Patricia Hunt

Dr. Patricia Hunt is a Lecturer in General Nursing at the Department of Nursing and Healthcare at South East Technological University (SETU). With a clinical background in cancer and palliative care, she holds senior nursing roles internationally and lectures across nursing programs. Her research focuses on cancer workforce well-being, empathy, and emotional intelligence, alongside current studies on high-grade brain tumor patients' physical health and dance interventions for breast cancer survivors. She supervises one PhD student and actively collaborates with clinical cancer nurses nationally.

Education:

• PhD (2014–2021): Examined professional quality of life in cancer healthcare professionals at SETU.
• Postgraduate Diploma (2004–2006): University of Surrey.
• Masters Degree (1997–1999): Focused on lung cancer patient experiences at University of Surrey.

Research Interests:

• Palliative care challenges and energy hardship in healthcare.
• Empathy dynamics among healthcare professionals.
• Exercise-based interventions for cancer survivors.

Professional Roles:

• Secretary and Academic Representative, Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology (IANO) National Executive Committee.
• Member of South-East IANO Network.
• External Examiner at University of East Anglia.

Grants & Partnerships: Collaborations with Solas and SETU, HSE National Cancer Control Programme, and involvement in national policy development for cancer care guidelines.

Lab/Teams: Engages with multidisciplinary teams in exercise oncology and palliative care initiatives, including the DEISE project and ExWell Medical MoveOn Programme.