Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy RN, PhD, CNCC (C)

Associate Professor, Nursing

Sheila-Okeefe-McCarthy

905 688 5550 x6192
sokeefemccarthy@brocku.ca

Web Link
twitter

Dr. Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy is a registered nurse and is an expert in adult cardiovascular critical care and conducts research in cardio/vascular and pain science.

Dr. O’Keefe-McCarthy dedicates much of her research program to cardiac health focusing on women and men’s heart health and gendered approaches to symptom management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods and development of knowledge mobilization using arts-based forms of interpretation, analysis and dissemination, Dr. O’Keefe-McCarthy’s current program of research includes: a) patient-focused clinical research in women’s and men’s cardio/vascular health, b) education of patients, healthcare providers and trainees and c) creating awareness through knowledge mobilization, to improve the prevention, treatment and understanding of the human experience of cardio/vascular disease.

Research Interests

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome, Anxiety, Cardiac Pain
  • Pain, Pain Assessment, Pain and Symptom Management, Self-management
    Cardiac-Prodromal Symptoms,
  • Knowledge Translation Science, Systematic Reviews,
  • Psychometric Tool Development/Evaluation,
  • Critical Care, Simulation Education Research.
  • Methodology: Quantitative and, Qualitative, Arts-informed, Sex/Gender Analysis.

Professional affiliations and accreditation/certification

Professional Affiliations

  • Faculty Affiliate- The Jack and Nora Walker Canadian Institute for Lifespan Development Research Centre, Brock University (2018-present).
  • Faculty Affiliate-Brock-Niagara Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Brock University (2016-present).
  • Adjunct Professor- Trent University- Trent-Fleming School of Nursing-Peterborough, Ontario
  • Adjunct Scientist-Ross Memorial Hospital, Lindsay, Ontario
  • Research Chair-Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses

Licensures and Certifications:

  • 1983-Licensure and Ontario Certificate of Competence (Registered Nurse)
  • 2017 :Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Certified, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021(renewal)-Certified-National Certification in Critical Care (CNCC(C)
  • 2004- Leadership and Management Certificate, Ryerson University

