Professor Patrick Gillespie

Professor of Health Economics and Director of the Health Economics & Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC)

J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway

Health Economics; Health Technology Assessment

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Prof Paddy Gillespie

Paddy is a health economist whose research interests and activities are focused on the application of the techniques of health economic evaluation and health technology assessment to inform health policy and healthcare practice. 

Health economics is one key contributor to the multidisciplinary health services research ecosystem and Paddy engages on multiple multidisciplinary research initiatives and projects as health economics lead for the Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland (HRB PCCTNI), Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI), the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network Ireland (HRB DCCT-N-I), and the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM). 

Paddy's work contributes to these SDGs

SDG 3,8,9,16,17

Paddy is Director of the Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC), it's aim is to develop, apply and teach methods for the economic analysis of health and health care. 

The Health Economics and Policy Analysis Centre (HEPAC) is located in the Institute for the Lifecourse and Society (ILAS) at the University of Galway. The Centre is part of the research network at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics. HEPAC have extensive links with clinical and social science researchers at the University of Galway, as well as being engaged in active collaborations with colleagues in national and international organisations.

Researchers at HEPAC are currently applying health economic methods to explore a range of research questions relating to global challenges, sustainable development goals, and public policy needs. While the research is mainly of an applied nature with an emphasis on peer-reviewed academic output, members of HEPAC also engage and contribute to policy formulation in a range of areas at national and international level. Current research projects include those funded by agencies such as the Health Research Board, Science Foundation Ireland, and industry partners.

Key Target: 3.B - Support research, development and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines

Paddy's teaching is focused on delivering health economics modules at undergraduate level and at postgraduate level on the University of Galway's MSc in Health Economics programme. This is the largest such taught Masters programme in Ireland, which introduces the student to the theoretical principles and practical techniques of economic analysis which are applied to inform health policy and health care decision-making within the evolving global context of technological development, population ageing, rising healthcare costs and changing patient preferences and expectations. In particular, the programme seeks to equip students with the tools to examine individual behaviours and decision making with respect to health and health care, to explore alternative systems of health care finance and delivery, and to apply economic evaluation, preference elicitation and econometric techniques to inform health care resource allocation.

Beyond Galway, Paddy has delivered bespoke health economics training workshops for the HRB Trials Methodology Research Network, BioInnovate, and Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI).

SDG 3

Teaching

EC345 Health Economics (Undergraduate)

The aim of the module is to introduce undergraduate students to the concepts and methods used by economists to explore questions relating to health and health care. The course is designed to give students a comprehensive grounding in the theory and practice of health economics.

EC584 Health Economic Evaluation (Postgraduate)

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the concepts and methods of health economic evaluation, which is applied to assess the value or cost effectiveness of health technologies and/or health care interventions. 

Focused on Targets 3.B - Support research, development and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines 8.4 - Improve resource efficiency in consumption and production

Applied Heath Technology Assessment and Decision Modelling (Postgraduate)

This module introduces and examines the practical methods for conducting health economic evaluation to assess the value of health technologies and/or healthcare interventions. 

Focused on Targets 3.B - Support research, development and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines 8.4 - Improve resource efficiency in consumption and productio

Engagement

Paddy's research work aims to produce independent, high-quality research with the objective of informing health policies and clinical practices that promote societal health and wellbeing, achieve a sustainable health economy, and promote social progress. Paddy is health economics lead for several research networks that seek to inform clinical practice including the Primary Care Clinical Trials Network Ireland (HRB PCCTNI), Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI), and the Diabetes Collaborative Clinical Trial Network Ireland (HRB DCCT-N-I). His work with the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM) involves the health economic analysis of medical device technologies. This work focuses directly on generating the evidence base to support the implementation of new and innovative MedTech interventions in clinical practice settings.

woman inside laboratory

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

Direct impact SDG Targets

3.4 - Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health

3.8 - Achieve universal health coverage

3.B - Support research, development and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines

8.1 - Sustainable economic growth

8.4 - Improve resource efficiency in consumption and production

9.B - Support domestic technology development and industrial diversification

9.C - Universal access to information and communications technology

16.7 - Ensure responsive, inclusive and representative decision-making

17.18 - Enhance availability of reliable data

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Current Trial-Based Health Economic Evaluation Projects

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA - Examining the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of a Work and Cancer self-management programme to support women with breast cancer to return to work (Principal Investigator: Professor Deirdre Connolly, Trinity College Dublin)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA  Medicines and SocIal Prescribing to aDdress pAtient priorities in multimorbidity (MIDAS): A multi-arm definitive cluster randomised trial in Irish general practice (Principal Investigator: Professor Susan Smith, Trinity College Dublin)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA - The D1 Now intervention to improve outcomes in young adults living with type 1 diabetes: A definitive cluster randomised controlled trial (Principal Investigator: Professor Sean Dinneen, University of Galway)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA - SalT supplementation in Older adults with Orthostatic intolerance Disorders (STOOD): a phase IIa randomised controlled trial of sodium supplementation in those consuming moderate salt intake (Principal Investigator: Professor Andrew Smyth, University of Galway)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA - Community Risk-Based Monitoring for Atrial Fibrillation Trial (CRAFT) (Principal Investigator: Professor Martin O'Donnell, University of Galway)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board DIFA - A randomised controlled trial of metformin in addition to usual care in the management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (Principal Investigator: Professor Fidelma Dunne, University of Galway)

