Breath work
A Respiratory Medicine podcast for busy respiratory nerds who want to keep up-to-date with the constantly evolving world of the lung. Every month we speak with respiratory experts on their areas of special interest.
Our goal is to provide YOU with interactive and easy to listen to clinical updates. We will cover presentation, clinical reasoning, diagnostics and treatments but also new and exciting changes coming down the line. Delivered at a time convenient to you in 20-30 minute episodes.
Inspire
Meet your Respiratory Medicine heroes and hear how they got to where they are today. There are now more people than ever working in the respiratory medicine sphere. In this podcast we speak to Physicians, scientists, nurses, physiologists and more. We learn about their career paths to date, how they have achieved such success and advice for others hoping to follow suit. Some of these discussions are profession specific, but much of the advice is applicable to anyone trying to progress in their career.
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Inspire (Part 4) Mastering Medical Meetings: Strategies for Effective Communication and Leadership with Sarah Geraghty
lundi 22 juin 2026 • Durée 27:34
This episode features insights from healthcare communication expert Sarah Geraghty, who shares proven frameworks and practical tips on crafting clear agendas, managing time effectively, and delivering purposeful meetings. Her insights help professionals across sectors elevate their meetings to be most effective. If you’re committed to making your meetings matter—or simply want to reclaim time, reduce stress, and foster a culture of clarity—this episode is essential listening.
In this episode:
The crucial role of purpose and clear objectives for every gathering
How to craft and circulate agendas in advance to prep participants effectively
Strategies for keeping meetings on track—even when personalities and time pressures threaten to derail progress
Techniques to empower less confident voices and build inclusive, psychologically safe environments
The importance of ending with clear actions, owners, and timelines—so nothing slips through the cracks
Guest
Sarah Geraghty is Head of Careers at the Communications Clinics, specialising in preparing for high-stakes interviews and career transitions. A seasoned communication trainer and coach, she combines practical storytelling and leadership development to help candidates articulate their value. With a rich background in journalism and editorial work—including contributions to the Irish Times and The Journal, and experience as Assistant Editor of Gloss Magazine—she brings real-world insight into how healthcare professionals can perform under pressure.
Hosts
Marissa O’Callaghan is an Irish trained Respiratory fellow currently undertaking a post-doc fellow working in Erasmus MC Rotterdam in the Netherlands. She finished her Irish respiratory and Internal medicine training and Phd in 2025. Her areas of interest are interstitial and rare lung diseases. She enjoys clinical research, Med Ed, and dreaming up new medical innovations. Together with cohost Sandra Green, she founded the ITS podcast series in June 2024.
Sandra Green is an Irish-trained respiratory doctor with a strong track record in climate advocacy and multidisciplinary sustainable initiatives, as co-founder of Irish Doctors for the Environment. She has an MSc in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (2023–2025. With Marisssa, she co-founded the Irish Thoracic Society Podcast Productions, launching a platform in 2024 to share knowledge, insights, and innovations in respiratory care.
Chapters
0:04 Introduction to Breathwork
0:37 Importance of Meetings in Healthcare
1:06 Effective Meeting Communication
1:28 Rapid Fire Tips for Meetings
1:56 Listening vs. Speaking in Meetings
2:25 Purpose and Objectives of Meetings
3:41 Structured vs. Informal Meetings
5:32 Role of the Chair in Meetings
7:28 Time Management in Meetings
9:48 Encouraging Participation
11:43 Setting the Meeting Culture
13:29 Challenges of Meeting Overruns
15:24 Engaging Junior Members
17:41 Psychological Safety in Meetings
19:37 Final Tips for Effective Meetings
26:37 Closing and Future Plans
27:26 Credits and Contact Information
Resources & Links:
Sarah Geraghty - LinkedIn https://ie.linkedin.com/in/sarah-geraghty-comms
The Communication Clinic https://www.communicationsclinic.ie/
Inspire (Part 3) From Inbox Chaos to Clarity – Smarter Email Communication in Healthcare with Sarah Geraghty
dimanche 7 juin 2026 • Durée 38:24
In this episode, communication expert Sarah Geraghty uncovers the hidden impact of email habits on healthcare efficiency and patient safety. Discover how precise, purpose-driven emails can save time, reduce stress, and enhance collaboration. Learn practical strategies like the ‘BLUF’ framework and effective subject line structuring to transform your inbox chaos into streamlined communication. Perfect for clinicians and administrators eager to improve their email etiquette and workflow.
