Oisin Brady Bates

Aim: This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a virtual exchange programme in global health and primary care, with a focus on building capacity and fostering collaboration between European and Sub-Saharan African institutions. Methods: A mixed-methods approach will be adopted across three phases. First, a scoping review will synthesise evidence on the implementation, outcomes, barriers, and facilitators of virtual exchanges in global health. Second, a virtual exchange curriculum will be co-developed through surveys and focus groups with medical students and educators. Third, the programme will be evaluated using pre- and post-course surveys, and semi-structured interviews to measure changes in knowledge, global health competencies, and intercultural awareness. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and regression analyses, while qualitative data will undergo reflexive thematic analysis. Conclusion: This study will generate evidence on the design and impact of virtual exchanges for global health education, contributing to the development of sustainable and equitable curricula in PHC. By disseminating findings across academic, policy, and professional networks, the VICTORY project seeks to advance global collaboration, support workforce development, and promote health equity.

Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality globally, with 75% of deaths projected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2030. In South Africa, late-stage diagnosis predominates due to limited symptom awareness, fragmented referral pathways, and health system constraints. Evidence-based interventions require comprehensive understanding of diagnostic pathway barriers. Aim This mixed-methods study aims to systematically map lung cancer diagnostic pathways in the Western Cape, South Africa, generating empirical evidence to inform subsequent intervention development. The research integrates the Model of Pathways to Treatment, the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions, and participatory action research principles. Methods Four integrated components will be conducted over 24 months: (1) realist review synthesising evidence on lung cancer diagnostic strategies in LMICs, identifying context-mechanism-outcome configurations; (2) cross-sectional survey with newly diagnosed patients (target n = 100–150 via 12-month consecutive recruitment across tertiary and secondary facilities) quantifying diagnostic time intervals and delay factors; (3) patient journey mapping with up to 50 patients, families, and 12–15 healthcare workers using framework analysis to explore lived experiences from symptom onset to diagnosis; and (4) health facility assessments evaluating diagnostic capacity across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Participatory feedback workshops will engage stakeholders in developing multi-level action plans. Conclusion This study will generate quantitative data on diagnostic intervals, qualitative insights into patient and provider experiences, and system-level capacity assessments. Integrated findings will identify priority intervention targets and inform co-design of contextually appropriate strategies to reduce diagnostic delays. Findings will contribute to South African cancer control policy and offer methodological insights transferable to other LMIC settings.

Background In Ireland, cancer is a leading cause of mortality. Optimising primary care cancer research is crucial for better patient outcomes and healthcare policies. This study identifies Irish health data resources relevant to primary care cancer research, addressing a gap in understanding data availability and utility to enhance cancer care. Methods We conducted a comprehensive review of Irish health data resources across multiple platforms, including a broad data search, expert consultations, literature review, and data synthesis. An expert roundtable refined our findings. Results Our review identified 39 data resources, including national registries, biobanks, and health system audits. We noted varying levels of data accessibility and comprehensiveness, with several datasets offering significant potential. Emergent themes focused on data quality and practical utility to address specific primary care cancer research questions. Conclusion This review provides a foundational resource for primary care cancer researchers in Ireland, highlighting available data, potential gaps, and challenges. The resulting data catalogue will guide future research, supporting evidence-based strategies and advancing health informatics and cancer research. Highlights This comprehensive review identifies and evaluates a diverse range of Irish health data resources, establishing a foundational catalogue for advancing primary care cancer research in Ireland. The study highlights significant gaps in data accessibility and utility, underlining the need for enhanced data integration and linkage to improve research outcomes and healthcare strategies. Our findings provide a roadmap for policymakers and researchers, recommending the optimisation of existing datasets to support evidence-based cancer care strategies and inform future healthcare improvements in Ireland.

Rationale: After completing treatment for cancer, survivors may experience late cardiotoxic effects: consequences of treatment that persist or arise after a latent period. Primary care providers are well situated to manage these effects. Risk prediction models may assist with this. Purpose: To identify and describe all models that predict the risk of late effects and could be used in an ambulatory care setting. Data sources: Searches will be conducted across MEDLINE and EMBASE supplemented by manual reference list reviews and targeted grey literature searches using Google. Study Selection: Studies to be included are those describing models that 1) predicted the absolute risk of a late cardiotoxic effect present at least one year post-treatment, across all cancer treatment modalities, and 2) could be used in an ambulatory care clinical setting, Data Extraction & Synthesis: Data will be extracted as per the CHARMS checklist, an assessment of bias will be conducted as per the McGinn Checklist. Discussion: This scoping review will comprehensively map existing tools for risk prediction of the late cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapy in cancer survivors, applicable to an ambulatory care setting. Registration: This protocol was registered on 21.6.25 to Zenodo : 10.5281/zenodo.15708760 Key Messages: Cancer survivors face a significant long-term risk of late-onset cardiotoxicity, often undetected until advanced stages. This review will identify and map validated multivariable risk prediction models that could support the early identification of cardiotoxicity in ambulatory and primary care settings. Integrating prediction tools into primary care may help address growing oncology workforce gaps while enabling timely, risk-adapted cardiovascular follow-up.

