Dr. Catherine Darker
Associate Prof in Health Services Res, Public Health & Primary Care
Biography
Associate Professor Catherine Darker is a Health Psychologist and obtained her undergraduate psychology degree from Dublin Business School. She then undertook a full time two-year Masters of Health Psychology in National University of Ireland, Galway. She obtained her PhD from the School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Birmingham, UK. She joined the Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care, School of Medicine, in 2007.
Her research interests lie in translating evidence into practice, in particular, using theories, evidence and methods for changing the behaviours of healthcare professionals, patients and the general public. This is known in Ireland and the UK as Implementation Science research. She has a particular expertise in applying and developing complex intervention methodology in the context of community based programmes and trials (including intervention design, outcome measurement, fidelity, feasibility, and process evaluation), for prevention related research (e.g., smoking cessation, alcohol, physical activity/sedentary behaviour). She has a proven track record in attracting research funds as PI or Co-Applicant (over 2.4 million euro). She has been PI and Co-PI on funded research by the Health Research Board (HRB) to undertake public health studies relating to COVID-19; a pilot cluster randomized trial of a community-based smoking cessation intervention for disadvantaged women in Ireland, and a a peer-to-peer motivational interview intervention for smoking, alcohol and physical activity among at risk adolescents in low SES communities. Professor Darker is routinely commissioned by the Health Service Executive to conduct outcome and process type evaluations of national programmes and services. All of her research has a clearly defined Knowledge Exchange Dissemination plan with recommendations to change policy and practice in the prevention and management of a range of chronic conditions. She has served as Head of Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care. She is the Director of Postgraduate Teaching and Learning within the School of Medicine. She is a senior member of teaching teams and develops and delivers innovative curriculum's for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is an active member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (Chartered Health Psychologist) having held many roles within the governance of the Society. She is a member of the European Health Psychology Society.
She was an inaugural member of the Healthy Ireland Council, and a Member of the Expert Committee on Prevention within the Irish Cancer Society. She is a strong advocate for the just and equitable distribution of and access to healthcare services. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications (h-index 20) and supervises and examines PhD and Masters students.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
O'Brien T, Darker CD, Mockler D and Barrett EM., Strategies for recruitment of adolescent girls into physical activity programmes: a systematic review protocol, HRB Open Research, 7, (6), 2024
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G., Reddon, H., O"Connor, K., Jennings, R., & O"Connell, N., Monthly engagement with EIP keyworkers was associated with a five-fold increase in the odds of engagement with psychosocial interventions, BMC Psychiatry, 24, (96), 2024
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G., Reddon, H., O"Connor, K., Jennings, R., & O"Connell, N., Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of an early intervention in psychosis service in three demonstration sites in Ireland, BMC Health Services Research, 23, (653), 2023
Darker CD, Mullin M, Doyle L, Tanner M, McGrath D, Doherty L, Dreyer-Gibney K, Barrett EM, Flynn D, Murphy P, Ivers JH, Burke E, Ryan M, McCarron M, Murphy P, Sheils O, Hevey D, Leen A, Keogh L, Walls B, Bennett AE, Petersen F, Nolan A, Barry JM., Developing a health promoting university in Trinity College Dublin-overview and outline process evaluation, Health Promotion International, 38, (4), 2023, p1 - 14, p1-14
Darker CD, Burke E, Castello S, O'Sullivan K, O'Connell, N., Vance, J, Reynolds C, Buggy A, Dougall, N, Loudon K, Williams P, Dobbie F, Bauld L and Hayes, CB., A process evaluation of 'We Can Quit' a community-based smoking cessation intervention targeting women from areas of socio-disadvantage in Ireland., A process evaluation of 'We Can Quit' a community-based smoking cessation intervention targeting women from areas of socio-disadvantage in Ireland., BMC Public Health, 22, 2022, p1528-
Martin Dempster, Nicola O'Connell, Christopher D. Graham, Cliodhna O'Connor, Lina Zgaga, Emma Burke, Luke Mather, Gail Nicolson, Joe Barry, Gabriel Scally, Ann Nolan. Katy Tobin, Philip Crowley and Catherine D. Darker, Non-adherence to COVID-19 containment behaviours: results from an all-Ireland telephone surv, BMC Public Health, 22, (898), 2022
Hayes CB, Patterson J, Castello S, Burke E, O'Connell N, Darker, CD Bauld L, Vance J, Ciblis A, Dobbie F, Loudon K, Declan D, Dougall N, Peer-Delivery of a Gender-Specific Smoking Cessation Intervention for Women Living in Disadvantaged Communities in Ireland We Can Quit2 (WCQ2)-A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 24, (4), 2022, p564 - 573
O'Connell, N., Burke, E., Dobbie, F., Dougall, N., Mockler, D., Darker, C., Vance, J., Bernstein, S., Gilbert, H., Bauld, L., & Hayes, C.B. , The effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions for socio-economically disadvantaged women: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Systematic Reviews , 11, (111), 2022
Darker CD, Moore E, Flynn E, O'Neill M, Doherty L, McMahon J, McLoughlin O, Rouine E, Ivers J, Allwright S, McGrath D, Seery A, McAndrew M, Barrett E, Tanner M, Bennett AE, Brennan S, Mullin M, Barry JM., Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland, Health Promotion International, 2022, p1 - 14
O'Ciardha, D., Blake, A.M., Creane, D., O'Callaghan, M., & Darker, C., Can a practice pharmacist improve prescribing safety and reduce costs in polypharmacy patients? A pilot study on an intervention in an Irish general practice setting, BMJ Open , 12, (5), 2022
