Mairead M. Bartley, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., M.D.
Consultant, Community Internal Medicine
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Dr. Bartley is one of a small but growing field of geriatricians providing care specific to the needs of aging and elderly patients. Seeking to expand her knowledge and skills in both geriatrics and palliative care medicine, she joined the Population Health Science Scholars Program in the Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery.
During her time as a scholar, Dr. Bartley hopes to improve the health care experiences of patients receiving dementia diagnoses and expand education for patients and caregivers. In addition, she is investigating ways to promote advanced care planning discussions early on to help direct care that's driven by patients' goals, reduce the use of acute health care where possible and improve symptom management toward the end of life.
What moment or experience in your life influenced your decision to be a clinician?
My first exposure to community medicine was growing up in rural Ireland, where my mother was a public health nurse and had a community practice of mostly older patients. I went on to choose geriatric medicine early on in my medical career.
What motivated you to become a Population Health Science Scholar?
As a geriatrician and palliative care physician, I have a particular interest in caring for patients with dementia, particularly in the later stages when the course of the disease is often marked by significant debility and medical complications. I believe that this important population is ideally suited to population health research, which can improve care delivery, quality of life and advance care planning.
What is your focus as a scholar within the Mayo Clinic Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery?
My focus is on improving care delivery to patients with advanced dementia. I want to review outcomes from Mayo Clinic's current practice of care delivery to this population and use this to inform future care models.
How will your research improve patient care or impact public health?
I hope this research will help guide care delivery to patients with dementia, particularly in later stages, where care that's directed by patients' goals is so important. I hope to improve on advance care planning and education around dementia.
Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to pursue your career?
I came to Mayo Clinic initially from Ireland as it is a world-renowned academic medical center. I continue to feel so fortunate to work with and learn from dedicated colleagues who always put the needs of the patient first.