RationaleVirtual exchanges are emerging as innovative educational tools with the potential to foster collaboration between High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). These initiatives hold the potential to enhance intercultural competencies, promote equitable partnerships, and address resource disparities. Understanding the pedagogical underpinnings, challenges, and best practices of virtual exchanges is vital for developing scalable and sustainable integration into healthcare education.Research QuestionTo what extent have virtual exchanges in global health been reported in the literature to date, including their frameworks, impact and sustainability?Inclusion criteriaStudies involving a global health virtual exchange between at least one HIC and one LMIC will be included. Sources in all healthcare contexts will be included. Non-English language publications and those solely using secondary data will be excluded.MethodsThe review will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews (1). The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline Ovid, Embase, CINAHL & ERIC. A search of the grey literature will also be conducted. Three reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts and full texts for eligibility. Data extraction will be conducted independently by three reviewers. A narrative summary and tables will be presented. Key stakeholders will be consulted throughout the review.DiscussionThis scoping review will provide a comprehensive understanding of virtual exchanges in global health, outlining frameworks, outcomes, content and best practices. The findings will inform the development of evidence-based models to design and sustain virtual exchanges between HIC and LMICs, enhancing their impact in global health education and practice.RegistrationThis protocol was registered to the Open Science Framework (OSF): DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MWHBP

Background Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with diagnostic delays in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) often resulting in late-stage detection and poor outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of the pathways to diagnosis, and the contextual factors that shape them, is essential to improving early detection in these settings. This protocol describes a realist review to examine how patient, healthcare provider, and system-level contexts influence pathways to lung cancer diagnosis, focusing on barriers and facilitators. Methods The review will employ a realist approach to develop, test, and refine theories on how diagnostic pathways operate within LMIC contexts. Specifically, we will explore how contextual factors at the patient, healthcare provider, and system levels interact to influence mechanisms that lead to timely or delayed diagnosis. The initial programme theory (IPT) will be developed through a scoping review and stakeholder consultation, with iterative refinement as evidence is synthesised. Data from multiple sources, including peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and stakeholder input, will be extracted, coded, and synthesised to identify context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations. The review will adhere to RAMESES standards for realist reviews. Outcomes The review will generate CMO configurations explaining the function of lung cancer diagnostic pathways in LMICs, with a particular focus on South Africa as a case context. Findings will inform strategies and policies to improve early diagnosis by addressing key contextual barriers and enhancing facilitators. Stakeholder engagement will ensure findings are applicable and relevant to local healthcare settings. Conclusion This review aims to provide actionable insights into lung cancer diagnostic pathways in LMICs, enabling the development of targeted interventions to reduce delays, promote early diagnosis, and ultimately improve patient outcomes, with an emphasis on translating findings to South African healthcare contexts.

Aims Planetary health is a transdisciplinary field that explores the relationship between the escalating climate and environmental crises and human health. In light of the human health cost arising from planetary health issues, there is a need to educate future medical practitioners accordingly. This study investigates the factors influencing the integration of planetary health into undergraduate medical education at an Irish university and makes recommendations for future practice. Methods A qualitative descriptive study design was employed. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with academic staff actively involved in teaching on the undergraduate medical curriculum at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Both barriers and facilitators to integrating planetary heath into the curriculum were explored. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings. Results Barriers to integration include: a lack of curricular space, a perceived lack of awareness among students and educators and a potential lack of knowledge among educators and senior management in relation to these issues. These barriers were tempered by significant facilitators suggesting a shifting paradigm within institutions, innovative approaches to content delivery and an increasing demand from undergraduate medical students. Conclusion This study found a demand from medical educators for the integration of planetary health topics into the medical curriculum. It is suggested that significant adaptation of existing medical curricula is required both in Ireland and further afield, to meet this need. Recommendations based on the barriers and facilitators that emerged during the analysis include: emphasising the clinical relevance of these topics, as suggested by the current evidence base; promoting senior and departmental leadership; and emphasising the potential for improvements in institutional prestige.