Co-Applicant on Health Research Board Primary Care Clinical Trial¿s Network - GP-delivered medication review of polypharmacy, deprescribing, and patient priorities in older people with multimorbidity in Irish primary care (SPPiRE Study): A cluster randomised controlled trial (Principal Investigator: Professor Susan Smith, Trinity College Dublin)

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Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

Photo by Carlos Muza on Unsplash

Research

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Photo by Daniel Zbroja on Unsplash

Photo by Daniel Zbroja on Unsplash

Featured Publications

References

SDGs

Walsh, S. and Gillespie, P., 2023. Exploring the link between Multimorbidity and direct healthcare costs in Ireland: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity, 13, p.26335565231219421.

SDG 3.3, 3.8, 3.d

Rabbitt, L., Curneen, J., Hobbins, A., Browne, D., Joyce, M., Lappin, D., McEvoy, J.W., Gillespie, P. and Dennedy, M.C., 2024. A cost-analysis of managing secondary and apparent treatment-resistant hypertension in a specialist multidisciplinary hypertension clinic. Journal of Hypertension, 42(1), pp.58-69.

SDG 3.4, 3.8, 3.d, SDG 9.5

Gillespie, P., Cullinan, J., O'Neill, C. and 1 more (...) (2013).Modeling the independent effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on maternity care and costs. Diabetes Care,36(5) 1111-1116

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Noctor, E., Crowe, C., Carmody, L.A. and 9 more (...) (2016).Abnormal glucose tolerance post-gestational diabetes mellitus as defined by the International Association of diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. European Journal of Endocrinology,175(4) 287-297

SDG 3

Noctor, E., Crowe, C., Carmody, L.A. and 10 more (...) (2013).ATLANTIC DIP: Simplifying the follow-up of women with previous gestational diabetes. European Journal of Endocrinology,169(5) 681-687

SDG 3

Cullinan, J., Gillespie, P. (2016).Does Overweight and Obesity Impact on Self-Rated Health? Evidence Using Instrumental Variables Ordered Probit Models. Health Economics (United Kingdom),25(10) 1341-1348

SDG 3

Danyliv, A., Gillespie, P., O'Neill, C. and 6 more (...) (2015).Short- and long-term effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on healthcare cost: A cross-sectional comparative study in the ATLANTIC DIP cohort. Diabetic Medicine,32(4) 467-476

SDG 3

Doherty, E., Queally, M., Cullinan, J. and 1 more (...) (2017).The impact of childhood overweight and obesity on healthcare utilisation. Economics and Human Biology,2784-92

SDG 3

Infanti, J.J., Dunne, F.P., O'Dea, A. and 6 more (...) (2013).An evaluation of Croí MyAction community lifestyle modification programme compared to standard care to reduce progression to diabetes/pre-diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials,14(1) 

SDG 3

Raymakers, A.J.N., Gillespie, P., O'Hara, M.C. and 2 more (...) (2018).Factors influencing health-related quality of life in patients with Type 1 diabetes. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes,16(1) 

SDG 3

Danyliv, A., Gillespie, P., O’Neill, C. and 5 more (...) (2016).The cost-effectiveness of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary and secondary care in the Republic of Ireland. Diabetologia,59(3) 436-444

SDG 3

Murphy, P.J., Sharry, J.M., Casey, D. and 9 more (...) (2016).Sexual counselling for patients with cardiovascular disease: Protocol for a pilot study of the CHARMS sexual counselling intervention. BMJ Open,6(6) 

SDG 3

Danyliv, A., Gillespie, P., O'Neill, C. and 6 more (...) (2015).Health related quality of life two to five years after gestational diabetes mellitus: Cross-sectional comparative study in the ATLANTIC DIP cohort. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth,15(1) 

SDG 3

Gillespie, P., O'Shea, E., O'Hara, M.C. and 52 more (...) (2014).Cost effectiveness of group follow-up after structured education for type 1 diabetes: A cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials,15(1) 

SDG 3

O'Dea, A., Infanti, J.J., Gillespie, P. and 6 more (...) (2014).Screening uptake rates and the clinical and cost effectiveness of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in primary versus secondary care: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials,15(1) 

SDG 3

Murphy, P.J., Noone, C., D’Eath, M. and 13 more (...) (2018).The CHARMS pilot study: A multi-method assessment of the feasibility of a sexual counselling implementation intervention in cardiac rehabilitation in Ireland. Pilot and Feasibility Studies,4(1) 

SDG 3| SDG 5

Byrne, P., Cullinan, J., Gillespie, P. and 2 more (...) (2019).Statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Modelling guidelines and patient preferences based on an Irish cohort. British Journal of General Practice,69(683) E373-E380

