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Dr. Sharon O'Donnell

Associate Professor (School of Nursing & Midwifery)
DOLIER STREET - SCHOOL OF NURSING
      
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Dr. Sharon O'Donnell

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

 sodonne@tcd.ie

 3531896 3896


Dr Sharon O'Donnell is an Associate Professor in Critical Care Nursing, in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. She has strong clinical, teaching and research expertise in Critical Care Nursing, with a particular emphasis on Acute Coronary Syndrome. She is currently the Educational Facilitator for the MSc in Specialist Nursing (Cardiovascular) programme and facilitates cardiovascular lectures for Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care and Peri-operative Specialist programme modules. Sharon has been awarded two Health Research Board Research Fellowships for her ground-breaking doctoral and post-doctoral work in cardiovascular research. Much of Sharon's research has focused on improving the pathway of care for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome securing her approximately 1.25 million euro in grant funding. One of her studies, a multi-site RCT tested the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention on the length of pre-hospital delay in patients at risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Relative to other comparative interventions, it is the only international study that was successful in reducing ACS pre-hospital delay times. Sharon has succeeded in translating Critical Care research findings to practice, by developing an innovative new Clinical Prediction Rule for use in Emergency Departments(ED). This technological innovation, the 'Acute Coronary Syndrome Application' (AcSAP) improves ECG acquisition times for ACS patients in ED and in so-doing, improves the pathway of care for these critically ill patients. The Application has the potential to improve ECG times in GP practices and during EMT transport to hospital and is currently undergoing further validation. Sharon is currently leading TCD researchers in the European Horizon Europe project 'CARAMEL'(CArdiovascular Risk Assessment in MEnopausaL women). The research Team has joined a global network of researchers to revolutionize the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women aged 40-60 by delivering an innovative, AI-supported model for personalized risk assessment and preventive healthcare. TCD will lead a mixed-method study which will examine women"s experience of menopause and their cardio-protective behaviours. The project stands out by actively involving women in the co-creation of the CARAMEL digital tools, ensuring their experiences and preferences are at the core of its solutions. Moreover, CARAMEL addresses the specific needs of women with intellectual disabilities, providing an inclusive approach to cardiovascular prevention. Sharon was elected for two terms to the Scientific Committee of the European Society of Cardiology Association of Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Health Professions (ACNAP). She has also acted as Chair or Co-chair on the Cardiovascular Research Committee in the School of Nursing and Midwifery where she has contributed significantly to building research capacity within the research team. Due to her doctoral work examining gender issues in myocardial infarctions, she was co-opted onto the Women's Council of the Irish heart Foundation. She was also engaged as a consultant for the 'Emergency Department Assessment of Women with Acute Coronary Syndrome', a report commissioned by The Women's Health Council and The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine. Sharon has held the post of External Examiner for Post Graduate Critical Care programmes, National University of Ireland, Galway. Sharon has held many leadership roles within the school in her capacity of Director of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning and Director of Post Graduate Teaching and Learning. She has chaired the International Conference Committee within the School and has been a member of the Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College
  Acute care nursing   ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION   Behavior and Health   Cardiovascular disease, pharmacology   Cardiovascular Diseases   Cardiovascular System   Changing gender role attitudes in Ireland   CLINICAL APPLICATIONS   Critical Care   EMERGENCY   Emergency Health Services   GENDER   GENDER DIFFERENCES   Gender dimensions in health and illness   Gender issues in social development   Gender issues, gender studies   Health attitudes and behaviour   Health Disparities   Health outcomes   Health status and inequalities   Health/Medical Science--Computer Technology   Heart   Heart Failure   Heart Failure and transplantation   INPATIENTS   Medical disclosure and theories of the female body   Nursing   Patient Care and Education   Patterns of health   Preventive Medicine   Symptom Management   Technology Assessment/Transfer/Outreach (Hlth   Telemedicine   Women's Health
Project Title
 CARAMEL-CArdiovascular Risk Assessment via multimodal data analysis enabling personalised prevention strategies targeting MEnopausaL women
From
Dec 1st 2024
To
Nov 30th 2029
Summary