Catherine Darker; Kirsty Loudon; Nicola O'Connell; Stefania Castello; Emma Burke; Joanne Vance; Caitriona Reynolds; Aine Buggy; Nadine Dougall; Pauline Williams; Fiona Dobbie; Linda Bauld; Catherine B Hayes, An application of PRECIS-2 to evaluate trial design in a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of a community-based smoking cessation intervention for women living in disadvantaged areas of Ireland, Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8, (19), 2022
Castello S, Darker CD, Vance J, Dougall N, Linda Bauld L , Hayes CB, The We Can Quit2 Smoking Cessation Trial: Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination Following a Community-Based Participatory Research Approach, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 19, (4), 2022, p2333-
McCarron P., Smyth B., Carroll G., Glynn M., Barry J., Whiston L., Keenan E., Darker C., Truszkowska E., Patterns of new psychoactive substance use among opioid-dependent patients attending for opioid substitution treatment, HEROIN ADDICTION AND RELATED CLINICAL PROBLEMS, 24, (1), 2022, p21 - 29
O'Connell, N., O'Connor, K., McGrath, D., Vagge, L., Mockler, D., Jennings, R., Darker, C.D., Early Intervention in Psychosis services: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the barriers and facilitators to implementation, European Psychiatry, 2021, p1-44
Nolan, A., Burke, S., Burke, E., Darker, C., Barry, J., O'Connell, N., Zgaga, L., Mather, L., Nicolson, G., Dempster, M., Graham, C., Crowley, P., O'Connor, C., Tobin, K and Scally, G., Obstacles to Public Health that even Pandemics cannot Overcome: The Politics of Covid-19 on the Island of Ireland, Irish Studies in International Affairs, 32, (2), 2021
Ogutu, Michael, Muraya, Kui, Mockler, David, Darker, Catherine, Factors influencing the performance of community health volunteers working within urban informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative meta-synthesis review, Human Resources for Health, 19, (1), 2021
O'Connor, C., O'Connell, N., Burke, E., Nolan, A., Dempster, M., Graham, C.D., Nicolson, G., Barry. J., Scally, G., Crowley, P., Zgaga, L., Mather,L., & Darker, C.D, Media Representations of Science during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of News and Social Media on the Island of Ireland, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, (9542), 2021
Cliodhna O'Connor, Nicola O'Connell, Emma Burke, Martin Dempster, Christopher D. Graham, Gabriel Scally, Lina Zgaga, Ann Nolan, Gail Nicolson, Luke Mather, Joseph Barry, Philip Crowley, Catherine D. Darker,, Bordering on crisis: A qualitative analysis of focus group, social media, and news media perspectives on the Republic of Ireland-Northern Ireland border during the 'first wave' of the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Science and Medicine, 282, 2021
Gamage, N.M., Darker, C., Smyth, B.P. , Improvement in psychological wellbeing among adolescents with a substance use disorder attending an outpatient treatment programme, Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , 8, (Apr), 2021, p1 - 8
Nicolson, G.H., Hayes, C.B., & Darker, C.D. , A cluster-randomised crossover pilot feasibility study of a multicomponent intervention to recue occupational sedentary behaviour in professional male employees, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, (17), 2021, p9292-
Sayers G, Donohoe F, McKeown D, Mc Dermott R, Cianci F, Darker C, Haase T & Johnson H, Analysis of low birth weight first-born babies by geography and deprivation as an aid to policy and service targeting., Journal of Public Health., 42, (1), 2020, p66 - 73
Risk perception. in, editor(s)M.D. Gellman & J.R. Turner , Encyclopaedia of Behavioral Medicine. , New York, USA, Springer , 2020, [Darker, C. & Phillips, A. ]
Darker, C., O'Connell, N., Dempster, M., Graham, C., O'Connor, C., Zgaga, L., Nolan, A., Tobin, K., Brennan, N., Nicolson, G., Burke, E., Mather, L., Crowley, P., Scally, G., Barry, J., Study protocol for the COvid-19 Toolbox for All IslaNd (CONTAIN) project: A cross-border analysis in Ireland to disentangle psychological, behavioural, media and governmental responses to COVID-19, HRB Open Research, 2020, p10.12688/hrbopenres.13105.1
Lungu, E., Darker, C.D., & Biesma, R. , Determinants of healthcare seeking for childhood illnesses among caregivers of under-five children in urban slums in Malawi: a population-based cross-sectional study, BMC Pediatrics , 20 , 2020
Nicolson, G., Hayes, C., & Darker, C. , Examining total and domain-specific sedentary behaviour using the socio-ecological model - a cross-sectional study of Irish adults. , BMC Public Health , 19, (1155), 2019
Emma Burke, Fiona Dobbie, Nadine Dougall, Mary Adebolu Oluwaseun, David Mockler, Joanne Vance, Nicola O'Connell, Catherine Darker, Linda Bauld, Catherine Hayes, Smoking cessation programmes for women living in disadvantaged communities, We Can Quit 2: A systematic review protocol, HRB Open Access, 2, (10), 2019
Hickey, A., Lawler, M., Doyle, F., Nixon, E., Darker, C., Barry, M., Field, C., & Hevey, D. , The effects of training low-SES adolescents in Motivational Interviewing for health behaviour change among peers., 33rd Annual Conference of the European Health Psychological Society, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 3 - 7 September 2019, 2019
Lawler, M., Hickey, A., Hevey, D., Doyle, F., Nixon, E., Darker, C., Barry, M., & Field, C. , Effects of a peer-led motivational interviewing intervention on physical activity levels of adolescents in low SES communities, Psychology Health and Medicine Conference 2019, Maynooth University , 22nd March, 2019
Hayes, C., Ciblis, A., Darker, C.D., Dougall, N., Vance, J., O'Connell, N., Dobbie, F., Louden, K., Burke, E., Devane, D., Bauld, L. , We can Quit 2: A community-based intervention on smoking cessation for women living in disadvantaged areas of Ireland: study protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. , BMC Pilot and Feasibility Studies , 5 , (138 ), 2019
Haberlin, C., Broderick, J., Guinan, E., Darker, C.D., Hussey, J., O'Donnell, D.M., 'eHealth-based intervention to increase physical activity levels in people with cancer: protocol of a feasibility trial in an Irish acute hospital setting', 2019, e024999-
Lawler, M., Hickey, A., Doyle, F., Nixon, E., Darker, C., Barry, M., Field, C., & Hevey, D., Effectiveness of a peer-led motivational interviewing intervention for increasing physical activity among at-risk adolescents, 33rd Annual Conference of the European Health Psychological Society, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 3 - 7 September 2019, 2019
