Published: 22 November 2021

HRB invests €4.5 million in training to ensure research findings translate into better health

Three new HRB Collaborative Doctoral Awards will directly benefit people living with motor neurone disease and psychotic disorders, and those at risk of suicide and self-harm.

Under the Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA) 2021 scheme, three expert teams will each receive €1.5 million. As well as providing structured training for up to five PhD candidates per award, each team will also conduct a research programme in areas of high relevance to health and care for each focus area.

According to Dr Mairead O’Driscoll, Chief Executive at the Health Research Board (HRB):

“This HRB funding will equip a new generation of health and social care researchers and professionals to ensure research done in academic and clinical settings is translated into better care. This will improve the lives of people and their loved ones affected by these difficult diagnoses.”

The three Collaborative Doctoral Awards are as follows:

1. Neurological Care

MIRANDA- Multidisciplinary Innovation and Research Advancing Neurological care in a Digital Age, hosted at Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a degenerative disease of the nervous system, which affects one in 300 people in Ireland. Those affected lose their ability to use their arms, legs and voice, and eventually their ability to breathe. Some people also experience changes in thinking. There is extensive evidence that the best outcomes for patients are achieved in a multidisciplinary setting, where healthcare professionals work together.

The MIRANDA consortium of experts in research and practice has designed a comprehensive training programme for healthcare professionals which includes:

1. Creation of an evidence-based eHealth solution for delivery of neuro-rehabilitation

2. Development of a knowledge bank representing multidisciplinary knowledge and decision-making processes

3. Evaluation of professional burden in healthcare professionals and development of guidelines for management

5. Design and clinical integration of digital technology to facilitate communication and remote monitoring of disease progression

6. Implementation of innovative, user-friendly solutions for care.

According to Dr Miriam Galvin of the TCD leadership team:

“"MIRANDA links clinical research and practice through novel and emerging telehealth solutions in patient-focussed research, provided by Trinity College Dublin, and in collaboration with the Health Service Executive. This programme will enable different clinical specialties develop essential research skills and integrate research with clinical practice.

“Capitalizing on existing collaborations with European centres, PhD researchers will develop smart technologies to enhance knowledge, minimize burden for health care professionals, patients and families, and expand the benefits of cutting-edge multidisciplinary care.”  

2. Psychosis

PSychosis Ireland Structured Training and Research programme (PSI-STAR) hosted at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder occur in about three in one hundred people. They usually start in adolescence or young adulthood and can have a devastating impact on a young person's education, family and social relationships and career.

Because of this, it is very important to identify people in the early stages of psychosis (or even just before it begins) so that the best treatments and supports can be offered as soon as possible. This will improve the chances of recovery and a good outcome.

According to Professor David Cotter of the RCSI leadership team:

“PSI-STAR will develop an all-Ireland integrated network of clinicians and researchers from the disciplines of psychiatry, nursing, social work, sociology and psychology, as well as policymakers, who will foster, support and implement findings of clinically-oriented research into psychosis care in Ireland.

“PSI-STAR also has very extensive public, patient and family involvement. Importantly, it also includes an academic with lived experience of psychosis to firmly embed Patient, Public and Carer Involvement (PPI) in this research.”

3. Suicide and self-harm

Early Identification of Suicide and Self-Harm Risk and Comorbid Mental and PHysical Disorders: An INterdisciplinary TrAining, Research and InterventioN Programme (MHAINTAIN) hosted at University College Cork (UCC)

MHAINTAIN will address the need for doctoral training and career paths to improve early identification and intervention in suicide and self-harm risk. It will comprise four research projects with the following focus areas:

1. Early identification of risk of self-harm and suicide and comorbid mental disorders among people diagnosed with cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses
2. The impact of an improved Cognitive Behaviour Therapy programme on self-harm patients in terms of neuropsychological and biological markers
3. Early identification of risk factors for repeated self-harm in children and adolescents aged 10-18
4. Services and supports to minimise risk of suicide, self-harm and comorbid mental and physical health outcomes during public health emergencies.

MHAINTAIN involves an interdisciplinary team of researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience from the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), National Office for Suicide Prevention, and international partners from City University of London, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Massachusetts.

According to Professor Ella Arensman of the NSRF-UCC leadership team:

“By integrating expertise from all relevant disciplines and involving a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from patient advocacy, this innovative training programme will improve knowledge and expertise.

“In addition, the highly experienced partners will bring added value to the training and research programme by facilitating interdisciplinary research and training placements for the PhD scholars.”