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Dr. Frances O'Brien

Associate Professor (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
DOLIER STREET - SCHOOL OF NURSING
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Frances O'Brien

Associate Professor (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
DOLIER STREET - SCHOOL OF NURSING

 obrienfr@tcd.ie

 3531896 3107


Dr Frances O'Brien is an Associate Professor in General Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. Frances qualified as a General Nurse from the Meath Hospital in 1988 and registered as a Nurse Tutor in 1997. She obtained a Master's degree in Adult and Community Education from NUI, Maynooth in 2002 and in 2014 she obtained her PhD from Trinity College Dublin. Frances' clinical, education and research interests are in the area of cardiovascular nursing and nurse education. She is an experienced lecturer who teaches and supervises in these areas across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including PhD. Her teaching is research-led and clinically credible as she maintains close links with the clinical area. Frances has a particular interest in cardiac care (in both the general and intellectual disability populations) and in implementing and evaluating educational interventions, using randomised controlled trials. She has worked on research studies that have attracted approximately €400,000 in research funding. Her PhD was part of the ACS Response-Time Intervention Trial. In this RCT, an individualised educational intervention yielded improved knowledge about ACS, better attitudes towards symptom recognition and help-seeking behaviour, more accurate beliefs about what constitutes appropriate responses to symptoms and a decrease in pre-hospital delay time in patients who experienced ACS symptoms. The educational intervention was delivered using motivational interviewing as a behavioural change principle. Frances is engaged in collaborative research with Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Cardiology in three Health Service Providers and has been successful in translating this research in terms of improving patient outcomes and patient care. Frances' professional reputation as a researcher in cardiovascular nursing is recognised in many arenas, from external examining on critical care post graduate programmes to scholarly researchers attending Trinity to pursue a PhD under her supervision. She has also acted as a PhD examiner internationally. She leads the Cardiovascular strand on the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) As a previous Director of Global Relations, Frances has created and fostered key international partnerships with world leading universities in Europe, the USA, Hong Kong and Australia, enabling research collaborations and providing inbound and outbound student and staff mobility opportunities.
  Cardiac physiology   Cardiac rehabilitation   CARDIOLOGY   Cardiology Nursing   cardiology, nurse education   Critical Care Nursing   Health attitudes and behaviour   Health interventions and innovations   Health Promotion   Health Psychology   PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Project Title
 Clinical validation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for treatment and care
From
Spring 2022
To
Spring 2026
Summary
European Commission (2021) Purpose: VALIDATION OF ARTIFICIAL MODELS FOR PREDICTING DECOMPENSATIONS AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN HEART FAILURE Topic HORIZON-HLTH-2021-DISEASE-04-04- Clinical validation of AI solutions for treatment and care. VALHALLA's (acronym for the group of contributors) main objective is to refine a proof-of-concept (AI) model previously devised in another patient cohort for prediction of decompensation in Heart Failure (HF) patients in telemonitoring scenarios. The study aims to optimise data capture methods (including evaluation of novel wearable devices for HF telemonitoring) which will be evaluated at different sites and countries. The study will use large-scale clinical validation of the model for HF management, comparing the standard of telecare with the AI-enabled predictive approach in terms of relevant clinical outcomes, to provide clinical evidence for its widespread adoption; to evaluate in terms of healthcare integration, acceptance and cost-effectiveness the feasibility of its incorporation in different settings across different European countries and Colombia; and to prepare for qualification according to regulatory requirements such as the new EU Medical Device Regulation. The outcomes The primary outcome will be the percentage of days lost due to unplanned cardiovascular hospital admissions or death from any cause, comparing remote patient management plus usual care to usual care alone during the individual patient follow-up time. The main secondary outcomes will be all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality during the individual patient's follow-up time plus 28 days after the last study visit, to a maximum of 197 days; percentage of days lost due to unplanned cardiovascular hospital admissions, and percentage of days lost due to unplanned heart failure hospital admissions; change in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) global score. The PROMs and PREMs, and QoL questionaries will also be measure.