Sorin, G.M., Darker, C., Whiston, L., O'Callaghan, A., Barry, J.M., Kelly, B.D. , A cross-sectional, face-to-face, community survey of mental health and deprivation in post-recession Ireland: a rising tide lifts all boats? , Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , 2019, p1 - 12
Whiston, L., O'Keane, V., Barry, J.M., & Darker, C, Patient, family and clinician preferences for the intensity and implementation of patient and family participation in healthcare design and delivery in psychiatry. , European Journal of Psychiatry. , in press, 2018
Lungu, E.A., Obse, A.G., Darker, C., & Biesma, R. , What influences where they seek care? Caregivers' preferences for under-five child healthcare services in urban slums of Malawi: A discrete choice experiment. , PLoS ONE, 13, (1), 2018
Kelly, B.D., Sorin, G.M., Barry, J.M., Whiston, L., Donnelly-Swift, E., & Darker, C. , Community-based, cross sectional study of self-reported health in post-recession Ireland: what has changed? , QJM: An International Journal of Medicine., 111, (8), 2018, p555 - 559
Darker, C.D., Donnelly-Swift, E., & Whiston, L. , Demographic factors and attitudes that influence the support of the general public for the introduction of universal healthcare in Ireland: A national survey. , Health Policy, 122, (2), 2018, p147 - 156
Lungu, EA., Biesma R., Chirwa, M., & Darker., C., "Is the urban child health advantage declining in Malawi?: Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys.", Journal of Urban Health , online, (online), 2018, p1 - 14
Ivers JH, Zgaga L, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Darker C, Smyth BP, Barry J., A naturalistic longitudinal analysis of post-detoxification outcomes in opioid-dependent patients., Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (S1), 2018, p339 - 347
Darker, C.D. , KEYNOTE ADDRESS: In the horrors: a decade of generating applied research to influence health service and health policy. , Psychology, Health & Medicine , Ulster University, 2018
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G.H., Carroll, A., & Barry, J. , The barriers and facilitators to the implementation of National Clinical Programmes in Ireland: using the MRC framework for process evaluations. , BMC Health Services Research , 18, (733), 2018
Darker, C.D., Nicolson, G.H., Carroll, A., & Barry, J., Process evaluation of the national clinical care programmes in Ireland, International Conference on Integrated Care, Dublin, 2017
O'Connor, G., O'Keeffe, D.O., Darker, C., & O'Shea, B. , Patient acceptability and experiences of therapeutic switching of proton pump inhibitors within the National Preferred Drugs initiative in Ireland., Irish Journal of Medical Science, 186, (3), 2017, p631 - 639
Darker, C.D., KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Aligning population based approaches to improving health outcomes: improving primary care services and lessons for integrated care. , International Conference on Integrated Care, Dublin, 2017
Whiston, L., Joe M. Barry, & Darker, C.D. , Participation of patients and family members in healthcare services at the service and national levels: a lesson learned in Dublin, Ireland. , Patient Education and Counselling. , 100, (3), 2017, p583 - 591
Darker, C.D., Donnelly-Swift, E., Whiston, L., Moore, F. & Barry, J. , Determinants of self rated health in an Irish deprived suburban population - a cross sectional face-to-face household survey., Psychology, Health & Medicine, Dublin, 2017
Lungu, EA., Biesma R., Chirwa, M., Darker., C. , Healthcare seeking practices and barriers to accessing under-five child health services in urban slums in Malawi: a qualitative study. , BMC Health Services Research, 16, (410), 2016
Darker C, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Whiston L, Anderson R, Barry J, Screening and Brief Intervention for illicit drug use and alcohol use in methadone maintained opiate dependent patients: Results of a randomised control trial feasibility study, Substance Use and Misuse, 51, (9), 2016, p1104 - 1115
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., Keenan, E., Whiston, L., Anderson, R., & Barry, J. , Tailoring a brief intervention for illicit drug use and alcohol use in Irish methadone maintained opiate dependent patients: a qualitative process. , BMC Psychiatry , 16, (373), 2016
Darker, C.D., Donnelly-Swift, E., Whiston, L., Moore, F., & Barry, J. , Determinants of self rated health in an Irish deprived suburban population - a cross sectional face-to-face household survey. , BMC Public Health, 16, (767), 2016
Barrett EM, Darker CD, Hussey J, The sedentary profile of primary care patients, Journal of Public Health, 39, (2), 2016, p347 - 352
Darker, C., Ho, J., Kelly, G., Whiston, L., & Barry, J. , Demographic and clinical factors predicting retention in methadone maintenance: results from an Irish cohort. , Irish Journal of Medical Science, 185, (2), 2016, p433 - 441
Barrett EM, Hussey J, Darker CD, Location and deprivation are important influencers of physical activity in primary care populations, Public Health, 136, 2016, p80 - 86
Barrett EM, Hussey J, Darker CD, Feasibility of a physical activity pathway for Irish primary care physiotherapy services, Physiotherapy, 103, (1), 2016, p106 - 112
Doorley, E., Young, C., O'Rorke, C., Hollywood, B., Darker, C., O'Shea, B. , Is primary prevention of childhood obesity by education at 13-month immunisations feasible and acceptable? Results from a General Practice based pilot study., Irish Medical Journal, 108, (1), 2015, p13 - 15
Darker, C.D. & Doyle, F. , The Healthy Ireland Framework and health behaviour change to improve public health, Institute of Public Health Open Conference , Dublin, 2015
Smyth, B.P., James, P., Cullen, W., & Darker, C., "So prohibition can work?" Changes in use of novel psychoactive substances among adolescents attending a drug and alcohol treatment service following a legislative ban. , International Journal of Drug Policy, 26, (9), 2015, p887 - 889
Breen N, MacEoin S, Loy A, O'Shea B, Darker C, Insights and Concerns of Patients and GPs Regarding Introduction of Universal Health Insurance in Ireland, Irish Medical Journal, 108, (9), 2015, p281 - 282
Darker CD, Sweeney BP, Barry JM, Farrell MF, Donnelly-Swift E, Psychosocial interventions for benzodiazepine harmful use, abuse or dependence., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , CD009652, (5), 2015
Darker, C., Palmer, D., O'Reilly, G., Whiston, L., & Smyth, B. , Young people in drug treatment: their views on substance use - aetiology, trajectory, parents' role in drug use and coping skills., Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32, (31), 2015, p247 - 258