In this episode:
The ‘BLUF’ (Bottom Line Up Front) framework that ensures your emails are clear and effective, no matter the audience
How to structure subject lines and content for maximum impact—without coming across as too formal or too casual
The essential mindset shift: treating emails as strategic tools that require dedicated focus, not ongoing background noise
Practical methods to manage post-holiday inboxes, follow-ups, and group emails
The environmental and legal considerations around storing and sending emails—and why fewer, more meaningful messages are better for everyone
Guest
Sarah Geraghty is Head of Careers at the Communications Clinics, specialising in preparing for high-stakes interviews and career transitions. A seasoned communication trainer and coach, she combines practical storytelling and leadership development to help candidates articulate their value. With a rich background in journalism and editorial work—including contributions to the Irish Times and The Journal, and experience as Assistant Editor of Gloss Magazine—she brings real- world insight into how healthcare professionals can perform under pressure.
Hosts
Marissa O’Callaghan is an Irish trained Respiratory fellow currently undertaking a post-doc fellow working in Erasmus MC Rotterdam in the Netherlands. She finished her Irish respiratory and Internal medicine training and Phd in 2025. Her areas of interest are interstitial and rare lung diseases. She enjoys clinical research, Med Ed, and dreaming up new medical innovations. Together with cohost Sandra Green, she founded the ITS podcast series in June 2024.
Sandra Green is an Irish-trained respiratory doctor with a strong track record in climate advocacy and multidisciplinary sustainable initiatives, as co-founder of Irish Doctors for the Environment. She has an MSc in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (2023–2025. With Marisssa, she co-founded the Irish Thoracic Society Podcast Productions, launching a platform in 2024 to share knowledge, insights, and innovations in respiratory care.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Overview of email's role in healthcare
00:28 – Email Overload: The impact of email volume on clinicians
01:21 – Communication Challenges: How poor email practices affect patient safety
01:50 – Rapid Fire Tips: Quick advice on email efficiency
02:42 – When to Call: Choosing between email and phone communication
03:10 – Post-Holiday Inbox: Strategies for managing a full inbox
04:22 – Email Anxiety: Dealing with email-related stress
06:37 – Global Email Statistics: The scale of email communication worldwide
07:31 – Why Emails Matter: The importance of email in healthcare
08:57 – Effective Use: Making emails impactful and efficient
09:54 – Miscommunication Risks: How misunderstandings affect patient care
10:52 – Managing Tasks: Balancing email with other responsibilities
12:12 – Dedicated Email Time: Setting aside time for email management
14:21 – Email Length: Finding the right balance between brevity and detail
17:11 – BLUF Framework: Using the Bottom Line Up Front approach
19:33 – Subject Lines: Writing effective email subjects
21:20 – Tone and Formality: Maintaining the right tone in emails
25:09 – CC Challenges: Managing CC chains effectively
29:17 – Follow-Up Emails: Best practices for follow-ups
32:59 – Email Storage: Challenges of storing emails in healthcare
35:21 – Environmental Impact: The carbon footprint of email
37:58 – Conclusion: Key takeaways
Resources & Links
Sarah Geraghty (LinkedIn): https://ie.linkedin.com/in/sarah-geraghty-comms
The Communication Clinic: https://www.communicationsclinic.ie/
Richard Saul Wurman's Information Anxiety (1989). New York: Doubleday.
Nordrum, O.L. and Malone, C. (2022). "The Carbon Footprint of Digital Communication Within the Healthcare Service." Irish Medical Journal, 115(8), p. 663. Available: https://imj.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/The-Carbon-Footprint-of-Digital-Communication-Within-the-Healthcare-Service.pdf (accessed 7 June 2026).
Breathwork: Demystifying Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) with Ciarán Heatley
lundi 29 décembre 2025 • Durée 30:09
Join hosts Dr Margaret Higgins and Dr Marissa O’Callaghan as they sit down with respiratory physiology expert Ciarán Heatley to explore the science and clinical value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET). Moving beyond static resting tests, this episode highlights how CPET provides dynamic, real-time insight into integrated cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and muscular responses to exercise.