Funding Agency
Horizon Health - European Commission
Programme
HORIZON-HLTH-2021-DISEASE-04-04
Project Type
Clinical Trial
Person Months
48
Project Title
 A study to determine how self-monitoring weight and blood pressure impacts patients" self-care management, medication treatment and hospitalisation in heart failure: a pilot randomised controlled trial.
From
May 2024
To
December 2024
Summary
The primary objective of the study is to test the effectiveness of a study-specific blood pressure (B/P) monitor, and a study-specific weighing scales, together with the fluid heart tracker app (triple pack) in patients with heart failure. The secondary objective is to qualitatively assess participants and healthcare providers" perceived usefulness and clinical acceptability of the triple pack.
Funding Agency
Novartis pharmaceuticals
Programme
Clinical Trial
Project Type
Research
Person Months
6
Project Title
 COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Disease: a quantitative study
From
January 2021
To
May 2022
Summary
The current global COVID-19 pandemic has radically transformed the provision of emergency healthcare in Ireland and represents the greatest medical challenge in decades. With respect to cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19 infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease especially hypertension and coronary heart disease. The fact that patients with cardiovascular disease frequently have underlying medical co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity, places them at a substantially increased risk for serious complications of COVID-19. This quantitative study will use explore baseline and follow-up data on patients admitted to the research site with COVID-19 between March 2020 and 2021 to determine if there are differences in clinical presentation of COVID-19 and outcomes of COVID-19 over time, between patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and risk factors and those with no such history.
Project Type
Quantitative
Person Months
20
Project Title
 Registered General Nurses' self-assessed needs in respect of supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting: a needs analysis.
From
January 2019
To
December 2019
Summary
Background: The term holistic care in nursing encompasses complete and comprehensive care requirements of the individual. This includes physical and mental health requirements. To achieve the delivery of mental health care in the acute care setting, nurses need to be adequately skilled to carry out mental health assessments and subsequently deliver appropriate interventions or identify the need for specialist referrals, as appropriate. A study conducted among oncology nurses in Ireland (Nash 2017) demonstrated that a range of mental health problems are encountered in practice. While nurses were equipped to handle some aspects of mental health care requirements, they generally felt that they were in need of additional information particularly in relation to complex conditions that extended beyond anxiety and depression. This question has not been raised among general nurses in the acute setting and therefore a decision was made to assess Registered General Nurses' needs in relation to supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting. In the United Kingdom, the National Service Framework for Mental Health (Department of Health 2000) recommended standards for planning and delivering mental health services in the UK. This is seen as an important issue for consideration in the Irish population also. Research question: What are the needs of Registered General Nurses in relation to supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute setting? Study aim: To assess Registered General Nurses' needs in relation to supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting. Objectives: . To determine whether Registered General Nurses' feel adequately equipped to support individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting. . If deficits are identified, this study seeks to ascertain the nurses' specific education and training needs that would help in supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting. . Based on the information collected, a needs analysis will be compiled and from this, a business and education plan will be proposed within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Funding Agency
Nursing Midwifery Planning and Development Unit
Programme
Research Grants €15,093
Project Type
Survey
Person Months
12
Project Title
 The role of iron deficiency in patients with impaired ventricular function
From
December 2018
To
2020
Summary
This study is being supported by two academics from the SNM, TCD since December 6th 2018. The project includes the heart efficiency team in Tallaght University Hospital and the study was funded in 2019 under the Heart Failure Service Integrated Care Project (Tallaght University Hospital).
Programme
Heart Failure Service Integrated Care Project
Project Type
Clinical - TCPHI

