Caragh Behan

Dr. Caragh Behan is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) since September 2020. Her academic career is complemented by clinical expertise in general adult psychiatry, with particular affiliation with the DETECT early intervention for psychosis service in Dublin. Dr. Behan holds a PhD in Health Economics from University College Dublin (2012-2017) and completed her medical training at RCSI (1992-1998), where she earned her MB Bao Bch LRCPI and SI degree. She further obtained her MRCPsych from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2003-2005) and MRCS from RCSI (2001-2003), along with multiple diplomas including Health Economics, Medical Education, and Family Therapy.

Dr. Behan's research interests span several interconnected domains within psychiatry and mental health. Her primary focus is on early intervention in psychosis, where she has conducted extensive health economic evaluations comparing different service models in real-world settings. She has made significant contributions to understanding the physical health comorbidities associated with serious mental illness, particularly metabolic risks and mortality patterns. Dr. Behan also has expertise in meditation and mindfulness practices, which she applies to both clinical practice and research, especially regarding their benefits during crisis situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work on migration and psychosis risk has provided valuable insights into demographic variations in mental health outcomes. Additionally, she has published extensively on antipsychotic medication patterns, service delivery models, and compassionate healthcare approaches.

Analysis of Dr. Behan's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of impactful research focused on improving mental healthcare delivery and outcomes. Her work demonstrates a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, particularly in early intervention services for psychosis. The recurring themes across her publications include health economics evaluations, physical-mental health integration, service model innovations, and compassionate care approaches. Notably, her recent work shows an increasing focus on mindfulness practices and compassion in healthcare, culminating in her co-authorship of the 2025 'Handbook of Compassion in Healthcare: A Practical Approach.' Her research has demonstrated significant clinical impact, including reduced hospital admissions through early intervention programs and improved physical health outcomes for people with psychosis.

Dr. Behan has been actively involved in teaching and supervision across multiple institutions. At RCSI since 2020, she served as the psychiatry representative for THEP II implementation, responsible for vertical and horizontal integration of psychiatry into years 1 and 2 and year 4 of the curriculum. She has co-developed Patient Simulated Scenarios for psychiatry and led Student Choice Modules in years 1 and 2 focusing on compassionate healthcare and professionalism. Her teaching experience spans from 2007 to present, including large group lecturing for medical students at University College Dublin and the College of Psychiatry in Ireland, as well as specialized teaching in health economics at the Institute of Public Administration and mindfulness training through Breathworks.

Dr. Behan's research has been supported by grants including HRB-funded projects and the RCSI-funded 'Cannabis related transitions to a diagnosis of schizophrenia' project (2022-2024). Her work has had significant impact across multiple domains: clinically through interventions improving physical health outcomes for people with psychosis; in policy through economic evaluations informing service planning for early intervention in psychosis; in scholarly influence through numerous peer-reviewed publications that have shaped international literature; and in advocacy through promoting compassionate care approaches in healthcare systems. She has served on the Clinical Advisory Group of the College of Psychiatry of Ireland and the HSE (2015-2018), working on the formation of the model of care for the National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis.