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Professor Deirdre Connolly

Professor (Occupational Therapy)
TRINITY CENTRE, S J H
      
Profile Photo

Professor Deirdre Connolly

Professor (Occupational Therapy)
TRINITY CENTRE, S J H

 Deirdre.Connolly@tcd.ie

 3531896 3216


Dr. Connolly is Professor in Occupational Therapy. She has been a member of the Discipline in Trinity College for over 20 years. Prior to joining TCD she worked as an occupational therapist in London, Australia, Canada and Ireland mainly with individuals with chronic neurological and rheumatic diseases. She worked across many health care settings including acute care, rehabilitation and primary care settings. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Research from the University of Lancaster. Her current research focuses on the prevention and management of chronic diseases including cancer survivorship. She has led multidisciplinary research teams in developing and testing occupational therapy interventions in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Her research also includes examining social prescribing and how it can address social determinants of health and reduce health inequalities. She publishes frequently in top-ranking journals in her field, presents her research nationally and internationally, and has supervised many post-graduate students (MSC and PhD) to completion.
  ACTIVITY PREFERENCES   AGE-RELATED IMPAIRMENT   Arts and health   Cancer Survivorship   Chronic Illness self-management   Continuing Professional Development   Education and Work   Health attitudes and behaviour   Health outcomes   Higher Education   PARKINSON'S DISEASE   Primary care
Project Title
 Examining the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of a Work and Cancer self-management programme to support women with breast cancer to return to work
From
September 2023
To
August 2027
Summary
Between 30 and 40% of women with breast cancer do not return to work after completing treatment, and for those who do, up to 43% report difficulty managing cancer-related symptoms in the work place. We have designed a Work and Cancer self-management intervention to enable women with breast cancer to manage post-treatment health-related difficulties in work and to provide knowledge of work-related entitlements to support women with breast cancer to manage their work activities. A feasibility study demonstrated acceptability of the intervention with 100% retention. Improvements were noted in functional ability and symptom management. Two of ten participants returned to work post-intervention. The findings of the feasibility study support progression to a definitive intervention trial to test the effectiveness of, and costs associated with, the Work and Cancer programme. In order to test the effectiveness of the intervention, a cluster randomised trial design will be used. Two hundred and forty eight women with breast cancer, who have completed treatment and are considering returning to work within six months, will be recruited through national cancer support centres. Each cancer centre will be randomised to the online Work and Cancer intervention or no intervention. A process evaluation will be carried out to examine implementation processes and mechanisms of action of the intervention. An economic evaluation will compare cost effectiveness and healthcare resource use between the intervention and control participants. Employment related outcomes will include return-to-work rates and confidence to return to work. Secondary outcomes will include symptom management, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life. Qualitative data will examine participants' perspectives on the impact of intervention on their return-to work. Process evaluation data will be collected through fidelity logs and interviews with key stakeholders involved in intervention delivery. Economic data will include intervention delivery costs, Quality Adjusted Life-Years and health and social care resource utilisation. Costs relating to absenteeism from work over the course of the trial will also be estimated. If effective in supporting women with breast cancer to return to work, the Work and Cancer programme can be offered as routine cancer survivorship care and tested with other cancer types.
Funding Agency
Health Research Board (HRB)
Programme
Definitive Intervention and Feasibility Awards
Project Type
Definitive Intervention
Person Months
48
Project Title
 Identifying support needs of adolescents and young adult cancer survivors for successful return to education and/or work
From
1.11.2022
To
3.4.24
Summary
There is increasing national and international recognition that Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors have difficulty returning to education and work due to ongoing difficulties with their physical, mental, and social health following completion of cancer treatment. As a result, research is recommended to identify survivorship interventions and services needed for this population. The purpose of this study therefore is to examine health difficulties impacting on return to education and/or work for AYA cancer survivors and to identify services required to meet the unique support needs of AYA cancer survivors in Ireland.
Funding Agency
Irish Cancer Society
Person Months
18
Project Title
 Exploration of suitability and acceptability of social prescribing for men with Prostate Cancer
From
4.09.2022
To
1.10.2023
Summary
In Ireland, one in seven men will develop Prostate cancer (PCa) by the age of 75 years and given the improved diagnostic testing, this number is increasing annually. However, many men with PCa experience considerable physical (incontinence, fatigue, reduced physical activity) and psychological (anxiety, distress, and depression) difficulties that impact on quality of life (QOL). Social prescribing (SP) is a community-based service that links individuals with physical and psychological health difficulties with health-promoting activities and services in their community. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to determine the potential suitability and acceptability of SP as a mechanism for linking men with PCa with activities and services in their community to improve their physical and psychological health.
Funding Agency
Trinity St. James' Cancer Institute
Programme
Trinity St. James's Cancer Institute Cancer Research Stimulus Awards
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Personalised Exercise Rehabilitation in Cancer Survivorship: The PERCS Programme
From
November 2021
To
November 2023
Summary
Physical activity is a fundamental part of individuals' everyday lives, but many individuals with cancer have been experiencing drastically reduced access to crucial rehabilitation services due to the Covid pandemic. The ability to get back out into the world and among the community again is incredibly important to those who have been through cancer treatment. However there have been far less opportunities for individuals to do this due to Covid-19 restrictions, which have also hugely curtailed support services that help individuals get back to an adequate level of physical activity. This study will test a Personalised Exercise Rehabiliation in Cancer Survivorship (PERCs) Programme, for individuals with cancer.
Funding Agency
Irish Cancer Society
Programme
COVID-Cancer Rapid Response Award
Person Months
24
Project Title
 Examining the impact of Social Prescribing on health and Well-being of individuals with Chronic Diseases
From
31.1.2020
To
31.1.2021
Summary
Social prescribing (SP) is a community-based service that links individuals with chronic diseases to activities in their community such as exercise and arts-based activities, self-help and support programmes, volunteering activities, further education services and skills-development programmes. Social prescribing is usually provided by Link Workers who meet with individuals to establish their activity preferences and where required will accompany individuals to their chosen activity. This process can take up to four meetings over a six-week period. Social prescribing originally started in the UK with individuals with chronic mental health difficulties however, little is known if it is a suitable intervention for older adults with chronic diseases. A social prescribing service was established in a socially disadvantaged inner city area of Dublin. The service was established in 2017 and receives referrals from primary care teams in Dublin 8 for older adults with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a social prescribing service on activity participation levels, mental health and quality of life of older adults living in Rialto; and to explore the acceptability of social prescribing to older adults with chronic diseases. This is a mixed methods study. The quantitative phase is a quasi-experimental (before and after) design to measure health outcomes of individuals participating in the social prescribing service. The qualitative phase explores individuals' perspectives of social prescribing through semi-structured interviews. Ethical approval has been received from the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
Funding Agency
Slaintecare
Programme
Slaintecare Integration Fund
Person Months
12