Page 1 of 4
Details Date
Editorial Board Member for the International Journal of Older People Nursing 2020
External Examiner for MSc in Critical Care (Cardiff University) 2019
Joint Academic Erasmus lead for General Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery TCD and Lund University Sweden and University of Turku, Finland. March 2019
Reviewer for the International Journal of Older People Nursing 2019
Reviewer for the Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 2020
External Examiner for Bachelor in Nursing International St. Angela's, NUIG. 2019
External Examiner BSc (General Nursing) Athlone Institute of Technology 2016
Invited Lecturer for delivery of cardiovascular lectures to Registered Mental Health Nurses. 2015 -
Academic Lead for the International Winter and Summer Schools in the School of Nursing & Midwifery 2016
Academic lead for the development of a 'Science Without Borders' Nursing and Midwifery Programme and co-ordinator of same for incoming students. 2014
Academic lead for the development of a Study Abroad programme for visiting international students to the School of Nursing and Midwifery. 2014
Occasional Reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Nursing 2015
Member of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) affiliate centre of the Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI) 2015
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
French Basic Basic Basic
Irish Medium Basic Basic
Details Date From Date To
National Institute for Preventive Cardiology Alliance Member 2018 ongoing
Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP), changed to Association of Cardiac Nurses and Allied Health Professionals in 2018 2016 ongoing
Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association 2007 ongoing
All Ireland Society of Higher Education (AISHE) 2013 ongoing
Member of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) affiliate centre of the Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI) 2015 ongoing
An Board Altranais now Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland 1988 ongoing
Lydon C, O' Brien F, Mooney M., 'Newly qualified general nurses" experiences of pre-registration internship: A Republic of Ireland cross-sectional study', Book of abstracts https://theconf2025.exordo.com/programme, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2025 (THEconf2025) 'Healthcare in times of crisis: adaptive responses and global innovations', Trinity College Dublin, March 4-6, 2025, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Caples N, O' Brien F and Mooney M., Simple app promotes proactive help-seeking behaviour compared to traditional paper logbook for weight monitoring in heart failure: an Irish multicentre quasi-experimental study., European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. 32. 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf236.054., ESC Preventive Cardiology Conference 2025, Milan, April 3-5, 2025, edited by M. Mooney , 32, European Society of Cardiology, 2025, pp1 , Notes: [32. 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf236.054.], Conference Paper, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Caples N, O"Brien F, Mooney M., Enhancing heart failure self-care: a comparison of the Fluid Heart Tracker app and the traditional logbook in weight monitoring. A quasi-experimental, multi-centre Irish study., Book of abstracts, European Society of cardiology Heart Failure Congress, Belgrade, Serbia, May 17th -20th 2025, edited by ESC , European Society of Cardiology https://esc365.escardio.org/H, 2025, pp1 , Conference Paper, PRESENTED
Caples N., O' Brien F., Mooney M., Effectiveness of Apps with Embedded Alerts on Daily Weight Monitoring, Help-Seeking Behaviour, and Hospitalisation in Heart Failure: A Narrative Systematic Review., British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 2025, p11 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Hilgenkamp, T.I.M., Oppewal, A., Bohmer, M.N., Paul, A., Ryan, C., Burke, E., McCarron, M., McCallion, P., Maes-Festen, D.A.M. & O'Brien, F., Central Blood Pressure and Augmentation Index in Older Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Caples N, O' Brien F, Mooney M., A study to determine if the fluid heart tracker app supports patient decision-making at the onset of worsening heart failure, Book of Abstracts, ACNAP conference 2024, Wroclaw, Poland, June 14-15 2024, edited by Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals , 2024, pp1 , Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
O'Brien, F., McCallion, P., Ryan, C., Paul, A., Burke, É., Echiverri, S., & McCarron, M., Does Arterial Stiffness Predict Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults With an Intellectual Disability?., Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 39, (6), 2024, pE179 - E189, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
C. Lydon, F O'Brien, M. Mooney, Newly qualified general nurses" experiences of pre-registration internship: A Republic of Ireland cross sectional study. Heliyon, Heliyon, 10, (20), 2024, p10 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Burke, E., Pavithra, P., Fitzpatrick, D., O'Brien, F., McCallion, P., & McCarron, M., Longitudinal trajectories of the physical health of adults with intellectual disabilities, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, IASSIDD 17th World Congress 2024, Chicago, 5 - 8 August, 2024, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED  DOI
Lydon, C, Mooney M. O' Brien F.,, Newly Qualified General Nurses" Experiences of Internship: A Republic of Ireland Cross-Sectional Study,, Book of Abstracts UCD, UCD SNMHS (2023) Inaugural International Research Conference: Scanning Horizons, Driving Change, Building a Healthier World., University College Dublin, August 10th and 11th, University College Dublin, 2023, pp7 - 100, Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
  

Page 1 of 12
Frances O'Brien, Internationalisation and Student Exchange Activities within the School of Nursing and Midwifery TCD, Open seminar for leaders from all nursing programmes in Norway regarding internationalisation, Oslo Metropolitan University, 17th April 2023, 2023, Oslo Metropolitan University, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Daly L., O'Brien F., Connolly D., Harris E., Anthony A.M. and Grogan F., The Impact of COVID-19 on Nurses" Experiences of Communicating with and Supporting Patients and Family/Informal Carers Communication: A Qualitative Exploration, Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity Coll, April, 2023, p1 - 86, Report, PUBLISHED
Byrne G., Nash M., Mooney M.O Brien F. & Prizeman G., General Nurses self-assessed educational needs regarding caring for patients with mental health problems in the acute care setting. A report for the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit, Ireland., January, 2020, p1 - 93, Report, PUBLISHED
Joby Joseph & Frances O'Brien , Critical care nurses' current practices and perceptions of clinical alarms in critical care units: an Irish cross sectional study, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference (THEconf2019), Trinity College Dublin , 6th March , 2019, Published Abstract, PUBLISHED
Mary Mooney, Frances O' Brien, Gabrielle McKee, Sharon O' Donnell, The ACS Response Time Educational Intervention, World of Irish Nursing, 24, (10), 2017, p55 - 57, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Mary Mooney, Frances O' Brien, Gabrielle McKee, Sharon O' Donnell, The ACS Response Time Intervention Trial, Hospital Doctor of Ireland, 22, 2016, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Mary Mooney, Frances O' Brien, Gabrielle McKee, Sharon O' Donnell, Mission Critical: An Irish RCT to target reduction in patient pre-hospital delay time in ACS should pave way for change, Professional Diabetes and Cardiology Review, 1, (3), 2014, p12 - 15, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
O'Brien Frances, Report 11th CCNAP Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing April 2011, Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association News, Winter 2011-2012, 2011, p4 - 4, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Mooney M., O'Brien F., McKee G., O' Donnell S. & Moser D, Unchanging times: Acute coronary syndrome pre-hospital delay times in an Irish population., 4th Annual Multi - Disciplinary Research, Clinical Audit & Quality Improvement Seminar 2011, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, May 19th 2011, 2011, Poster, PUBLISHED
O'Brien, F., Information on the 11th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing, Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association, Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association Autumn Newsletter, August, 2011, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 2
Award Date
Government of Ireland International Academic Mobility Programme 2019
Research Incentive Grant from TCD 2007
Dorthy and David Mitchell Scholarship - Adelaide Hospital Society 2006
Masters in Arts (jure officii), Trinity College Dublin 2006
My primary research interest relates to cardiovascular health: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Patient education. I am currently investigating cardiovascular health in older people with an intellectual disability, which builds on the DoH and HRB-funded study IDS-TILDA, the intellectual disability supplement to Trinity's longitudinal study on ageing in Ireland. My research interest in education relates to: Registered General Nurses' needs in respect of supporting individuals with mental health problems in the acute care setting and the needs of mature students in nurse education. Areas of methodological expertise include; Randomised Controlled Trials, Survey research design, Mixed methods.