Smyth, B.P., Kelly, A., Cullen, W., Darker, C. , Treatment outcome for adolescents abusing alcohol and cannabis: how many 'reliably improve'?, Irish Medical Journal, 108, (5), 2015, p137 - 140
Drug Use and Abuse: Psychosocial Aspects in, editor(s)James D. Wright , International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Oxford, Elsevier, 2015, pp685 - 689, [Darker, C., Whiston, L., ]
Darker, C.D., Sweeney, B.P., Barry, J.M., Farrell, M.F., Donnelly-Swift, E, 'PODCAST: Psychosocial interventions for benzodiazepine harmful use, abuse or dependence', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , 2015, -
O' Shea, B., McElwee, O., Martin, D., Brennan, B., O'Leary, F., Kavanagh, K., Courtney, A., Scully, M., Ramiah, D., & Darker, C. , Are we ready to"Think Ahead" ? Results from a patient acceptability study using an innovative end of life planning tool in General Practice., Irish Medical Journal, 107, (5), 2014, p138 - 140
Darker CD, Sweeney B, Keenan E, Whiston L, Rolande A, & Barry J., Development of a culturally and contextually appropriate brief intervention for illicit drug use and alcohol use in Irish methadone maintained opiate dependent patients: a qualitative approach. , Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, Cork, Ireland, 2014
O'Toole J, Hambly R, Cox AM, O'Shea B, Darker C. , Methadone-maintained patients in primary care have higher rates of chronic disease and multimorbidity, and use health services more intensively than matched controls. , European Journal of General Practice, 20, (4), 2014, p275 - 280
Gilroy, D., O'Brien, S., Barry, J., Ivers, J., Whiston, L., Keenan, E., & Darker, C. , Benzodiazepine use in a methadone maintained opioid dependent cohort in Ireland. , Heroin Addiction & Related Clinical Problems, , 14, (3), 2014, p101 - 110
Darker, C.D., Sweeney, B., Keenan, E., Whiston, L., Anderson, A., & Barry, J, Brief intervention for alcohol and illicit drug use in methadone maintained patients: a cluster RCT feasibility study, European Working Group on Drugs Orientated Research , Dublin, 2014
Darker, C. , Hospital governance in Ireland - the dilemma of diversity. , Administration, 62, (1), 2014, p5 - 28
Ni Shuilleabhain, Barry, J., Kelly, A., O'Kelly, F., Darker, C., & O'Dowd, T. , Alcohol consumption in pregnancy: results from the general practice setting, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 183, (2), 2014, p231 - 240
Darker, C.D., Sweeney, B., Keenan, E., Whiston, L., Anderson, A., & Barry, J, Screening and brief interventions for illicit drug use and alcohol use in methadone maintained opiate dependent patients: results of a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study , Psychology, Health & Medicine, University of Limerick, 2014
O'Shea, B. Darker, C., & O'Kelly, F. , Chronic disease management in patients attending Irish General Practice Training Practices. , Irish Medical Journal, 106, (7), 2013, p207 - 209
Darker, C.D., Ivers, J.H., O'Farrell, A., Dolan, R., Eldin, N., & Allwright, S.P.A. , A qualitative study of the perceived impact of a community mobilisation intervention to reduce alcohol consumption among amateur sportsman, Psychology, Health & Medicine, Dublin, 2013
Agnew, J., Taaffe, M., Darker, C., O'Shea, B., & Clarke, J. , Delayed prescribing of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections: Use of information leaflets, Irish Medical Journal, 106, (8), 2013, p243 - 245
Barrett E, Darker C, Hussey J., Promotion of physical activity in primary care: knowledge and practice of general practitioners and physiotherapists, Journal of Public Health, 21, (1), 2013, p63 - 69
Apantaku-Olajide T, Darker CD, Smyth BP, Onset of Cocaine Use: Associated Alcohol Intoxication and Psychosocial Characteristics Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment., Journal of addiction medicine, 7, (3), 2013, p183 - 188
Redmond, P., Darker, C., McDonnell, M. & O'Shea, B. , Establishing a general practitioner led minor injury service: mixed methods evaluation at 10 months with an emphasis on use of radiology by GPs in the out-of- hours setting, Irish Journal of Medical Science, 182, (2), 2013, p213 - 216
What is the right model of universal health insurance for Ireland?. in, editor(s)Tom O'Connor , Integrated Care for Ireland in an International context: Challenges for Policy, Institutions & Specific Service User Needs., Cork, Ireland , Oak Tree Press , 2013, pp68 - 89, [Thomas S & Darker C. ]
Darker, C., Ivers, J., O'Farrell, A., Dolan, R., Eldin, N., & Allwright. , A qualitative study of the perceived impact of a community mobilisation intervention to reduce alcohol consumption among amateur sportsmen, Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 30, (1), 2013, p57 - 66
Doyle, F., & Darker, C.D., What can Health Psychology contribute to public health? , Institute of Public Health Open Conference, Dublin, 2013
French, DP., Darker, CD., Eves, FF., & Sniehotta, FF. , The systematic development of a brief intervention to increase walking in the general public using an "extended" Theory of Planned Behavior. , Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 10, (7), 2013, p940 - 948
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., Keenan, E., Whiston, L., Anderson, R., & Barry, J, Making it 'Dublin' and 'keeping it real': Development of a brief intervention for illicit drug use and alcohol use in Irish methadone maintained opiate dependent patients, Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference , Sligo , 2013
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Kelly, A., Smyth, B., & Barry, J. , Non-attendance at counselling therapy in cocaine-using methadone-maintained patients: lessons learnt from an abandoned randomised controlled trial, Irish Journal of Medical Sciences, 181, (1), 2012
Ducray D, Darker C, Smyth BP, Situational and psycho-social factors associated with relapse following detoxification in a population of Irish opioid dependent patients. , Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , 29, (2), 2012, p72 - 79
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Kelly, A., Smyth, B., and Barry, J. , Cognitive behavioural coping skills therapy in cocaine using methadone maintained patients: a pilot randomised controlled trial, Heroin Addiction & Related Clinical Problems, 14, (3), 2012, p101-110
Darker CD, Sweeney BP, Barry JM, Farrell MF., Psychosocial interventions for benzodiazepine harmful use, abuse or dependence (Protocol) , Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2, (CD009652), 2012
