Summer Student in Focus: Paul Fahy
Our 2019 Summer Studentship awardee Paul Fahy (student nurse at NUI Galway) completed core aspects of a research study examining the views of health care professionals around palliative care for patients with blood cancers.
This month, the Irish Cancer Society wants to celebrate the success of our 2019 Summer Studentship awardee, Paul Fahy, a student nurse at the National University of Ireland in Galway. Last year, Paul completed core aspects of a research study examining the views of health care professionals around palliative care for patients with blood cancers, under the supervision of Dr Maura Dowling.
Recently, this work has culminated in a peer reviewed publication in the European Journal of Cancer Care titled ‘A qualitative evidence synthesis of healthcare professionals’ experiences and views of palliative care for patients with a haematological malignancy.’
This important work demonstrated that palliative care (or the preferred term, ‘supportive care’) should be integrated early alongside active curative treatment. Healthcare professionals view this model of care as best practice in achieving good outcomes and improving quality of life.
You can read more about this research here.
Since the studentship, Paul has graduated from NUI Galway and works in the Acute Medical Unit in Galway University Hospital and cares for haematology-oncology patients on a daily basis.
This research project has enhanced my awareness and skills as a researcher and it enables me to use evidence-based practice in my role as a nurse. It also has influenced me to pursue any research opportunities made available to me in the future.
Paul had the following advice for any would-be Studentship applicants: “I would advise anyone considering the studentship to apply. I got the opportunity to work with experts in their field who were willing to teach me about research and enhance my knowledge in relation to cancer care. The studentship provided me with so many extra opportunities such as presenting at the Haematology Association of Ireland’s annual conference and getting published in the European Journal of Cancer Care.”
This is an impressive and rare achievement for somebody at undergraduate level and the Irish Cancer Society couldn’t be more delighted for Paul! We wish him the very best with the next leg in his career.
If you are interested in applying for future Summer Studentship rounds, keep an eye on the Irish Cancer Society website.
For more information
Phone
1800 200 700