The School of Nursing & Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin have joined a global network of researchers to revolutionize the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women aged 40-60 by delivering an innovative, AI-supported model for personalized risk assessment and preventive healthcare. The European Horizon Europe project, CARAMEL (CArdiovascular Risk Assessment in MEnopausaL women) has 25 global partners including those in Europe and South America Researchers at the School will lead a core aspect of CARAMEL; examining women"s experience of menopause and their cardio-protective behaviours, which will include an anonymous questionnaire to 7000 women throughout Europe and South America. The team will also conduct over 140 qualitative interviews with women from these countries and facilitate co-creation workshops where women and clinical experts will co-create the design of the CARAMEL Digital Application. The project stands out for this reason, by actively involving women in the creation of the CARAMEL digital tools, ensuring their experiences and preferences are at the core of its solutions. At the core of CARAMEL"s approach is the integration of multiple data sources " clinical records, medical imaging, wearable devices, and lifestyle information " to develop AI-based models capable of assessing risk levels and tailoring prevention plans. By leveraging emerging technologies, CARAMEL will enable women to take proactive steps toward their heart health through self-assessment tools and a digital ecosystem designed for empowerment and self-management. In addition, the project will incorporate advanced diagnostic tools and new biomarkers, including non-invasive skin nanosensors and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based lipoprotein and inflammation markers, to enable earlier and more accurate risk assessment. The platform will undergo validation in clinical studies at multiple sites across Europe and Latin America, and it aims to provide new, evidence-based guidelines for healthcare providers and policymakers. The project will also develop clinical guidelines to help healthcare providers integrate these new personalized risk assessment models into clinical practice, thus supporting more effective CVD prevention strategies tailored to women. CARAMEL will run for 5 years and has received funding of almost 12 million euros from the European Union"s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 101156210. More information: Stay connected with CARAMEL"s progress through our official website and social media channels. Join us as we work to transform cardiovascular prevention for women and contribute to healthier, empowered communities worldwide.
Funding Agency
Horizon EU Commission
Programme
European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme
Project Type
HORIZON-HLTH-2024-STAYHLTH-01-05-two-stage -Personalised prevention of non-communicable diseases
Person Months
60
Project Title
 Preventing CARdiovascular Risks in Women & MENopause Linked Hypertension
From
2021
To
2025
Summary
This study aims to develop a device-based digital health therapeutics helping women to navigate through menopause and providing personalised preventative actions to improve women's health.
Funding Agency
Horizon 2020
Programme
SC1-DTH-02-2020:
Project Type
Multi-site RCT
Person Months
118
Project Title
 CardiCare
From
2021
To
2024
Summary
CardiCare is a digital health solution that provides the heart attack patient (+/- carers) with an instant network of local community support from the moment he/she is deemed ready for hospital discharge.The 'back-end' of the solution has been co-created by the EIT partners involved in this project. Patient representative (+/- carers) and healthcare professionals will design the front-end. CardiCare is delivered via a Smart Phone device and individualised to patient preference, risk & profile, to include personalised journey mapping, a behavioural change programme and symptom management. It is considered a complement to traditional CR programs for improvement of secondary prevention/clinical outcomes in patients following a heart attack. By enhancing patient adherence to lifestyle advice and medication, it is hoped that CardiCare will result in better risk factor control and prognosis as well as improved self-rated health.
Funding Agency
EIT Health
Programme
BP 2020 Innovation Projects
Project Type
Digital Health RCT
Person Months
36
Project Title
 WeCare
From
2020
To
Summary
The main goal of WeCare is to define and deploy a large scale citizen-centred model and an associated digital solution dealing with health and social integrated-care for supporting elderly people in their home.
Funding Agency
Horizon 2020
Project Type
Digital health RCT
Project Title
 MetaCare
From
2020
To
2023
Summary
MetaCare will develop, apply, and evaluate tailored implementation study to scale up and transfer the CONNECARE integrated people-centred care solution to prevent risk factors determining the MetS and empower citizens. Identifying critical and success factors for the adoption, our assessment contributes to the unmet need to compare patient outcomes and to expand the evidence necessary to show the safety, effectiveness, sustainability, equitability, security, and data privacy of a digital health solution.
Funding Agency
Horizon 2020
Programme
Work Programme 2018-2020 Vs 4.2 Rev to 4.1 for ISC 15-03 Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Project Type
Digital health RCT