White A, O'Brien B, Houlihan T, Darker C, O'Shea B., Childhood obesity: parents fail to recognise, general practitioners fail to act., Irish Medical Journal, 105, (1), 2012, p7 - 10
Darker C, Martin C, O'Dowd T, O'Kelly F, O'Shea B., Chronic disease management in general practice: results from a national study., Irish Medical Journal, 105, (4), 2012, p102 - 105
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Smyth, B., Ivers, J., & Barry, J, Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in opiate dependent methadone maintained patients: results from an implementation study. , Drug & Alcohol Review, 31, (3), 2012, p348 - 356
Duffy, S., Darker, C., O'Shea, B., Conlon, T., & Hollywood, B. , New Developments in Service Delivery. Are GP led Sexual Health Clinics Acceptable and Satisfactory for Patients Attending?" , Irish Medical Journal, 104, (3), 2011, p71 - 73
Floyd, S., O'Shea, B. & Darker, C. , General practitioners experience in dietary counseling: poor access to deictic services., Irish Medical Journal, 104, (2), 2011, p59 - 60
Darker CD, Sweeney B, El Hassan H, Kelly A, O'Connor S, Smyth B, & Barry B., Non-attendance at counselling therapy in cocaine using methadone maintained patients: lessons learnt from an abandoned randomised controlled trial. , Psychology, Health & Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, 2011
Smyth, B.P., Darker, C., Donnelly-Swift, E., Barry, J.M., & Allwright, S.P. , A telephone survey of parental attitudes and behaviours regarding teenage drinking, BMC Public Health, 10, 2010, p297
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Smyth, B., Ivers, J.I. & Barry, J., Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in opiate dependent methadone maintained patients: results from an Irish cohort. , INEBRIA - International Network for Brief Interventions for Alcohol, 2010
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Smyth, B., Ivers, J.I. & Barry, J., Brief interventions are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in opiate dependent methadone maintained patients: results from an Irish cohort. , All Ireland Social Medicine Meeting , Belfast , 2010
Ryan J, Snow A, Darker C, Torreggiani W, Comparison of clinical outcomes from chest X-rays of smokers and non-smokers in a general practice population., Irish Medical Journal, 103, (3), 2010, p90 - 92
Darker, C., French, D.P., Eves, F.F., & Sniehotta, F.F. , An intervention to promote walking amongst the general population based on an 'extended' theory of planned behaviour: A waiting list randomised controlled trial , Psychology & Health, 25, (1), 2010, p71 - 88
McMahon, D., Darker, C., O'Shea, B., & Taaffe., The prescribing of contraception and emergency contraception to girls aged less than 16 - what are the views and beliefs of GPs and of parents? , Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, 16, (2), 2010, p91 - 96
Barry, J.M., Darker, C.D., Thomas, D.E., Allwright, S.P., & O'Dowd T. , Primary medical care in Irish prisons, BMC Health Services Research, 10, (74), 2010, p74 - 79
Darker, C., Sweeney, B., El Hassan, H., Smyth, B., Ivers, J.I. & Barry, J., Alcohol screening and brief intervention delivery to an Irish cohort if opiate dependent methadone maintained patients , INEBRIA - International Network for Brief Interventions for Alcohol , Newcastle, United Kingdom , 2009
Darker, C., & French, D.P. , What sense do people make of a theory of planned behaviour questionnaire?: a think-aloud study., Journal of Health Psychology, 14, (7), 2009, p861 - 871
Darker, C.D., French, D.P., Eves, F.F., Sniehotta, F.F., A theory of planned behaviour intervention to promote walking: A waiting list randomised controlled trial., European Health Psychology Society Annual Conference, Bath, UK, 2008
Darker, C., French, D.R., Longdon, S., Morris, K., & Eves, FF. , Are beliefs elicited biased by question order? A theory of planned behaviour belief elicitation study about walking in the UK general population., British Journal of Health Psychology, 12, (1), 2007, p93 - 110
Darker, C., Larkin, M., & French, D.P. , An exploration of walking behaviour--an interpretative phenomenological approach., Social Science & Medicine, 65, (10), 2007, p2172 - 2183
Darker, C., Intervention checklist - developing a comprehensive checklist to guide the design of interventions. , The European Health Psychologist , 8, (3), 2006, p10 - 11
Darker, C.D., French, D.P., & Eves, F.F., Instrumental and affective beliefs about walking in the general population: a theory of planned behaviour belief elicitation study. , European Health Psychology Society Annual Conference, National University of Ireland, Galway, 2005
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Gabriela M. Sorin, Catherine Darker , Lucy Whiston, Erica Donnelly-Swift, Joe Barry, Brendan D. Kelly, Physical and Mental Health in Post-Recession Ireland: A Community Study from Tallaght, Dublin, Meath Foundation , November, 2018, p1 - 14
Darker, C.D., Health Gathering - what changes to local health and social care services are important to residents in Tallaght? , Health Gathering, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin , 2016
Darker CD, Casey E, Seraukina T, Whiston L, & O'Shea B, The patients' perspective - a survey of chronic disease management in Ireland, Dublin, 2015
Darker C, Whiston L, O'Shea B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland: Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders- implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Dublin, Adelaide Health Foundation, 2015
Darker, C.D. & O'Shea, B, Chronic Disease Management in Ireland. Perspectives from patients and clinical stakeholders - implications and recommendations for the Irish healthcare system, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015
Darker, C.D., The Patients' Perspective - A Survey of Chronic Disease Management in Ireland, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2015
Darker CD, Whiston L, Long J, Donnelly-Swift E & Barry J, Health assets and needs assessment (HANA) in Tallaght, 2014, Dublin, 2015
Darker, C.D., Integrated healthcare in Ireland - a critical analysis and a way forward. , Integrated Care , Dublin, 2014
Darker, C.D., KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Health reforms - putting the patient (and the citizen?) at the centre of our care, The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Annual Conference, Dublin, 2014
Darker CD, Whiston L, Jordan S, Doogue R, Collins C, Ryan K & O'Shea, A national survey of chronic disease management by practice nurses in Ireland, Dublin, 2014
