter Chirambo, Patrick Henn, Liezel Cilliers, Kayode Philip Fadahunsi, Simon D Taylor-Robinson, John O’Donoghue.
BMJ Open 2022;12:e062909. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062909
Modification and Validation of an mHealth App Quality Assessment Methodology for International Use: Cross-sectional and eDelphi Studies
Woulfe F, Fadahunsi KP, O’Grady M, Chirambo GB, Mawkin M, Majeed A, Smith S, Henn P, O’Donoghue J.
JMIR Form Res. 2022 Aug 19;6(8):e36912. doi: 10.2196/36912. PMID: 35984688; PMCID: PMC9497647.
Publications 2021
Identification and Evaluation of Methodologies to Assess the Quality of Mobile Health Apps in High-Low-, and Middle-Income Countries: Rapid Review
Woulfe F, Fadahunsi KP, Smith S, Chirambo GB, Larsson E, Henn P, Mawkin M, O’Donoghue J.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021;9(10):e28384 doi: 10.2196/28384PMID: 34636737
Are digital technologies fit for clinical purposes? A systematic review and qualitative synthesis of information quality frameworks for digital healthcare. In the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR).
Kayode Philip Fadahunsi, Siobhan O’Connor, James Tosin Akinlua, Petra A Wark, Joseph Gallagher, Christopher Carroll, Josip Car, Azeem Majeed, John O’Donoghue
Publications 2020
“Wireless Mobile Communication and Healthcare” In the 8th EAI International Conference, MobiHealth 2019, Dublin, Ireland, November 14-15, 2019, Proceedings
GMP O’Hare, MJ O’Grady, J O’Donoghue, P Henn
“Implementing Innovative Approaches to Healthcare in a Lower-Middle Income Country: Perspectives from Malawi” In the International Journal of General Medicine
Emma Larsson, Mala Mawkin, Simon D Taylor-Robinson, Peter Harrington, Hastings Gondwe, Chris Watson, Joseph Gallagher, Mark Ledwidge, Griphin Baxter Chirambo, John O’Donoghue
A contest without losers – The value of extracurricular simulation competition in undergraduate medical education:
Shawn Stefan Albers, Ryan Taylor Sless, Nathaniel Edward Hayward, Kantikiran Dasari, Patrick Henn
End-user perspectives of two mHealth decision support tools: Electronic Community Case Management in Northern Malawi.
Chirambo, G.B., Muula, A.S., Thompson, M., Hardy, V.E., Heavin, C., O’Connor, Y., Mastellos, N., Andersson, B. and O’Donoghue, J., 2020
Affiliate partner: ASSERT Centre, UCC
International Journal of Medical Informatics, p.104323.
Validation of phlebotomy performance metrics developed as part of a proficiency-based progression initiative to mitigate wrong blood in tube.
O’Herlihy N, Griffin S, Henn P, Gaffney r, Cahill MR, Gallagher AG.
Postgraduate Medical Journal Published Online First: 17 August 2020. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137254
Impact of hearing loss on clinical interactions between older adults and health professionals: a systematic review
Smith, S., Nordin, M.A.B., Hinchy, T., Henn, P., O’Tuathaigh, C.M.P. Eur Geriatr
Med(2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00358-3
Age-related hearing loss and provider-patient communication across primary and secondary care settings: a cross-sectional study
Simon Smith, Nur Syifa Ilyani Abd Manan, Shannon Toner, Amr Al Refaie, Nicole Müller, Patrick Henn, Colm M P O’Tuathaigh.
Age and Ageing, Published:07 April 2020
Publications 2019
Simulation test: can medical devices pass ?
Power D, O’Donovan K, Deasy C, Henn P.
BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning Published Online First: 09 October 2019.
doi: 10.1136/bmjstel-2019-000519
Service evaluation of diabetes management during pregnancy in a regional maternity hospital: potential scope for increased self-management and remote patient monitoring through mHealth solutions
Abdelrahim Alqudah, Paul McMullan, Anna Todd, Conor O’Doherty, Anne McVey, Mae McConnell, John O’Donoghue, Joe Gallagher, Chris J. Watson & Lana McClements
BMC Health Services Researchvolume 19, Article number: 662 (2019)
Simulation training: our passport to a successful future in medicine
Claire M. McCarthy, 1 Orfhlaith E. O’Sullivan,1 Barry A. O’Reilly1,2,3
First published as 10.1136/bmjstel-2019-000491 on 29 June 2019
Validation studies of virtual reality simulation performance metrics for mechanical thrombectomy in ischemic stroke Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery
Robert Crossley, Thomas Liebig, Markus Holtmannspoetter, Johan Lindkvist, Pat Henn, Lars Lonn, Anthony Gerald Gallagher
Published Online First: 17 January 2019. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014510
Publications 2018
Handover training for medical students: a controlled educational trial of a pilot curriculum in Germany.
Laura Thaeter, Hanna Schröder, Lina Henze, Jennifer Butte, Patrick Henn, Rolf Rossaint, Saša Sopka
BMJ Open 2018;8:e021202. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021202
Metric-Based Virtual Reality Simulation – A Paradigm Shift in Training for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke
Thomas Liebig, Markus Holtmannspötter, Robert Crossley, Johan Lindkvist, Patrick Henn, Lars Lönn and Anthony G. Gallagher
Stroke. 2018; STROKEAHA.118.021089, originally published June 4, 2018
Visual spatial ability for surgical trainees: implications for learning endoscopic, laparoscopic surgery and other image-guided procedures.
Henn, P., Gallagher, A.G., Nugent, E. et al.
Surg Endosc (2018)
Outlier experienced surgeon’s performances impact on benchmark for technical surgical skills training
Gallagher, A. G., Henn, P. J., Neary, P. C., Senagore, A. J., Marcello, P. W., Bunting, B. P., Seymour, N. E. and Satava, R. M. (2018)
ANZ Journal of Surgery. doi:10.1111/ans.14474
‘Inter-rater Reliability for Metrics Scored in a Binary Fashion—Performance Assessment for an Arthroscopic Bankart Repair’.
Anthony G. Gallagher, Richard K. N. Ryu, Robert A. Pedowitz, Patrick Henn, and Richard L. Angelo. (2018)
Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association.
Publications 2017
A computerised test of perceptual ability for learning endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery and other image guided procedures: Score norms for PicSOr,
Henn P, Gallagher AG, Nugent E, Cowie R, Seymour NE, Haluck RS, Hseino H, Traynor O, Neary PC
The American Journal of Surgery (2017), doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.01.025
Publications 2015
The Bankart Performance Metrics Combined With a Shoulder Model Simulator Create
Richard L. Angelo, M.D., Robert A. Pedowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Richard K. N. Ryu, M.D., and Anthony G. Gallagher, Ph.D., D.Sc. (2015)
The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 31, No 9 (September), 2015: pp 1639-1654
The Bankart Performance Metrics Combined With a Cadaveric Shoulder Create a Prec
Richard L. Angelo, M.D., Richard K. N. Ryu, M.D., Robert A. Pedowitz, M.D., Ph.D., and Anthony G. Gallagher, Ph.D., D.Sc. (2015)
The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 31, No 9 (September), 2015: pp 1655-1670
Metric Development for an Arthroscopic Bankart Procedure: Assessment of Face and Content Validity
Richard L. Angelo, M.D., Richard K. N. Ryu, M.D., Robert A. Pedowitz, M.D., Ph.D., and Anthony G. Gallagher, Ph.D., D.Sc. (2015)
The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 31, No 8 (August), 2015: pp 1430-1440
Objective Assessment of Knot-Tying Proficiency With the Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training Program Workstation and Knot Tester
Robert A. Pedowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Gregg T. Nicandri, M.D., Richard L. Angelo, M.D., Richard K. N. Ryu, M.D., and Anthony G. Gallagher, Ph.D., D.Sc. (2015)
The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, pp 1-8
Magellan and Copernicus: Arthroscopy Association of North America Seeking Excellence in Education
Richard L. Angelo, M.D. (2015)
The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 31, No 8 (August), 2015: pp 1428-1429
‘Designing Learning Outcomes for Handoff Teaching of Medical Students Using Group Concept Mapping: Findings From a Multicountry European Study’
Hynes, H., Stoyanov, S., Drachsler, H., Maher, B., Orrego, C., Secanell M., Stieger L., Druener, S., Schroeder, H., Sopka, S., Henn, P. (2015)
Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
Publications 2014
Simulation Fidelity: More Than Experience and Mere Repetition?
Anthony G. Gallagher, Patrick Henn.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics Volume 196: Medicine Meets Virtual Reality 21
Improving Clinical Performance Using Rehearsal or Warm-up: An Advanced Literature Review of Randomized and Observational Studies.
O’Leary JD, O’Sullivan O, Barach P, Shorten GD.
Acad Med. 2014 Jul 1.
Use of a group concept mapping approach to define learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicine.
Stoyanov S, Spoelstra H, Bennett D, Sweeney C, Van Huffel S, Shorten G, O’Flynn S, Cantillon-Murphy P, O’Tuathaigh C, Burgoyne L.
Perspect Med Educ. 2014 Jun;3(3):245-
A comparison of three techniques (local anesthetic deposited circumferential to vs. above vs. below the nerve) for ultrasound guided femoral nerve block.
Szűcs S, Morau D, Sultan SF, Iohom G, Shorten G.
BMC Anesthesiol. 2014 Jan 25;14(1):6. doi: 10.1186/1471-2253-14-6.
Convergence and translation: attitudes to inter-professional learning and teaching of creative problem-solving among medical and engineering students and staff.
Spoelstra H, Stoyanov S, Burgoyne L, Bennett D, Sweeney C, Drachsler H, Vanderperren K, Van Huffel S, McSweeney J, Shorten G, O’Flynn S, Cantillon-Murphy P, O’Tuathaigh C.
BMC Med Educ. 2014 Jan 22;14:14. doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-14-14.
Publications 2013
An evaluation of high fidelity simulation using a human patient simulator in a new diploma in military medical care
Power D, Henn P, Hick D, McAdoo J (2013)
JMVH, 21(4): 1-11
To what extent does the Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland predict performance in early undergraduate tests of communication and clinical skills? – An observational cohort study.
Maureen E Kelly, Daniel Regan, Fidelma Dunne, Patrick Henn, John Newell and Siun O’Flynn
BMC Education
Women in Hospital Medicine: Facts, Figures and Personal Experiences.
G Boylan, K Meghen, C Sweeney, C Linehan, S O’Flynn
Irish Medical Journal 106 (2)
An evaluation of high fidelity simulation training for paramedics in Ireland.
D Power, P Henn, P O’Driscoll, T Power, J McAdoo, H Hynes, S Cusack
International Paramedic Practice 3 (1), 11-18
To cognitively err is human European Journal of Internal Medicine.
Simon D. Smith, David Power, Patrick Henn, Helen Hynes, Colin Bradley.
Received 21 June 2013; received in revised form 2 July 2013; accepted 5 July 2013.
Published on line 05 August 2013
A study of innovative patient safety education
SD Smith, P Henn, R Gaffney, H Hynes, J McAdoo, C Bradley
The Clinical Teacher
A metric-based analysis of structure and content of telephone consultations of final-year medical students in a high-fidelity emergency medicine simulation
P Henn, D Power, S Smith, T Power, H Hynes, R Gaffney, J McAdoo
BMJ Open
