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Biography

Anita O'Donovan joined the academic staff as an Assistant Professor in the Discipline of Radiation Therapy in 2011. In terms of academic achievements, she has received a BSc. in Radiation Therapy (First Class Hons), M.A.(j.o) and Special Purpose Certificate in Education, from Trinity College Dublin, and is currently in the final year of her PhD. Prior to joining TCD, she worked as a Radiation Therapist in St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network Dublin (St Luke's Hospital) and Cork University Hospital in both clinical and research positions. The overarching theme of her research and PhD subject is Geriatric Oncology, specifically optimal care of the older radiotherapy patient, and preparing the radiation therapy workforce for predicted demographic changes and a rapidly increasing older cancer patient population. Anita has previously served as a member of Board and Executive Committee of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG), the first radiation therapist to be represented in this organisation. She was also a member of the SIOG Science and Education committee and editorial board member for the Journal of Geriatric Oncology, and member of faculty of the SIOG Advanced Course in Geriatric Oncology and Irish Geriatric Oncology group. Anita has a particularly keen interest in older patient advocacy and incorporating alternative teaching methods into the classroom. This commitment was recognised when she was awarded a Trinity College Provost Teaching Award in June 2017.

Research Projects

Project Title

Care of the Older Radiotherapy Patient

From

July 2012

present

Summary

Background and Purpose: Eleven per cent of Ireland's population is currently over the age of 65; this is projected to double to 1.4 million by 2040. Approximately 60% of all Irish cancer cases occur in the over 65 age group. According to Irish Cancer Society and National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) predictions, new cancer cases in Ireland could potentially double by 2040. Despite the body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of geriatric assessment, its adoption in oncology has not been widespread. Traditionally a multidisciplinary approach is required in Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in order to identify problems and develop a care plan appropriate to individual patients. However, it is well recognised that CGA is time consuming and expensive. How geriatric assessment can best be integrated into Oncology remains to be clarified. My research is focussed on integration of geriatric medicine principles in radiation therapy. Outcomes: To evaluate the impact of geriatric assessment on specified treatment oncological outcomes, such as the ability to impact treatment decisions, treatment tolerance and quality of life. Impact: Population ageing will have a profound effect on the healthcare system in Ireland in the coming years. This will be especially evident in Ireland, where there will be a predicted doubling in the proportion of the population over the age of 65. There is now an impetus in all aspects of elderly care, to put the necessary infrastructure in place to promote successful ageing. The provision of state-of-the-art oncology services is one such area.

Person Months

Representations

Details	Date
Accreditation Council of Europe (ACOE) Councillor	2022 to present
European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) Radiation Oncology Safety and Quality Committee (ROSQC)	June 2016 to present
Member of Board and Executive Committee, International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)	October 2014 to 2017
Member of Faculty SIOG Advanced Course in Geriatric Oncology	November 2016 to present
Member of faculty ESTRO Course Non-melanoma Skin Cancer	2017 to present
Chair of the Membership and National Representatives Committee, International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)	March 2014 to 2017
National Representative, International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)	January 2013
National Radiation Therapy reviewer on the Radiography Qualifications Review Board	February 2012 to 2015
Member of teaching faculty on the ESTRO Teaching course on Basic Treatment Planning.	March 2012 to October 2013

Languages

Language	Skill Reading	Skill Writing	Skill Speaking
English	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent
Irish	Medium	Basic	Basic
Italian	Medium	Medium	Medium

Memberships

Membership of Professional Institutions, Associations, Societies

Details	Date From	Date To
ESTRO member	2006	present
Registered member of CORU	2014	present
Cancer Trials Ireland		2015 to present
IIRRT member	2008	2022
Member of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)	July 2012	present

Publications and other Research Outputs

Skin Cancer Management in the Elderly and Frail in, editor(s)Agata Rembielak, Luca Tagliaferri , Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Essentials for Oncologists,, CRC Press, 2023, pp387 - 397, [A O'Donovan and G. Colloca], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED

Seghers P. A. L, Alibhai Shabbir M. H, Battisti NicolÃ² Matteo Luc, Kanesvaran Ravindra, Extermann Martin, O' Donovan Anita, Pilleron Sophi, Mislang Anna Rachell, Musolino Naji, Cheung Kwok-Leun, Staines Anthon, Girvalaki Chari, Soubeyran Pierr, Portielje Johanneke E. A, Rostoft Sir, Hamaker Marije E, TrÃ©pel Domini, Oâ Hanlon Shan, Geriatric assessment for older people with cancer: policy recommendations, Global Health Research and Policy, 8, (1), 2023, p37-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI URL

