To kick off the new year, we're pleased to share a new installment of our interview series about attendee experiences at global immunology meetings. Our WINRN travel grant provides funding to nurses that supports travel to key meetings that highlight Primary Immunodeficiency. It’s our hope that this grant enhances nurse education, awareness, and encourages new connections and collaborations with colleagues across the field.
Gráinne O’Toole is a Senior Research Nurse of gene therapy at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, England. Gráinne received a WINRN grant to support her attendance at the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) last October. We hope you enjoy reading about her meeting experience!
- What made you interested in immunology? Please share a brief overview of your career and current work.
As with all my career choices so far – I kind of fell into immunology. I have worked for 8 years in children’s cancer nursing, and an opportunity to work as a research nurse in gene therapy came up In London. I’ve seen how newer treatments have provided treatment options to patients where none were previously available, and I wanted to involved with research at this stage. It’s a complex specialty but there’s lots to learn and really exciting treatments being developed for these conditions.
- Why did you want to attend ESID?
ESID has a large representation of immunology experts from medical, scientific, patient and nursing immunology fields. It has a large amount of knowledge available for those who attend. I really like that patients and families have such a strong representation at this conference also.
- What was the biggest takeaway of attending ESID?
I’m really excited to look further into patient experiences of treatment. We’ve learned a lot over the past few decades that psychosocial supports are as important to patients especially children, and I would love to highlight this in the PID population so we can ensure adequate resources are allocated for patients and their families for this type of care.
- Is there a specific research effort or development in the field of immunology that you’re particularly excited about?
As I’m working in gene therapy, it’s naturally the area where I have the most interest.
- How will you take what you learned at the ESID conference and apply it to your daily work?
I made some really good contacts with several Immunology pediatric and adult hospitals. Much of the focus of INGID presentations was on psychological supports and transition, and we plan to adopt some of the templates discussed to our patient care to help improve transition to adult care.
- Do you have any advice for first-time conference attendees?
Sounds really basic – but have a pen/paper because there’s no way you’ll remember everything you’ll have an opportunity to hear. If possible, scope out the program ahead of time to identify sessions that will improve your knowledge, but also select ones that may help broaden your view on a topic. AT ESID participants can attend INGID, ESID and IPOPI sessions which helps give different viewpoints. It is a really collaborative approach as we all have lots to learn from each other.
- What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?
I love working with children. They are so resilient and even on a really tough day for them you’ll usually see them smiling through. I really enjoy working in these areas as you establish a good relationship with children and families as you nurse them throughout their treatment.
- Is there anything else you’d like to share with our community?
There are lots of supports available to help learn more about immunology if people are interested—don’t be afraid to ask.