Darker, C.D., Universal healthcare for Ireland , Irish Medical Organisation meeting , Dublin, 2014
Darker CD, Bergin C, Walsh G, & O'Shea B, A national survey of chronic disease management by Irish hospital based consultants, Dublin, 2014
Darker, C.D., Contemporary Health Policy & Service Reforms - impact on Irish hospitals , The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Annual Conference , Dublin, 2014
Darker, C.D., Chronic illness - health policy, health services management and health psychology perspectives , IBD Nurses Clinical Educational Symposium , Dublin, 2013
Darker, C.D., Future Health: A Strategic Framework for the Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015, Adelaide Hospital Society Roundtable Meeting, Dublin, 2013
Darker, C. , Hospital Governance: Can medicine, ethics, the law, compassion and wisdom find common ground? , Conference Proceedings and Report , Dublin , Adelaide Health Policy Initiative, 2013
Darker CD, Integrated healthcare in Ireland - a critical analysis and a way forward. , Dublin, 2013
Darker, C.D., Why health & social equality is better for everyone (even the rich), TASC Annual Conference: Health Service Reform - the Government's First Year: What Progress? , Croke Park, Dublin , 2012
Darker C, Martin CM, O'Dowd TC, O'Kelly F, O'Kelly M, O'Shea B, A national survey of chronic disease management in Irish general practice, Dublin, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, TCD, June, 2011, p1 - 71
Darker, C.D., KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Health inequalities in Irish society and its impact on population health, Primary Care Social Workers Conference, Dublin, 2011
Research Expertise
Description
I lead on three themes across my research: Theme 1. Conduct of applied behavioural change research: My expertise encompasses the conduct of applied research aimed at addressing real-world health challenges. I design and execute studies that bridge the gap between theory and practice, generating actionable insights to inform policy and practice. This involves formulating research questions grounded in behavioural theory, designing robust study methodologies, and collecting and analysing data rigorously. I prioritise interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement to ensure research relevance and impact. Through my research, I contribute valuable knowledge to the field of public health and support evidence-informed decision-making at various levels (e.g., smoking cessation, alcohol, physical activity) for the general public, people with chronic illnesses and healthcare professionals. Theme 2. Evaluation of health programmes and services: I excel in evaluating health policies, programmes, and services to assess their effectiveness and impact. Utilising both qualitative and quantitative methods, I conduct rigorous evaluations to determine whether interventions, programmes and services achieve their intended outcomes. This includes measuring changes in behaviour, health outcomes, and equity indicators. I also assess implementation fidelity, identify barriers and facilitators to success, and provide recommendations for improvement. My evaluations contribute to evidence-based decision-making, informing the refinement of existing policies and the development of new initiatives. My research has directly shaped and influenced clinical practice and health policy. For example, the result of my HRB funded brief intervention trial has changed the treatment of patients attending methadone services in Ireland. I routinely influence theory development and measurement. For example, my research demonstrated that the measurement of a popular theory in health psychology (theory of planned behaviour) is problematic for respondents to engage with; this has subsequently changed how researchers design this type of questionnaire. I incorporate evidence based processes into routine health practice and policy. For example, my process evaluation of the National Clinical Care Programmes in Ireland is shaping the reconfiguration of these Programmes nationally. Theme 3. Health policy implementation: My expertise lies in advising on policy implementation with a focus on using implementation science principles, by systematically studying the process of integrating evidence-based interventions into real-world settings. I help to identify barriers and facilitators, tailors strategies to context, engage stakeholders, and monitor progress, ensuring effective implementation and sustained impact of policies in diverse healthcare environments. I am far surpassing the Research Metrics of FHS for Associate Professor (minimum score of 7 points over 4 year period) with a personal score of 36.5 over a 4 year period; even with two maternity leaves). I have attracted over 2.4 million Euros in research funding to date, as PI or Co-Applicant, including HRB, IRC & HSE grants. I have published extensively in leading health journals (N=102 overall; N=73 as senior author; h-index 20). I have been cited 1842 times. My research has extensive reach and impact having been reported widely in print and broadcast media. For example, in the Irish Times and on national RTE radio. As a research leader I contribute significantly to the research reputation of the School and the College. I am a College leader in engaged research through a constant focus on Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) within my research. I use PPI from the design stage, improving the relevancy of the research and increasing its societal impact. I have supervised five PhD students to completion.Projects
- Title
- Development of an evaluation (process and outcomes) Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework
- Summary
- A "Healthy Campus" has its roots in the `Okanagan Charter" which encourages higher educational institutional (HEIs) to integrate health and wellbeing into all aspects of campus life including policies, practices and the curriculum. In Ireland, the `Higher Education Healthy Campus Charter and Framework" is the national policy which describes Healthy Campuses. The aim of this project is to develop a Toolkit to support the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework in Ireland. This Toolkit will include process and outcome indicators; a self-review tool; and a set of resources to support HEIs in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework. The team is led by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with Munster Technological University, University College Cork and University of Limerick, which all have considerable experience with implementing `Healthy Campuses". Firstly, we will conduct a rapid review of existing self-assessment Tools which are in use internationally, which will identify indicative process and outcome indicators. We will engage, through a series of stakeholder meetings, with the HEA, and the Healthy Campus Network to determine their opinion of the potential usefulness of these process and outcome indicators. We will create a repository of resources from existing resources in use across the four applicant HEIs, alongside requesting example resources from across the Healthy Campus Network to be included in the repository. An e-learning technologist will develop the self-assessment Tool. This Tool will be piloted in each of the four applicant HEIs. The Tool will be modified based upon this pilot. The project will culminate in a workshop in which members of the Healthy Campus Network will be trained in how to use the self-assessment Tool.
- Funding Agency
- Higher Education Authority
- Date From
- 15.01.2024
- Date To
- 14.07.2024
- Title
- VISTA: VISion To Action for promoting mental health and recovery. An Implementation Science approach to "Sharing the Vision" - Ireland's national mental health policy.
- Summary
- Our proposal is focused on how recommendations within this policy can best be implemented. Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability globally. StV emphasises the importance of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and recognises the need for a whole of population approach. Our proposed research programme VISTA (Vision to Action for promoting Mental Health and Recovery) seeks to progress the translational "policy to practice" pathway of StV"s implementation plan through six work packages targeting overlapping domains (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). Theoretically informed by Implementation Science, VISTA aims to identify determinants to implementing StV and overcome these through the formulation of tailored implementation blueprints, inclusive of context responsive, feasible and acceptable strategies for the benefit of service users, their family members/carers, and supporters.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 01.12.2023
- Date To
- 01.03.2027
- Title
- Health Assets and Needs Assessment in Tallaght - Round 3
- Summary
- Aim: The aim of this study is to examine health assets and health needs in the Tallaght community through a repeat of the methodology employed in the 2002 Tallaght Health Needs Assessment and 2014 Health Assets and Needs Assessment to identify and map health assets in Tallaght. This will inform future health, social and community service planning and delivery prioritises. Objectives: 1. To assess current health needs, 2. To assess any changes in health needs and health assets in Tallaght since 2002 (Round 1) and 2014 (Round 2) surveys, 3. To identify and map any new health assets, 4. To establish the relationship of the community with these health assets, 5. To provide recommendations for health, social and community service planning and prioritisation relating to the health and wellbeing of the Tallaght community and its population. Research questions: 1. What are the current health needs of the Tallaght community? 2. How have the health assets and needs of the Tallaght community changed over the past eight years? 3. What relationship does the community have with these health assets? 4. How has community social capital changed within the Tallaght community?
- Funding Agency
- Health Services Executive and Adelaide Health Foundation
- Date From
- 20th September 2023
- Date To
- 19th September 2024
- Title
- Recruitment of adolescent girls into physical activity programmes: evidence to inform recruitment strategies for programme developers and policymakers.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council
- Date From
- 01.09.2023
- Date To
- 31.08.2026
- Title
- Creating an evidence-based toolbox for targeted public health interventions during COVID-19: a cross-border analysis to disentangle psychological, behavioural, media and governmental responses
- Summary
- COVID-19 represents a serious challenge to governments and healthcare systems. In addition to testing/contact tracing, behavioural (e.g., hand washing) and social responses (e.g., social distancing/cocooning) are the most effective tools for mitigating the spread of the disease. Psychological (e.g., risk perceptions, self-efficacy) and contextual factors (government, public health messaging etc.) are likely to drive these behaviours. Collated real time information of these indicators strengthens local, national and international public health advice and messaging. Further, the degree to which public health and government messages and measures are understood, communicated via (social) media and adhered to are vital. In addition, on the island of Ireland there are two different governments and public health jurisdictions (Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI)). This represents a unique opportunity to explore the implications of differing measures and messaging across these two jurisdictions as they relate to COVID-19 on two similar populations. The expert research team are drawn from a broad range of disciplines in the ROI and NI. This project has four nested studies: 1. We will assess key behavioural, social and psychological factors through a large, prospective representative telephone survey of individuals aged over-18 on a weekly basis over eight weeks (n=3072); plus qualitative focus groups. 2. We will interrogate social media messaging and formal media responses in both jurisdictions to investigate the spread of (mis)information. 3. We will model data from Studies 1 and 2, plotting the psychosocial/behavioural and media messaging information with incidence and mortality data. 4. We will conduct an assessment of health policy transfer in an attempt to incorporate the most significant public health and political insights from each jurisdiction. An evidence-based toolbox for targeting of public health messaging and political leadership will be created for use for the anticipated October wave of COVID-19, and subsequently for future epidemics/pandemics.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 21.05.2020
- Date To
- 20.11.2020
- Title
- Process evaluation of 'Early Intervention in Psychosis' new model of care.