Ashley L, Surr C, Kelley R, Price M, Griffiths AW, Fowler NR, Giza DE, Neal RD, Martin C, Hopkinson JB, O'Donovan A, Dale W, Koczwara B, Spencer K, Wyld L., Cancer care for people with dementia: Literature overview and recommendations for practice and research., CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Russo C, Mislang AR, Ferraioli D, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Colloca G, Williams GR, O'Hanlon S, Cooper L, O'Donovan A, Audisio RA, Cheung KL, Sarrió RG, Stauder R, Jaklitsch M, Cairo C, Gil LA, Sattar S, Kantilal K, Loh KP, Lichtman SM, Brain E, Kanesvaran R, Battisti NML., SIOG COVID-19 Working Group recommendations on COVID-19 therapeutic approaches in older adults with cancer., Journal of geriatric oncology, 2023, p101564 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Radiotherapy and Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment in Older Adults with Cancer and Frailty in, editor(s)Fabio Gomes , Frailty in Older Adults with Cancer, Springer, Cham, Springer Nature, 2022, [Anita O'Donovan, Capucine Baldini and Nicolò Matteo Luca Battisti], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED

A. Skelly and A. O'Donovan, Recognising Frailty in Radiation Oncology Clinical Practice: Current Evidence and Future Directions, Seminars in Radiation Oncology, 32, (2), 2022, p115 - 124, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

Morris L, O'Donovan A, Hashmi A, Agar M., Older adults and the unique role of the radiation therapist: Future directions for improving geriatric oncology training and education., Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol, 23, 2022, p21-26 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Flavin, A., O'Toole, E., Murphy, L., Ryan, R., McClean, B., Faul, C., McGibney, C., Coyne, S., O'Boyle, G., Small, C. and Sims, C, A National Cyberattack Affecting Radiation Therapy: The Irish Experience, Advances in Radiation Oncology, 7, (5), 2022, Journal Article, PUBLISHED URL

Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Mislang AR, Hernández-Favela CG, Russo C, Colloca G, Williams GR, O'Hanlon S, Cooper L, O'Donovan A, Audisio RA, Cheung KL, Gironés-Sarrió R, Stauder R, Jaklitsch M, Cairo C, Gil LA, Alam M, Sattar S, Kantilal K, Loh KP, Lichtman SM, Brain E, Wildiers H, Kanesvaran R, Battisti NML., Updated International Society of Geriatric Oncology COVID-19 working group recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination among older adults with cancer., Journal of geriatric oncology, 13, (7), 2022, p1054-1057 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Morris L, Turner S, Thiruthaneeswaran N, O'Donovan A, Simcock R, Cree A, Phillips J, Alibhai S, Puts M, Szumacher E, Lane H, Berger A, Agar M., An International Expert Delphi Consensus to Develop Dedicated Geriatric Radiation Oncology Curriculum Learning Outcomes., International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 113, (5), 2022, p934-945 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

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Anita O'Donovan, Radiation Therapy in Older Adults with Cancer , Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) Masterclass Series, Dublin, Ireland, March 6th , 2019, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

A Blended Learning Approach to an Undergraduate Evidence-based Practice Module for Healthcare Students in, editor(s)Brown, S. , Learning, teaching and assessment in higher education: global perspectives, Macmillan International Higher Education, , 2014, [O'Donovan, A. and Leech, M.], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED

O'Donovan, A. and Harper, D., 'Brachytherapy: Best Practice Guidelines', 2011, -, Protocol or guideline, PUBLISHED

O'Donovan, A., Radiotherapy in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, Radiography Ireland , 14, (1), 2010, p20 - 23, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

O'Donovan A., O'Shea E., O'Loughlin M., Hogan M., Mullaney L., Dempsey S., Moriarty M., McKenzie K., , The Impact of an Educational Support Group for Prostate Cancer Patients, Radiography Ireland, 14, (1), 2010, p24 - 27, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

Awards and Honours

Award	Date
TCD Provost Teaching Award	2016-17
Saint Luke's Prize	2002

Research Interests

Description Of Research Interests

Geriatric Oncology;older cancer patient's experience and quality of life;survivorship care

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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Dr. Anita O'Donovan