Page 1 of 3
Details Date
Editorial Board Member:Annals of International Occupational Therapy 2017
Editorial Board Member: Occupational Therapy International 2009
Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. 1996
Occupational Therapy Primary Care Advisory Group 2009
Facilitate: All Ireland network of Enquiry and Problem-Based Learning. 2008
AISHE: All Ireland Society of Higher Education 2007
Kearney, Neil, Connolly, Deirdre, Bahramian, Katayoun, Sheill, Grainne, Coghlan-Lynch, Kelly, O'Sullivan, Jacintha, Coleman, Niamh, O'Hanlon Brown, Ciara, Gallagher, David, O'Gorman, Catherine, O'Brien, Catherine, Tierney, Antonia, Rankin, Kate, O'Neill, Linda, Guinan, Emer, A flexible individualised ExeRcise programme for cancer patients during ChEmotherapy (FIERCE): Protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial, Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2025, p107923 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Boland, Lauren and Donnelly, Niamh and Delaney, Sarah and Donohoe, Julie and Keaveny, Niamh and Connolly, Hayley and Connolly, Deirdre, Occupational therapy-led self-management anxiety and stress programme: a mixed methods evaluation in community palliative medicine, BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 2025, pspcare-2024-005314 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
O Grady, Megan, Barrett, Emer, Connolly, Deirdre, Understanding how intermediaries connect adults to community-based physical activity: A qualitative study, PLOS ONE, 20, (1), 2025, pe0318687 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Connolly D, O'Hara C, O'Brien C, Dempsey A., Feasibility and Acceptability of Social Prescribing for Cancer Survivors, Current Oncology, 32, (129), 2025, p1 - 13, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Kearney N, Connolly D, Bahramian K, Guinan E., Strategies to improve participation in exercise programmes during chemotherapy: A modified nominal group technique, Journal of Cancer Survivorship., 2025, p1 - 11, p11 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Algeo N, Bennett K, Brennan L, Connolly D., Feasibility and acceptability of a self-management intervention supporting return to work for women with breast cancer., British Journal of Occupational Therapy., 2025, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
O'Neill, Linda and Knapp, Peter and Doyle, Suzanne L. and Begic, Sanela and Smyth, Emily and Kearney, Neil and Grehan, Sophie and Parker, Adwoa and Browne, Peter and Segurado, Ricardo and Connolly, Deirdre and O'Sullivan, Jacintha and Reynolds, John V. and Guinan, Emer and Hussey, Juliette, Can a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Informed Participant Information Leaflet (PIL) Improve Trial Recruitment, Retention, and Quality of Decision Making? Results of a Randomised Controlled Double-Blind Study Within a Trial (SWAT), Health Expectations, 28, (3), 2025, Notes: [Cited by: 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Kearney, Neil and Connolly, Deirdre and Bahramian, Katayoun and Sheill, Grainne and Coghlan-Lynch, Kelly and O'Sullivan, Jacintha and Coleman, Niamh and O'Hanlon Brown, Ciara and Gallagher, David and O'Gorman, Catherine and O'Brien, Catherine and Tierney, Antonia and Rankin, Kate and O'Neill, Linda and Guinan, Emer, A Flexible Individualised ExeRcise programme for cancer patients during ChEmotherapy (FIERCE): Protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial, Contemporary Clinical Trials, 153, 2025, Notes: [Cited by: 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Forcino, Rachel C. and Morrissette, Kali J. and Stevens, Courtney J. and Lichtenstein, Jonathan D. and Rotenberg, Sivan and Schiffelbein, Jenna E. and Connolly, Deirdre and Lyons, Kathleen Doyle, Strategies to support cancer survivors at work: content analysis of cancer survivor, healthcare provider, and employer perspectives, Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 19, (4), 2025, p1155 â€" 1172 , Notes: [Cited by: 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Connolly H, Delimata N, Galway K, Kiely Lawler M, Mulholland J, O'Grady M, Connolly D., Exploration of Evaluation Practices in Social Prescribing Services in Ireland: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study, Healthcare, 12, (2), 2024, p219 - 229, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  Other  Other
  

