Deirdre McCartan
PhD Scholar
Stroke Research Project 1 iPASTAR
Biography for Deirdre McCartan – iPASTAR Project 1
Deirdre is a specialist trainee in Geriatric Medicine. She studied Medicine in Trinity College Dublin, qualifying in 2013, after returning to Ireland following a period working as a forensic scientist in New York and Wellington, New Zealand. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Analytical Science from Dublin City University and a Masters’ Degree in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. As a medical doctor she developed an early interest in the care of older people noting the unique and complex medical challenges older people face but also their challenges in accessing appropriate health care support for successful and independent living in later years. Having completed Basic Specialist Training and becoming a member of the RCPI in 2016 she began Higher Specialist Training in Geriatric and General Internal Medicine in 2018. Her subspecialty clinical and research interests include the diagnosis and management of stroke and dementia syndromes. Other areas of experience and interest includes the use of CSF biomarkers in the diagnosis of Alzheimer-type dementias and in oropharyngeal dysphagia and its impact on the frail older person. As part of the iPASTAR collaboration Deirdre will interrogate the existing evidence base for effective processes and organisational structures for acute stroke care, particularly in the pre-hospital phase. Her aim will be to identify key issues that impact the delivery of equitable and accessible acute stroke care, with focus on developing a framework for a national thrombectomy service.