Ciarán, who leads the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory at Mater University Hospital Dublin, draws on over a decade of experience to explain what CPET truly measures and how it is applied in modern respiratory and cardiovascular care. The discussion covers CPET’s role in diagnosing unexplained dyspnoea, preoperative risk stratification, transplant assessment, pulmonary hypertension management, and personalised rehabilitation planning.
Key Topics Covered
1. What CPET Really Measures
CPET is more than a stress test—it evaluates ventilatory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and muscular responses during exercise. Core parameters discussed include VO₂ max, metabolic threshold (VT1), and respiratory compensation point (VT2), with emphasis on the distinction between aerobic capacity and functional capacity.
2. Clinical Applications
CPET is valuable for:
Investigating unexplained breathlessness Preoperative risk assessment for major surgery Heart and lung transplant evaluation Monitoring treatment response in pulmonary arterial hypertension Assessing pregnancy risk in congenital disease Individualised pulmonary rehabilitation planning
3. What the Test Involves
A full CPET takes approximately 90 minutes, including setup, an 8–12 minute exercise phase, and interpretation. Bike ergometry is preferred clinically. Equipment includes ECG, spirometry, a metabolic mask, and continuous blood pressure monitoring. Safety protocols require two physiologists and one doctor present.
4. Interpreting CPET Data
The episode breaks down:
VT1 and VT2 identification Ventilatory efficiency (V̇E/V̇CO₂) Detection of V/Q mismatch and pulmonary hypertensionChronotropic incompetence and heart rate reserveVentilatory limitation vs maximum voluntary ventilationThe impact of obesity on interpretation
5. Referral Considerations
Good referrals clearly state the clinical question, relevant comorbidities, and medications (especially beta-blockers). Contraindications include acute illness, recent MI, severe cognitive or mobility impairment, and significant claustrophobia.
6. CPET in Ireland
CPET remains underutilised compared to the NHS, largely due to resource, training, and education gaps. However, there is growing recognition of respiratory physiology’s role within Irish healthcare.
Educational Chapters
00:00 Introduction & disclaimer
03:28 What is CPET?
05:54 CPET procedure
09:32 Data interpretation
18:14 Clinical indications
22:51 Practical referrals
25:20 CPET in Ireland
29:32 Closing thoughts
Further Learning
ARTP CPET Course
ERS Clinical Exercise Testing Course
Cambridge CPET Course
ATS/ACCP CPET Guidelines
Wasserman’s Principles of Exercise Testing and Interpretation
Guest: Ciarán Heatley, Chief II Respiratory Physiologist, Mater University Hospital Dublin
Hosts: Dr Margaret Higgins & Dr Marissa O’Callaghan
Disclaimer: Sponsored by AstraZeneca. Sponsor had no input into content. Always follow local clinical guidance.
Inspire — Professor Luke Clancy: From innovations in clinical care to national policy
lundi 15 décembre 2025 • Durée 27:37
Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland and Professor at Technological University Dublin, describes how clinical observation, focused research and coalition‑building translated into major public‑health wins — the 1990 Dublin smoky‑coal ban and Ireland’s 2004 Public Health (Tobacco) Act.
He reflects on the science behind excess winter mortality and air pollution, clinical innovations (bronchoscopy, COPD outreach, lung‑cancer MDTs), tobacco control advocacy, implementation lessons and leadership advice for clinicians to influence policy.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction & guest bio
01:12 — Why clinicians should turn observation into research
01:41 — Early training, influences and clinical work
04:38 — Dublin smog: excess winter mortality & particle debate
08:01 — Publishing the evidence & getting external support
08:58 — Politics & the path to the Smoky Coal ban
11:09 — Why national rollout took decades
15:36 — Tobacco control: forming ASH & building strategy
20:04 — Coalition building, unions & the 2004 Public Health (Tobacco) Act
23:21 — International influence & lessons
24:42 — Clinical innovations: bronchoscopy, COPD, lung cancer services
27:30 — Leadership lessons for clinician‑advocates
28:46 — Wrap up & next episode preview
28:56 — End
Show notes
• Kelly, I., Clancy, L. et al., 1984. Mortality in a general hospital and urban air pollution. ResearchGate. [online] (Accessed 14 December 2025)
• Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland (TFRI) https://www.tri.ie/
• Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Ireland https://ash.ie/
• Framework Convention on Tobacco Control https://fctc.who.int/convention
Breathwork: Digital Asthma Management with Professor Richard Costello
mardi 2 décembre 2025 • Durée 27:01
In this episode, Irish respiratory fellows Barry and Sandra sit down with Professor Richard Costello to explore the rapidly evolving world of digital asthma care. From eosinophils and T2 inflammation to the future of smart inhalers and precision monitoring, this conversation dives deep into how technology is reshaping diagnosis, adherence, and long-term management.