SDG 3

Mc Morrow, L., O’ Hara, M.C., Hynes, L. and 12 more (...) (2018).The preferences of young adults with Type 1 diabetes at clinics using a discrete choice experiment approach: the D1 Now Study. Diabetic Medicine,35(12) 1686-1692

SDG 3

Gillespie, P., O'Shea, E., Smith, S.M. and 2 more (...) (2016).A comparison of medical records and patient questionnaires as sources for the estimation of costs within research studies and the implications for economic evaluation. Family Practice,33(6) 733-739

SDG 3

Kgosidialwa, O., Bogdanet, D., Egan, A.M. and 25 more (...) (2021).A core outcome set for the treatment of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes: an international consensus study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,128(11) 1855-1868

SDG 3

Murphy, M.E., McSharry, J., Byrne, M. and 5 more (...) (2020).Supporting care for suboptimally controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus in general practice with a clinical decision support system: A mixed methods pilot cluster randomised trial. BMJ Open,10(2) 

SDG 3

Donnelly, N.-A., Sexton, E., Merriman, N.A. and 6 more (...) (2020).The prevalence of cognitive impairment on admission to nursing home among residents with and without stroke: A cross–sectional survey of nursing homes in ireland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,17(19) 1-10

SDG 3

Casey, B., Byrne, M., Casey, D. and 5 more (...) (2020).Improving Outcomes Among Young Adults with type 1 diabetes: The D1 Now Randomised Pilot Study Protocol. Diabetic Medicine,37(9) 1590-1604

SDG 3

Gillespie, P., Murphy, E., Smith, S.M. and 3 more (...) (2017).Long-term cost effectiveness of cardiac secondary prevention in primary care in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. European Journal of Health Economics,18(3) 321-335

SDG 3

Murphy, A.W., Cupples, M.E., Murphy, E. and 7 more (...) (2015).Six-year follow-up of the SPHERE RCT: Secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice. BMJ Open,5(11) 

SDG 3

Doherty, G., Manktelow, M., Skelly, B. and 3 more (...) (2022).The Need for Standardizing Diagnosis, Treatment and Clinical Care of Cholecystitis and Biliary Colic in Gallbladder Disease. Medicina (Lithuania),58(3) 

SDG 3

Dunne, F., Newman, C., Devane, D. and 5 more (...) (2022).A randomised placebo-controlled trial of the effectiveness of early metformin in addition to usual care in the reduction of gestational diabetes mellitus effects (EMERGE): study protocol. Trials,23(1) 

SDG 3

Raymakers, A.J.N., Gillespie, P., Murphy, E. and 6 more (...) (2018).Patient reported health status and all-cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Family Practice,35(2) 172-178

SDG 3

Murphy, M.E., Byrne, M., Boland, F. and 4 more (...) (2018).Supporting general practitioner-based care for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (the DECIDE study): Feasibility study and protocol for a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies,4(1) 

SDG 3

Friel, K.M., Gillespie, P., Coates, V. and 6 more (...) (2022).Estimating and examining the costs of inpatient diabetes care in an Irish Public Hospital. Diabetic Medicine,39(4) 

SDG 3

Cole, J.A., Gillespie, P., Smith, S.M. and 3 more (...) (2014).Using Postal questionnaires to evaluate physical activity and diet behaviour change: Case Study exploring implications of valid responder characteristics in interpreting intervention outcomes. BMC Research Notes,7(1) 

SDG 3| SDG 8

Gallagher, D., Jordan, V., Gillespie, P. and 2 more (...) (2014).Distance as a risk factor for amputation in patients with diabetes: A case-control study. Irish Medical Journal,107(4) 

SDG 3

Carty, P.G., Fawsitt, C.G., Gillespie, P. and 5 more (...) (2022).Population-Based Testing for Undiagnosed Hepatitis C: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy,20(2) 171-183

SDG 3

Sharma, S., Gillespie, P., Hobbins, A. and 1 more (...) (2022).Estimating the cost of type 1 diabetes in Ireland. Diabetic Medicine,39(5) 

SDG 3

Finucane, E.M., Biesty, L., Murphy, D. and 10 more (...) (2021).Feasibility study protocol of a pragmatic, randomised controlled pilot trial: membrane sweeping to prevent post-term pregnancy—the MILO Study. Trials,22(1) 

SDG 3

Morrissey, E.C., Byrne, M., Casey, B. and 9 more (...) (2022).Improving outcomes among young adults with type 1 diabetes: the D1 Now pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies,8(1) 

SDG 3

Gillespie, P., Walsh, S., Cullinan, J. and 1 more (...) (2019).An analysis of antenatal care pathways to mode of birth in Ireland. Economic and Social Review,50(2) 391-427

SDG 3

Carty, P.G., Teljeur, C., De Gascun, C.F. and 6 more (...) (2022).Another Step Toward Hepatitis C Elimination: An Economic Evaluation of an Irish National Birth Cohort Testing Program. Value in Health,25(12) 1947-1957

SDG 3

Dunne, F., Newman, C., Alvarez-Iglesias, A. and 15 more (...) (2023).Early Metformin in Gestational Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA,330(16) 1547-1556

SDG 3

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