What is your name and where do you live?
My name is Caroline Treanor and I live in Dublin, which is the capital city of Ireland. I live in a Dublin suburb close to the seaside. I am fortunate to live close to my parents and within cycling distance of my workplace in Beaumont Hospital.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a clinical specialist physiotherapist in the Irish National Neurosurgical Service in Beaumont Hospital, which is a large Dublin academic teaching hospital. I am also an Honorary Clinical Lecturer and Professional Doctorate Candidate in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. I studied to be a Physiotherapist in the University of Manchester and completed an MSc in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy in University College Dublin. I am a very proud wife and mum of a 7 year old boy. We love to travel as a family and the highlight of my year is our annual summer adventure.
What is your role at Myelopathy.org?
I am delighted to say that I have been involved in the RECODE-DCM process since 2019 when I participated in one of the first Delphi consensus studies and priority setting partnerships which sought to identify the top 10 research priorities in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM). I am currently a member of the RECODE-DCM steering committee and a very proud member of the Rehabilitation Incubator.
Why did you get involved with Myelopathy.org?
I have worked in the Irish National Neurosurgical service since 2008. I have had the privilege of being involved in the clinical care of large numbers of people with DCM during this time. I have witnessed at first hand the devastating consequences of delayed diagnosis and have been frustrated in the past by the limited research which exists to help guide the clinical care of people with DCM. As a physiotherapist, I am particularly interested in rehabilitation and the potential of physical rehabilitation to improve the outcome of people with DCM. I am also particularly interested in the translation of research knowledge into clinical practice. Through my involvement in Myelopathy.org, my understanding of DCM has grown exponentially. This has had an incredibly positive impact on my clinical practice and the pathway of care for people with DCM attending the service in which I work.
How did you hear about Myelopathy.org?
My first exposure to Myelopathy.org was when I attended the research priority setting partnership in New York in 2019 and had the pleasure of meeting Dr Benjamin Davies, Dr Mark Kotter, Iwan Saddler and a number of other people with DCM who were involved in the charity.
What has your experience been like with Myelopathy.org?
I have really enjoyed the experience of working with such an exceptional international community of clinicians, researchers and people with DCM who are committed to driving knowledge discovery in the field of DCM. It is incredible to see the pace of progress and the momentum that has developed over the last 4 years. It is incredibly exciting to be involved in a team which has the potential to deliver real substantive change to the clinical care and outcomes of people with DCM globally.
What do you do when you are not working at Myelopathy.org?
I work in the neurosurgical consultant clinics in the Irish National Neurosurgical Service in an advanced practice capacity where I manage spinal referrals to the National Neurosurgical Service under the governance of a consultant neurosurgeon. I also rehabilitate people with complex spinal problems or people who have had spinal surgery in our unit. My role also involves research, clinical education and service development and in my spare time I am studying for a professional doctorate!
What do you do during your spare time?
As a typical physiotherapist, I enjoy all types of exercise but particularly tennis. I also enjoy listening to music and going to concerts and always try and squeeze at least one music festival into my calendar every year!
Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself.
- I have represented Ireland in downhill skiing at the winter olympics. (lie… I am currently nursing a knee injury from falling off a ski lift!!)
- I think I am the best singer in my family.
- When I travel, I am known for getting my languages confused and speak a language that I like to refer to as “European”.