Page 1 of 13
Connolly H, Delimata N, Galway K, Mulholland J, O'Grady M, Connolly D., Measuring Successes of Social Prescribing , Trinity College Dublin, March, 2024, p1 - 18, Notes: [Social prescribing services are expanding rapidly in Ireland. Due to the variety of services delivered in local communities for individuals with a variety of health and social needs, a range of evaluation methods are used across services. However, some uniformity across services is required. This report provides recommendations from key stakeholders involved in the delivery and funding of social prescribing services. These recommendations will guide development of a national evaluation framework for social prescribing in Ireland. ], Report, RELEASED
Connolly D, Irish Association for Cancer Research Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, 24-26 March, 2021, Irish Association for Cancer Research, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Connolly D., Optmising physical and psychological health during and after cancer treatment, Oesophageal Cancer Fund Patient Education day, Dublin, Ireland, 6.10.2018, 2018, Oesophageal Cancer Fund, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Connolly D., Managing physical and psychological health during and after cancer treatment, OVARIAN CANCER PATIENT DAY , Ireland, 26th May, 2018, OvaCare, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Connolly D, O'Toole L, Boland L, Cooney C, , Impact of Well-Dance on physical and mental health of older adults in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown borough, 2016, p1 - 15, Report, PRODUCED
Connolly D., Troy M., Mannion L., Reilly E., Ryder R., Review of the Rialto Community Health Project, Dublin, 2013, 40, Notes: [The Dolphin and Fatima Community Health Projects were established in 2003, as part of the Social Regeneration Plan (Whyte, 2005) with support from the HSE Health Promotion Department and Combat Poverty Agency 'Building Healthy Communities' programme. The health projects aim to 'tackle the high rates of ill-health within the Fatima Mansions and Dolphin House estates and improve the holistic wellbeing and spirit of the community'. This project align with core goals of the Healthy Ireland National Strategy to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.], Report, COMPLETED

  


Award Date
Provost Teaching Excellence Award 2009
As occupational therapy focuses on how chronic diseases interfere with people's abilities to perform everyday activities, Dr Connolly's research programme is focused on developing and testing the impact of primary care-based occupational therapy interventions for people with single chronic conditions and multimorbidity. To this end, she has developed OPTIMAL, a self-management, group-based intervention aimed at increasing activity participation for people with physical and mental health-related chronic conditions. OPTIMAL, has been tested in different healthcare contexts using different methodologies, including RCT, and has shown significant changes in activity participation and symptoms of illness burden including quality of life and depression. She is now evaluating OPTIMAL for cancer survivors using an RCT design. This research is carried in an inter-institutional, cross-disciplinary capacity with national and international collaborators. Dr Connolly has also designed, delivered and evaluated FAME (Fatigue and Activity Management), a six-week programme for people with chronic inflammatory/autoimmune diseases who experience significant fatigue. FAME has been delivered and evaluated with people with rheumatic diseases with positive outcomes. Dr. Connolly's research on self-management for chronic diseases and multimorbidity is internationally relevant and highly sustainable given the rising ageing demographic and the increasing incidence of chronic disease and multimorbidity globally. Developing evidence-based interventions for chronic diseases and multimorbidity is a priority for all health services. She has presented her research at occupational therapy-specific, multidisciplinary, national and international conferences, including invited key note addresses. She supervises PhD and MSc students.