Each year, over 30,000 people die in Ireland, with approximately a third of deaths caused by cancer.  Many terminally ill patients find themselves in Irish hospitals being treated for the biological aspects of the illness they are suffering from, with less emphasis being placed on their social, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.

The PhD scholar Lucy Hayden, received an Irish Research Council Enterprise Award with Breakthrough as the Enterprise partner. Lucy will work with Dr Simon Dunne and Prof Pamela Gallagher in the School of Psychology, Dublin City University. Her research will examine the psychological, social and spiritual concerns of patients with terminal cancer. Lucy will collect data from patients, caregivers and medical professionals and her findings will inform future policy and healthcare strategies in Ireland.

Publications

Hayden L, Byrne E, Deegan A, Dunne S, Gallagher P. A qualitative meta-synthesis examining spirituality as experienced by individuals living with terminal cancer. Health Psychol Open. 2022 Sep 8;9(2):20551029221121526. doi: 10.1177/20551029221121526. eCollection 2022 Jul-Dec.PMID: 36105766

Hayden L, Dunne S. “Dying With Dignity”: A Qualitative Study With Caregivers on the Care of Individuals With Terminal Cancer.Omega (Westport). 2022 Mar;84(4):1122-1145. doi: 10.1177/0030222820930135. Epub 2020 Jun 3.PMID: 32493167