Page 1 of 5
Details Date
Reviewer: Journal of Advanced Nursing 2005-on-going
Reviewer: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 2004-Ongoing
Member of the CCNAP Scientific Committee 2014
Reviewer: Cochrane Heart 2014
Reveewer: The Emergency Department Assessment of Women with Acute Coronary Syndrome 2009
Member of the Irish Association of Critical Care Nurses 2019
Member of the Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association 2019
External Reviewer for the National Office of Clinical Audit 2020
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
French Basic Basic Basic
Irish Medium Medium Basic
Details Date From Date To
I have been a member of the Scientific Committee of the Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Health Professionals ( European Society of Cardiology)since 2014 Mission The mission of the Science Committee is to build evidence based practice to optimise cardiovascular patient care by enhancing research possibilities, research skills and research collaborations among Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professionals. Vision The responsibilities of the Science Committee are to: build evidence-based practice, research capacity and skills among European nurses and allied professionals within CCNAP and beyond; plan mentoring sessions for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral CCNAP researchers; and link CCNAP researchers for collaboration across Europe and the world. Objectives Organize PhD seminars. Improve representation of nurses and allied professionals in guidelines and implementation papers. Publish a research agenda reflecting the priorities for research in the area of cardiovascular patient care, from a nursing and allied professional perspective. Promote and increase visibility of research in the area of cardiovascular patient care within the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Stimulate dedicated research funding in the area of cardiovascular patient care. Other activities Support the CCNAP Programme Committee with respect to abstract review or other issues related to the scientific level of presentations during the annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing. Provide scientific support to the CCNAP Programme Committee with respect to providing ideas for conferences Propose plans for educational seminars/workshops within the yearly Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing specified for practitioners and researchers specific interests 2014 2018
The Trinity Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI) The research centre for Trinity's School of Nursing and Midwifery - is expanding its research collaboration with IBM Research Ireland. The expansion will see TCPHI researchers work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts from IBM Research Ireland to advance a programme of research focused on finding effective and innovative solutions for integrated care and self-management in healthcare. 2012 2020
An Board Altranais 1992 Ongoing
Irish Cardiac Nurses Association 1998 ongoing
European Society of Cardiovascular Nursing 2000 On-going
Irish Heart Foundation: Women's Council 2004 On-going
K. Bowe, M. Mooney, F. O"Brien, D. Daly, V. Brady, E. Burke, L. Lolich, A. Paul, A. O"Halloran, B. Johnston, and S. O"Donnell, Development and validation of the `Menopause and Heart Health Questionnaire" (MHHQ): The CARAMEL study, https://www.tcd.ie/nursing-midwifery/events-and-conferences/theconference/ Book of abstracts, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2026 (THEconf2026) 'Healthcare in a Changing Landscape', Trinity College Dublin, 03 - 05 March 2026, edited by M. Mooney , 2026, pp1 , Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
Rosemarie Derwin, Frances O"Brien, Deirdre Daly, Vivienne Brady, Eilish Burke, Mary Mooney, Luciana Lolich, Kate Bowe, Aviejay Paul, Aisling O"Halloran, Bridget Johnston, and Sharon O"Donnell, Exploring Heart Health Among (Peri)Menopausal Women in Ireland: Preliminary Insights from the European Horizon CARAMEL Study, https://www.tcd.ie/nursing-midwifery/events-and-conferences/theconference/ Book of abstracts, Trinity Health and Education International Research Conference 2026 (THEconf2026) 'Healthcare in a Changing Landscape', Trinity College Dublin, 03 - 05 March 2026, 2026, pp1 , Conference Paper, PUBLISHED
J Song, F O'Brien, J Eustace-Cook, S O'Donnell, The role of lifestyle in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults with cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM): A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis, PloS one, 20, (12), 2025, pe0338896-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Delaney, S., Eustace-Cook, J., Ryberg, M., O'Donnell, S. & Byrne. G., Critical illness survivors' experiences of attending an intensive care unit follow-up service: a systematic review protocol, JBI Evidence Synthesis, 21, (12), 2023, p2438 - 2455, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Abdullah S. Alhurani 1, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour 1, *, Muayyad M. Ahmad 1, Gabrielle McKee 2, Sharon O'Donnell 2, Frances O'Brien 2, Mary Mooney 2, Zyad T. Saleh 1 and Debra K. Moser 3, The Association of Persistent Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety with Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome Events: A Prospective Observational Study, Healthcare, 10, (383), 2022, p9 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Hannon, B, Prizeman, G., O'Donnell, S., Ambulatory outpatient venous surgery service: an examination of patient satisfaction and experiences, Phlebology, 37, (8), 2022, p588 - 595, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Shirley Ingram, Karin O"Sullivan, Sharon O"Donnell, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin , Patient Satisfaction with An Advanced Nurse Practitioner Integrated Community Chest Pain Clinic, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Euroheartcare, Madrid , July 2022, 21, (1), Oxford, 2022, pp1 - 1, Meeting Abstract, PUBLISHED
Byrne, G. Murphy, F. Eustace -Cook,J. Mooney,M. O'Brien,F. O'Donnell, S. Corry, M. Lynch, A.M., Neenan,K. & McKee. G. , The prevalence of tobacco smoking among European migrants residing in EU 15 countries: a quantitative systematic review protocol, JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18, (12), 2020, p2647 - 2657, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
O'Donnell, S. Monahan, P, Mc Kee, G. McMahon, G. Curtin, E. Farrell, S. Moser, D. , Towards prompt electrocardiogram acquisition in triage: Preliminary testing of a symptom-based clinical prediction rule for the Android tablet, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 18, (4), 2019, p289 - 298, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
McKee G,, Mooney M, , O'Donnell S., O'Brien F., Biddle M., Moser D., , A cohort study examining the factors influencing changes in physical activity levels following an acute coronary syndrome event,, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing,, 18, (1), 2019, p57 - 66, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  URL
  