Professor Richard Costello discusses the challenges of diagnosing a highly variable disease, the limitations of symptom-based tools like the ACT, and why biomarkers and digital home spirometry are essential in modern asthma practice. They cover how digital devices can reveal patient behaviour, uncover hidden comorbidities, and distinguish difficult-to-treat asthma from true severe asthma.
The episode also explores the emerging potential of closed-loop smart inhalers, real-time lung function monitoring, and how personalised dosing may soon become a reality. Along the way, the team unpacks overlooked side effects of chronic inhaled steroids, the importance of steroid stewardship, and how Ireland can move toward a more decentralised, digitally enabled model of asthma care.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:31 – Episode Overview
01:15 – Rapid-Fire Round: True or False
03:45 – The Importance of Eosinophils & T2 InflammationDr. Costello explains why identifying T2 inflammation is central to diagnosing and managing asthma.
06:15 – Challenges in Diagnosing AsthmaVariability, biomarkers, bronchial responsiveness, and why asthma remains difficult to diagnose in 2025.
09:40 – The Role of Home SpirometryHow home monitoring helps differentiate asthma from mimics and guides treatment decisions.
12:10 – Differentiating Difficult-to-Treat vs Severe AsthmaUsing digital adherence data to distinguish true severity from difficult to treat asthma.
14:20 – The Future: Smart, Closed-Loop InhalersHow inhalers may soon auto-dose based on real-time airflow and physiology.
17:00 – Understanding the User, Not Just the DeviceDigital data reveals patient behaviour patterns and barriers to adherence.
20:10 – When Symptoms Aren’t AsthmaReflux, deconditioning, cardiac disease, and other asthma mimics uncovered through monitoring.
22:20 – Hidden Side Effects of High-Dose SteroidsAdrenal suppression, cataracts, diabetes, and why symptom-based escalation can lead to elevated steroid exposure.
25:00 – The Limitations of the ACT & Symptom ScoresWhy subjective questionnaires fall short in a multimorbid population.
27:10 – Ireland’s Future: Digital Home Monitoring & Decentralised CareHow integrated hubs and digital platforms could streamline diagnosis and management.
30:00 – Looking Ahead
31:29 – Closing Remarks
Guest: Professor Richard Costello
Professor Richard Costello is a professor of respiratory medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a consultant at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. He trained at RCSI, Beaumont, and Johns Hopkins University. A leading researcher in airways disease and digital respiratory health, he has published over 200 papers, holds several health innovation patents, and founded a company focused on inhaler adherence. He has served as Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and chaired the European Respiratory Society Educational Council, receiving the ERS Educational Award for his contributions to respiratory medicine.
Hosts: Dr Barry Harnedy & Dr Sandra Green
Dr Barry Harnedy is a respiratory specialist trainee in Ireland. He graduated from National University of Ireland Galway. He is the current Irish Thoracic Society co Educational Officer. He is passionate about digital innovation and airways assessment.
Dr Sandra Green is a respiratory specialist trainee in Ireland. She is the current Irish Thoracic Society Sustainability Officer. As a founder of Irish Doctors for the Environment she is interested in healthcare sustainability and planetary health.
Inspire: Digital health and setting up a medical device with Professor Richard Costello
lundi 17 novembre 2025 • Durée 27:54
We’re back in the studio with Professor Richard Costello, exploring his vision for the future of digital health and what it takes to set up a medical device to life. He discusses how his experience in digital monitoring led him to a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
00:00 Intro and episode overview
00:41 Introduction to Professor Richard Costello
02:13 Developing an interest in digital health
04:49 Developing patents in digital health
08:37 Maintaining motivation
10:17 Challenges setting up a medical device
13:24 Vision for digital health
16:26 Restructuring healthcare to be more inclusive using digital technology
16:49 Data ownership in digital health
17:33 Portals of communication and the electronic healthcare record
19:44 GDPR in digital health
21:29 Funding structures for digital subscriptions and online platforms
23:19 Inequality and inclusion in the digital era
23:59 The carbon footprint of digital health
Guest - Professor Richard Costello
Professor Richard Costello is a professor of respiratory medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and a consultant at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. He trained at RCSI, Beaumont, and Johns Hopkins University. A leading researcher in airways disease and digital respiratory health, he has published over 200 papers, holds several health innovation patents, and founded a company focused on inhaler adherence. He has served as Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and chaired the European Respiratory Society Educational Council, receiving the ERS Educational Award for his contributions to respiratory medicine.
