Nóirín Fitzgerald

MB Bch BAO MICGP, DCH, DROCG, PgClinEd, MMedEd, ECEPC

Dr Fitzgerald is an experienced academic and clinical General Practitioner committed to advancing medical education, improving patient care, and researching general practice education. She is an Associate Professor in General Practice and is Module Lead in MD4100 (General Practice incorp ORL). She is currently undertaking an PHD (University of Galway), and holds a Masters in Clinical Education (University of Galway 2019).

She actively contributes to the continuum of General Practice education—from undergraduate teaching to GP specialty training. She previously held the role of Assistant Scheme Director on the the postgraduate Western GP Training Scheme. She currently also works clinically in a General Practice based in Galway City.

Dr. Fitzgerald's research centers on General Practice Education, with a specific focus on recruitment and assessment in both medical education and General Practice. Her current mixed methodology PHD explores recruitment trends into General Practice (with a focus on the undergraduate General Practice experience and exploration of the motivations and medical school factors that influence medical students and medical school graduates in their future General Practice career choice)

• Lindman, I., Ahlstrand, L., Lundberg, T., Moberg, A., Mossberg, K., Caballero, L.,Heal C, Coenen. S., Picard, I., Kaduszkiewicz, H., Escales. C., Waechtler, H., Wiest, J., Fitzgerald, N., et al. Diagnostic accuracy and management of suspected acute otitis media: a multicontinental survey of primary care physicians using clinical case images. (2025) (Submitted , awaiting publication )

• Fitzgerald N, Comber H, O'Malley R, Dowling E, Wallace E, Lydon S, Murphy AW, Kelly ME. An analysis of applications and acceptances to the National Specialist Training Programme in General Practice Ireland from 2021-2024. Ir Med J. 2025 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41379081/

• O’Malley, A., Fitzgerald, N., Moylett, E. et al.A comparison of objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) for medical students, modified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ir J Med Sci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03976-7

• Fitzgerald N, Moylett E, Gaffney G, McCarthy G, Fapohunda O, Murphy AW, Geoghegan R, Hallahan B. Undertaking a face-to-face objective structured clinical examination for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ir J Psychol Med. 2022 May 16:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2022.19. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35575056.

• Lydon S, Fitzgerald N, Gannon L, Choynowski M, O'Connor P, Devitt A, Fenelon C, Byrne D. A randomised controlled trial of SAFMEDS to improve musculoskeletal radiology interpretation. Surgeon. 2021 Jan 7 S1479-666X(20)30177-3. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2020.11.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33422409. :S1479-666X(20)30177-3. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2020.11.004. Epub ahead of print

• Doogue R, McCann D, Fitzgerald N, Murphy AW, Glynn LG, Hayes P. Blood pressure control in patients with a previous stroke/transient ischaemic attack in primary care in Ireland: a cross sectional study. BMC Fam Pract. 2020 Jul 10;21(1):139. doi: 10.1186/s12875-020-01211-z. PMID: 32650725; PMCID: PMC7353812.
• Kiely A, O’Meara S, Fitzgerald N , et al. (2017) 'Satisfaction rates with the current Special Type Consultation (STC) reimbursement scheme among General Practitioners - A Mixed Methods Study'. Irish Medical Journal