Author: Dr Opeyemi Kolawole (Post-doctoral Researcher, PatentInHuman Project)
Dr Opeyemi Kolawole
Medical devices are integral to healthcare service delivery. Patients and healthcare service providers utilise these devices to diagnose, prevent, monitor, alleviate, and restore impaired body functions. Depending on the complexities of these devices and how they are deployed, they can become integrated with the patient’s body, and the patient’s healthy functioning and life may become dependent on the device (for example, an insulin pump or a pacemaker). Yet, like every other device, medical devices are susceptible to wear and tear: embedded software in the device may become obsolete over time, and physical elements may become deficient, making a device unsuitable for the patient’s needs. What options are available to the patient or health service provider in such instances? Should they, or a trusted repairer, be allowed to repair these devices? Patients and hospitals confronted this question at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 20th April 2023, the PatentsInHumans team were delighted to host the public launch event for the European Research Council (ERC) funded PatentsInHumans project in Maynooth University. The event was attended by over 45 individuals, including, members of the public, students and academics working in a range of disciplines (including law, biology, political science and business), practising lawyers, and technology transfer specialists.
The PatentsInHumans project, based in the School of Law and Criminology and ALL Institute at Maynooth University, commenced on the 1st November 2022 and is a large interdisciplinary five-year project. It is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant and led by Professor Aisling McMahon. Alongside Professor McMahon, the PatentsInHumans team includes project manager, Sinéad Masterson, and postdoctoral researcher, Dr Opeyemi Kolawole. As the project develops, we will be recruiting more researchers to join the team in the coming months and years ahead.
Author Bio:Dr Rebecca Maguire is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University. Her research interests include health and wellbeing in chronic illness, caregiver burden, health-related expectations, qualify of life and psycho-oncology. In addition, Rebecca has been living with multiple sclerosis for a number of years, which has influenced her research agenda. She is also a board member of MS Ireland.
Dr Rebecca Maguire
Tuesday 30th May marks World MS Day – an occasion celebrated by the global MS community with the aim of raising awareness of the condition known as multiple sclerosis (MS). In Ireland, it is estimated that approximately 9,000 people live with MS, however this number could be higher, with one study suggesting that around 300 people are diagnosed in the country every year. Internationally, almost three million people live with the condition, with rates twice as high in women than in men.
Simply put, MS is a chronic, often progressive, neurological condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, resulting in damage to myelin, thereby disrupting signals to and from the brain (see definition from the US National MS Society). Anecdotally, almost all people will have heard of MS, with many having a family member, friend or colleague living with the condition. However, few people will truly understand what MS is, unless, of course, they live with it themselves. To a certain extent I am privileged in this respect, having lived with MS for a number of years now, although my experience has also made me very aware that no two people with MS are the same. The disease can have wide-ranging, fluctuating and variable impacts for those affected, potentially leading to high levels of disability for some, while having minimal effects on the lives of others. Similarly, although some people with MS may require the support of caregivers, many others continue to live independently, holding down demanding jobs, juggling caring responsibilities and whatever else live entails. However, for almost all affected, MS and its management brings additional physical and psychological burdens which can, at times, be difficult to navigate.
Author: Joan Alaboson is a Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Psychology, Maynooth University. She has a background in medicine and an MSc in Public Health with broad research interests in non-communicable diseases, particularly mental health, social determinants of health and quality of life.
Joan Alaboson
‘What can be done to make settling into the PhD, better?’ asked Dirk, the Director of the Science Foundation Ireland’s Centre for Research Training in Advance Networks for Sustainable Societies (ADVANCE CRT) at a meeting with funded PhD students. Being the only one in the room that had recently commenced my studies, at that moment I felt there was a deep sense of concern for my well-being by ‘management’. It was the first of such fora I’d attended, and I left with a lasting impression of being in relatable company during my studies.
True inclusion, however, could often be elusive, despite best efforts. There is hardly any organization, entity or group that does not seek to represent the interests of those concerned. It may be expressed in a vision, mission, goals, or activities. Yet, many can be left out. Sometimes, it is a fault inherent in group development, when diverse people are not present to consciously bring unique perspectives to the fore. Similarly, it may result from work protocols or culture that fail to recognize and may neglect, systematically, the views and or needs of diverse people.
Author: Ellen Staeglin Tucker, 3rd year BSc psychology intern of Dr Tadhg MacIntyre at Maynooth University
Autumn School on Our Future in Forestry
World Mental Health Day takes place on the 10th of October every year and has been running since 1992. The month of October is also World Mental Health Month. Every year a theme is highlighted around the topic of mental health today, as well as a general aim to spread awareness and gain support. The theme for 2022 is “Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority”. There are two important factors being highlighted this year; 1. the need for everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to have easy access to mental health services, and 2. the prioritisation of mental health and mental health services. For some, professional healthcare is vital to find ways of improvement and recovery, for a lot of people mental health services could go a long way in improving mental health. This is where a lot of the disparity in access lies. However, there are daily activities that nearly everyone can do at home to help improve their mental health.