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McKee G,, Mooney M, , O'Donnell S., O'Brien F., Biddle M., Moser D., A cluster and inferential analysis of myocardial infarction symptom presentation by age.,,, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 17, (7), 2018, pp637- - 644, Journal Article, 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
Gabrielle Mckee, Sharon O'Donnell Mary Mooney, Frances O'Brien, Debra K. Moser., Symptom presentation in Myocardial Infarction (MI) patients: a regression model exploring if it is different in the aged, Irish Journal of Medical Science ,, 62nd Annual and Scientific Meeting of the Irish Gerontological Society, Galway, 9-11october 2014, 183, (7), 2014, ppppS316 , Conference Paper, 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
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., Mooney M., O' Donnell S., McKee G., and Moser D, Perceptions of vulnerability to ACS recurrence in an Irish population, Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association, Sligo, 7th October 2010, 2010, Poster, PUBLISHED
Mooney M., O'Brien F., McKee G., Fealy G., O' Donnell S. and Moser D. , From whom do people with ACS symptoms seek advice before going to the emergency department? , Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association, Sligo,, 7th October 2010, 2010, Poster, PUBLISHED

  


Award Date
Recpient of 3-year Post Doctoral Research Fellowship (HRB) 2009-2011
Recipient of a 3-year Clinical Nursing Research Fellowship: Health Research Board 2001-2004
Recipient of the Young Research Award (St. James's Hospital) 2003
Recipient of the All-Ireland Research Fellowship: An Bord Altranais 2000
Finalist in Clinical Nurse of the Year Award 1998
Using Technology to transfer research findings to practice I developed an innovative new Clinical Prediction Rule for use in Emergency Departments (ED). The 'Acute Coronary Syndrome Application' (AcSAP) was developed for Android tablet to improve 'door to ECG' times for all patients with ACS. Piloting of this Application is completed and results published. As well as improving the ECG acquisition times for patients in ED, the findings of this study suggest that this Application has the potential to improve ECG times in GP practices and during EMT transport to hospital. I continue to conduct further validation studies in different clinical sites. I am currently preparing an EIT submission with 5 European Business, Commercial and clinical Partners to combine the 'Acute Coronary Syndrome Application' (AcSAP)with another tested clinical Application to produce a Cardiac Discharge Bundle. In 2011, I was part of an interdisciplinary research group which collaborated with industry (Technology Research for Independent Living Centre (TRIL) & Intel) to develop technological based educational, motivational and health promoting material to support self management in patients with chronic illnesses. The material produced by this study was used to enhance assistive and m-Health technologies targeted at self management in chronic illness Gender and ACS Presentation: In 2009 I was awarded a HRB postdoctoral research fellowship to examine the following: (2) How do men and women with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) describe, interpret and act upon symptom presentation before and during their cardiac event? (2) Do gender-specific differences exist in the symptom presentation of men and women with suspected ACS? The results of this study demonstrated the existence of two type of MI presentation: Slow onset MI and fast onset MI Reducing delay time for patients with ACS through education In 2007, I was co-applicant on a research team who were successful at securing HRB funding (Research Project Grant-General) for an educational intervention study. In this study we collaborated with clinical experts from University of Kentucky and continue to have strong research links with this group. This multi-site RCT tested the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention on the length of pre-hospital delay in patients at risk of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Relative to other comparative interventions, it is the only international study that was successful in reducing ACS pre-hospital delay times. The secondary objectives included: to determine factors that influence pre-hospital delay; to determine the impact of the educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about heart disease and ACS symptoms; to compare GTN and ambulance use following an educational intervention; to elucidate the determinants of physical activity in the ACS population and how it changes post cardiac event; to determine intention to attend cardiac rehabilitation, subsequent attendance and the factors that influence this. Gender & Myocardial Infarction: An analysis of Care-Pathway Delays Summary In 2001-2004, I was awarded a Clinical Nursing Research Fellowship (HRB) with which I completed my doctorate 'Myocardial Infarction Care Pathways - are delays gender specific'. In this study I identified gender differences in MI illness behaviour and treatment. This was the first Irish contribution to an International debate on gendered MI care which had previously ensued for 20 years. The findings of my study placed gender at the forefront of clinical decision making pertaining to MI and as a result changed clinical practice in Ireland. My findings informed the work of the Women's Heart Council (Irish Heart Foundation) and the report 'Emergency Department Assessment of Women with MI - a collaboration between the Women's Health Council and the Emergency Medicine Association collaboration.