Publications

  • Taplay, K., O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Tyrer, K., Mills, T., MacNaught, A. (2021). Simulation and a Go Pro® camera: Changing student nurses’ perspectives of patient-centred reflection. (2021). Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.05.003
  • Parzen, M., O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Salfi, J. & Taplay, K. (2021). Perceptions of Informal Caregivers Use of SMART Technology in caring for an Older Adult. Journal of Nursing and Occupational Health, 2(3): 230-239
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Taplay, K., Flynn-Bowman, A., Keeping-Burke, L., Sjaarda, V., McCleary, L., Abernethy, J., Prentice, M., Tyrer, K., & Salfi, J. (2020). Recognizing Pain as an Early Warning Symptom of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease: A Qualitative Artistic Representation of the Journey, 4(3); 71-86. The Canadian Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2020.1801339
  • de Souza Felício, AC., de Lucena Ferretti-Reubustini, RE., Murata-Murakami, B., de Andrade Coelho, FU., Takao Lopes, C., O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Ribeiro dos Santos, E. (2020). VERSÃO BRASILEIRA DO TORONTO PAIN MANAGEMENT INVENTORY -ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME [BRAZILIAN VERSION OF THE TORONTO PAIN MANAGEMENT INVENTORY – ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME]. Reme Revista Mineira de Enfermagem, 24:e-1320. DOI: 10.5935/1415-2762.20200057
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Taplay, K., Keeping-Burke, L., Ostrowski, L., Flynn-Bowman, A., Vasilaki, M., Vigo, J., Hoelzli, J., Salfi, J., O’Leary, D. (2019). Revision of the Cardiac Prodromal Symptoms-Screening Scale [PS-SS]: A Qualitative Exploration. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 29(2), 15-22.
  • Jackson K., Mantler, T & O’Keefe-McCarthy S. (2019). Understanding women’s experience of breast feeding-related pain. American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, DOI:10.1097/NMC.0000000000000508.
  • Kimberley T. Jackson, Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy & Tara Mantler (2018): Moving toward a better understanding of the experience and measurement of breastfeeding-related pain, Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, DOI: 10.1080/0167482X.2018.1518421
  • Jackson K., Mantler, T & O’Keefe-McCarthy S. (2018). Understanding women’s experience of breast feeding-related pain. American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing.
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Yost, J., Taplay, K., Yates, E., Vasilaki, M., Romas, S., Flynn-Bowman, A., McPherson, M., & Keeping-Burke, L. (2018). The Predictive Value of Prodromal Symptoms on Major Adverse Cardiac Events: A Systematic Review Protocol. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 28 (1) Winter 2018.eISSN:2368-8068
  • Parry M, Bjørnnes AK, Clarke H, Cooper L, Gordon A, Harvey P, Lalloo C, Leegaard M, LeFort S, McFetridge-Durdle J, McGillion M, O’Keefe-McCarthy S, Price J, Stinson J, Victor JC, & Watt-Watson J. (2017). Contextualizing the Self-Management of Cardiac Pain in Women: An Evidence Map. BMJ: Open Journal. Doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018549
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., McGillion, M., Victor, C.J., Rizza., S., McFetridge-Durdle, J. (2017). Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain Qualities in Men and Women with Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Complex Pain Presentation. Open Journal of Nursing 7(3) DOI: 10.4236/ojn.2017.73027.
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Ready, L., & Francis, S-L. (2017). Cardiac related prodromal symptoms- A Complicated Clinical Challenge. The Nurse Practitioner, 42(1), 1-3. DOI:10.1097/01.NPR.0000511010.36961
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., Guo, S-L. (2016). Development of the Prodromal Symptoms-Screening Scale [PS-SS]: Preliminary Validity and Reliability. The Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 26(2). ISSN: 2368-8068.
  • Harkness, K. R., Buck, H.G., Wion, S. Carroll, T. Cosman, K. Kaasalainen, J. Kryworuchko, M. McGillion, S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, D. Sherifali, P. Strachan, &. H. Arthur. (2016). Caregiver contribution to heart failure self-care (CACHS). Nursing Open Journal, 3(1), 51-60. DOI: 10. 1002/nop2.35.
  • McGillion, M, Devereaux, P.J., Yost, J., Bender, D., Carroll, S.L., Peter, E., Ritvo, P., Krull, K., Lamay, A., S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, and the SMArT VIEW Team. (2016). The SMArT VIEW, CoVeRed: TecHnology Enabled monitoring and Self- MAnagemenT – Vision for patient EmpoWerment following Cardiac and VasculaR surgery. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 5(3), e149.
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., McGillion, M., Victor, J.C., Jones, J. & McFetridge-Durdle, J. (2015). Prodromal symptoms associated with acute coronary syndrome acute symptom presentation. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. DOI: 10: 1177/1474515115580910.
  • M. McGillion, J.C. Victor, S. L. Carroll, K. Metcalfe, S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, N. Jamal, S. Gershman, H.M. Arthur, R. McKelvie, E.M. Jolicoeur, J. Hanlon, J. Stone, R. Beanlands, N. Svorkdal, & D. Stacey. (2015). The CREATE method for expressing continuous outcome data in absolute terms for use in patient treatment decision aids: A validation study. Medical Decision Making. 35(8), 959-966. 0272989X15598540
  • Parry, M., Neilson C., Muckle, F., O’Keefe-McCarthy S., van Lien, R., & Meijer, J. (2015). A Novel Noninvasive Device to Assess Sympathetic Nervous System Function in Patients with Heart Failure. Nursing Research, 64(5), 351-360. DOI: 10 1097/NNR0000000000000111.
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., & Ready, L. (2014). Impact of Prodromal symptoms on future cardiac-related events: A systematic review. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. DOI: 10: 1097/JNC0000000000000207.
  • O’Keefe-McCarthy, S., McGillion, M., Clarke, S., & McFetridge-Durdle, J. (2014). Pain and anxiety in rural acute coronary syndrome patients awaiting diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. DOI: 10: 1097/JCN0000000000000203.
  • Kandola, D., Banner-Lukaris, D., O’Keefe-McCarthy, S. & Jassel, D. (2014). Sampling Methods in Cardiovascular Nursing Research: An overview. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 24 (3), 15-18.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, M. McGillion, S. Nelson, S. Clarke, J. Jones, S. Rizza, & McFetridge-Durdle (2014). Acute Coronary Syndrome Pain and Anxiety in a Rural Emergency Department- Patient and Nurse Perspectives. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research. 46(2), 80-100.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, M. McGillion, S. Nelson, S. Clarke, J. McFetridge-Durdle, & J. Watt-Watson (2014). Content Validity of the Toronto Pain Management Inventory-Acute Coronary Syndrome Version. The Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 24(2), 11-18.
  • M. McGillion, S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, S. Carroll, J.C. Victor, J., T. Cosman, A. Cook, J. Hanlon, E.M. Joliceour, N. Jamal, R. McKelvie, & H. Arthur. (2014). Impact of Self-management interventions on stable angina symptoms and health- related quality of life: A meta-analysis. BMC: Cardiovascular Disorders. 14(14), DOI:10.1186/1471-2261-14-14.
  • H.G. Buck, K. Harkness, R. Wion, S. Carroll, T. Cosman, K. Kaasalainen, J. Kryworuchko, M. McGillion, S. O’Keefe-McCarthy, D. Sherifali, P. Strachan, &. H. Arthur (2014). Caregiver’s Contributions to Heart Failure Self-Care: A Systematic Review. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. DOI: 10.1177/1474515113518434
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy & Parry, M. (2013). Writing Competitive Scientific and Clinical Abstracts: Tips for Success. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(1), 19-21.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy. (2009). Technologically-mediated Nursing Care: the Impact on Moral Agency. Nursing Ethics, 16(6), 786-796.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy. (2008). Women’s Experiences of Cardiac Pain: A Review of the Literature. Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 18(3), 18-25.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy., Santiago, C., & Lau, G. (2008). Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: Bundled Strategies-An Evidence-based Practice, World views on Evidence-Based Nursing, 5(4), 193-204.
  • S. O’Keefe-McCarthy. (2006). Evidence-based Nursing Strategies to Prevent Ventilator-acquired Pneumonia. Dynamics: the Official Journal of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses. 17(1), 8-11.