Hosts - Dr Barry Harnedy & Dr Sandra Green
Dr Barry Harnedy is a respiratory specialist trainee in Ireland. He graduated from National University of Ireland Galway. He is the current Irish Thoracic Society co Educational Officer. He is passionate about digital innovation and airways assessment.
Dr Sandra Green is a respiratory specialist trainee in Ireland. She is the current Irish Thoracic Society Sustainability Officer. As a founder of Irish Doctors for the Environment she is interested in healthcare sustainability and planetary health.
Preparing for the European Respiratory Society Congress 2025, advice from early career representatives
lundi 22 septembre 2025 • Durée 32:15
In this episode, Dr Marissa O’Callaghan and Dr Sandra Green host Dr. Augusta Beach and Dr. Laura Fabbri, both Early Career Representatives of the European Respiratory Society.
They discuss their journeys to becoming representatives, the responsibilities of their roles, and the importance of networking and engagement within the society.
This conversation also focuses on the upcoming Congress, including key sessions, tips for poster presentations, and social events, emphasizing the value of participation and proactive involvement for early career members.
Keywords
European Respiratory Society, Early Career Representatives, Networking, Congress, ILD, COPD, Research, Eosinophils, Asthma, Clinical Trials
Conference Series: Maximizing Your European Respiratory Society Congress 2025 Experience with Dr Barry Harnedy and Dr Margaret Higgins (Part 1)
lundi 15 septembre 2025 • Durée 22:16
In this episode, Dr Marissa O'Callaghan and Dr Sandra Green host Dr. Margaret Higgins and Dr. Barry Harnedy, the new Educational Officers of the Irish Thoracic Society, to discuss the upcoming ERS Congress in Amsterdam. They share insights on how to strategies to get the most out of your conference attendance, the importance of networking, and opportunities for pursuing fellowships. The conversation also includes a fun quiz about the ERS Congress and practical tips for first-time attendees.
Keyword / Tags
ERS Congress, networking, fellowship, pulmonology, education, conference tips, respiratory health, international collaboration, poster sessions, early career
Breathwork: Overview of lung function testing and the new Global Lung Initiative Guidelines with Aisling McGowan (Part 2)
lundi 1 septembre 2025 • Durée 26:51
In this episode, Aisling McGowan takes us through the full journey of lung function testing — from referral to patient walkthrough — covering contraindications, the patient experience, and interpretation using the new GLI Guidelines.
Inspire: Respiratory Physiology: Career Insights with Aisling McGowan (Part 1)
lundi 18 août 2025 • Durée 31:17
Join us in this interview with Aisling McGowan, Chief 2 Physiologist at Connolly Hospital, Dublin, whose 34-year career in respiratory and sleep diagnostics has combined clinical expertise, education, and leadership. We explore the role of a respiratory physiologist, the varied training paths into the profession, career progression, opportunities in education and leadership, and the challenges and rewards of a career in respiratory physiology in Ireland.
01:10 Describing the role of the respiratory physiologist
03:13 The training pathway for respiratory physiology
06:32 Specialising in respiratory physiology
08:10 Postgraduate entry to respiratory physiology
08:50 Career progression; staff grade to senior to chief one and chief two
12:10 Advanced practice in respiratory physiology
13:53 Changes to the role if advanced practice came into effect
14:45 Opportunities abroad for Irish trainees
15:50 The pathway for internationally trained respiratory physiologists
16:20 Popularity of respiratory physiology degree courses
17:09 Challenges in recruitment and retention
17:50 Additional postgraduate training opportunities: Master of Science
20:10 Staff shortages and workloads
21:45 The impact of integrated community care hubs on tertiary care staffing
22:26 Vision for lung function diagnostics in the integrated care hub
27:18 What keeps you engaged?
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