- Summary
- The primary aim of this research is to conduct a process evaluation to understand how best to implement a new model of care relating to EIP within an existing mental health system. We conceptualise this research to focus on the interaction between three objectives: context, implementation and mechanism: 1. Context " to describe the contexts in which the MoC was delivered and explore contextual factors that may influence the delivery the intervention. This provides evidence about `real world" feasibility of delivering this model in demonstration sites and will enable findings to be transferred to other sites. 2. Implementation " to document how the MoC was implemented and the extent to which it was implemented as intended over time and across the three demonstration sites. This will include an assessment of the degree to which essential elements were delivered (fidelity, dose, adaptations, reach). This allows us to see implementation successes or failures that may affect EIP delivery and potential future outcomes. 3. Mechanisms of impact " how people (patients, family members/carers, HSE clinical staff, HSE management) participated in and responded to the MoC. A description of intentional and unintentional differences in delivery, and the contextual characteristics that mediate this relationship will be given.
- Funding Agency
- Health Service Executive
- Title
- A conduct a cluster randomised pilot trial of a community-based smoking cessation intervention for women in disadvantaged areas of Ireland.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Title
- To conduct a process evaluation of the National Clinical Care Programmes.
- Funding Agency
- Health Service Executive
- Date From
- 1st September 2016
- Date To
- 31st May 2017
- Title
- A peer-to-peer motivational interview intervention for smoking, alcohol and physical activity among at-risk adolescents in low SES communities: A feasibility trial.
- Funding Agency
- Medical Research Charities Group and Health Research Board
- Date From
- 1st March 2017
- Date To
- 28th February 2020
- Title
- Design, implementation and evaluate a pilot physical activity project to reduce sedentary behaviour for staff in workplaces in Tallaght.
- Funding Agency
- Trinity College Dublin
- Title
- A pilot physical activity project for workplaces in Tallaght and also to determine the feasibility of community based physical activity in Tallaght.
- Funding Agency
- Health Service Executive
- Title
- To conduct secondary analysis on the Health Assets and Needs Assessment in Tallaght, specifically, to identify a combination of health assets that are most likely to lead to higher levels of health in the Tallaght community, with residents as co-producers of health.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Title
- Patient and family participation in healthcare design and delivery from a mental and physical healthcare perspective.
- Funding Agency
- Irish Research Council
- Title
- A Health Assets and Needs Assessment in Tallaght.
- Funding Agency
- Adelaide Health Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital
- Title
- Screening and brief interventions for illicit drug and alcohol use in methadone maintained opiate dependent patients: a cluster randomised controlled trial feasibility study.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 1st September 2012
- Date To
- 31st August 2014
- Title
- Cochrane Systematic Review examining the evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for benzodiazepine abuse or dependence.
- Funding Agency
- Health Research Board
- Date From
- 1st September 2010
- Date To
- 31st December 2012
- Title
- A comprehensive Health Needs Assessment of female drug users in Dublin North Inner City.
- Funding Agency
- Health Service Executive and Department of Health and Children and Women's Health Council
- Date From
- September 2009
- Date To
- October 2010
Recognition
Representations
Chair and Judge - BT Young Scientist Exhibition
Trinity representative - Healthy County Committee (South Dublin)
Irish Platform for Patient's Organisations, Science and Industry (IPPOSI)(Board Member)
Expert Committee on Prevention, Irish Cancer Society (Committee member)
Healthy Ireland (Council Member)
HEI HSE National Standard Undergraduate Curriculum for chronic disease prevention and management (Steering Group member)
Department of Health, National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (subcommittee member of Treatment, Rehabilitation and Consequences, plus Research Advisory Group)
Expert Committee on Health Inequalities, Irish Cancer Society (Committee Member)
TASC Group on Health Inequalities (Committee member)
Health Reform Alliance (Chair; Ordinary Committee Member)
Reviewer for the following journals, inter alia: BMJ Open, BMC Public Health, BMC Health Services Research, BMC Family Practice, Health Policy, International Journal of Integrated Care, Health Psychology Review, Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy,
Council member - Psychological Society of Ireland
Honorary Secretary - Psychological Society of Ireland
Chair of Division of Health Psychology - Psychological Society of Ireland
Honorary Treasurer, Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland
Chair of Standing Committee on Psychometric Testing - Psychological Society of Ireland
Scientific Committee - Psychology, Health & Medicine Conference
Scientific Committee - International Foundation for Integrated Care Conference
Awards and Honours
Dean's Award for Innovation in Teaching 2016
Nominated for Provosts Teaching Award 2018-2019
Memberships
Cochrane International Collaboration
Psychological Society of Ireland (Registered Member 2009-2011) (Chartered Member 2011 - present)
British Psychological Society (Full member 2008-2016) (Associate Fellow 2017 - present)
European Health Psychology Society (Full Member)