Teaching

  • Nursing Theory-Introduction to Illness and Hospitalization
  • Nursing Clinical Practicum-Introduction to Illness and Hospitalization
  • Nursing Clinical Practicum-Intercession
  • Nursing Research
  • Chronicity-Clinical Practicum
  • Development of Leadership in Nursing Practice
  • Integrated Nursing Practicum I and II
  • Diversity and Nursing

Student opportunities

Student Opportunities

Masters/ Doctoral Students Those interested in pursuing Masters/ PhD studies should forward their CV and areas of interest to Dr. O’Keefe-McCarthy in advance of the application deadline to determine if students are being accepted for the following year and whether there is a good fit between the research interests of the applicant and Dr. O’Keefe-McCarthy

Employment Opportunities: Students

Annually Dr. O’Keefe-McCarthy, dependent on project needs and funding, masters and undergraduate students are hired to work on various research projects. Volunteer opportunities are also a viable option.

Heart Health Education Resources

Early Cardiac-related warning signs, known as cardiac prodromal symptoms are experienced months, weeks or days before a heart attack. Up to 92% of women and men experience prodromal warning symptoms.

Learn more

Catch Heart Disease Early

The earlier you are able to recognize serious signs and symptoms that lead to heart disease, the faster you can mitigate them and move toward better heart health. Measure your heart health and identify early warning signs of heart disease.

Begin now