Dr. Spillane studies a variety of health-related topics, with a focus on enhancing treatment approaches and understanding the factors that impact patient care. He has specifically looked into how emergency departments assess psychiatric patients, establishing a tool that streamlines evaluations and improves the speed and quality of care. Additionally, he researches juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to understand how this condition affects children's school attendance and participation in activities, emphasizing the need for better support systems for these children. His investigations also extend to the availability of newer tobacco products, public health implications of hepatitis E, and the effectiveness of valproic acid in treating chronic daily headaches.
Key findings
In a study on psychiatric patients, implementing a standardized assessment tool reduced emergency room stays by over 10% and improved recommended care provision by nearly 15%.
Analysis of factors affecting school attendance in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis revealed that symptoms and communication with schools significantly impacted their participation in school activities.
In a study assessing hepatitis E antibodies in New York, it was found that around 9.5% of adults tested positive for HEV, compared to only 0.7% of children, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of the virus.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Spillane study psychiatric conditions?
Yes, he focuses on improving emergency assessments for psychiatric patients and how standardizing this process can enhance care.
What treatments has Dr. Spillane researched?
He has researched the effectiveness of valproic acid for chronic daily headaches, finding it mostly ineffective and often causing side effects.
Is Dr. Spillane's work relevant to children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?
Absolutely. His studies highlight the impact of JIA on school attendance and the need for better support for affected children.
Publications in plain English
Factors that influence school attendance and participation in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis - a systematic review of the literature.
2025
Pediatric rheumatology online journal
Spillane T, Murray K
Plain English This study looked at how Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) affects children's ability to attend school and take part in activities. Researchers reviewed 12 studies and found that factors like JIA symptoms, disability, mental health issues, the severity of the disease, communication with schools, and certain supportive factors all influence attendance and engagement. The findings highlight that children with JIA often miss school and struggle with school activities, and improving support could help them participate more fully.
Who this helps: This helps children with JIA and their families, as well as educators and healthcare providers.
Effectiveness of a standardised approach to the emergency assessments of psychiatric patients.
2025
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Spillane T
Plain English This study looked at a new tool to standardize how emergency departments assess psychiatric patients. After using the tool, the average time patients spent in the emergency room dropped by over 10%, and the number of patients receiving the recommended care increased by nearly 15%. These improvements are important because they suggest that a standardized approach can lead to faster and more effective care for psychiatric patients.
Who this helps: This helps patients with psychiatric issues seeking emergency care.
Neighborhood distribution of availability of newer tobacco products: A US four-site study, 2021.
2022
Preventive medicine reports
Rose SW, Annabathula A, Westneat S, van de Venne J, Hrywna M +7 more
Plain English This study looked at how available newer tobacco products, specifically nicotine pouches and disposable e-cigarettes, are in stores across four areas in the US. Researchers checked 242 tobacco retailers and found that about half of the stores sold these products, but availability varied from 76% to 32% depending on the location. They discovered that nicotine pouches were more often found in areas with higher percentages of non-Hispanic White residents, while disposable e-cigarettes were more available in specialized tobacco shops than in convenience stores.
Who this helps: This information benefits public health officials and policymakers working to regulate tobacco products effectively.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in adults and children from upstate New York: A cross-sectional study.
2021
PloS one
Kmush BL, Lu AM, Spillane T, Hruska B, Gump BB +1 more
Plain English This study looked at the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in 63 adults and 417 children in upstate New York to understand how common the virus is. They found that about 9.5% of the adults had the antibodies, while only 0.7% of the children tested positive. This information is important because it helps health officials track the spread of HEV in the U.S. and may guide prevention efforts.
Who this helps: This helps public health officials and researchers monitoring viral hepatitis trends.
Heavy ion beam measurement of the hydration of cementitious materials.
2010
Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
Livingston RA, Schweitzer JS, Rolfs C, Becker HW, Kubsky S +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how water interacts with different components in Portland cement concrete, which is crucial for its strength and setting time. Researchers used advanced techniques to measure how hydrogen is distributed in the surface layer of cement. They found that this interaction varies based on the specific components of cement and the additives used, which can impact how quickly the concrete hardens.
Who this helps: This benefits engineers and construction workers who want to improve concrete performance.
Spillane T, Raiola F, Rolfs C, Schürmann D, Strieder F +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how two carbon nuclei fuse, specifically focusing on reactions that create neon and sodium isotopes. Researchers found a significant new peak in the reaction rate at an energy level of 2.14 MeV, which increases the likelihood of these fusion reactions happening by five times at around 8 billion degrees Kelvin. Understanding these processes helps scientists better grasp how elements are formed in stars and impacts models of stellar evolution.
Who this helps: This benefits astronomers and astrophysicists studying the life cycles of stars.
Valproic acid treatment of chronic daily headache.
1995
Headache
Vijayan N, Spillane T
Plain English This study looked at the use of valproic acid to treat chronic daily headaches in 16 patients who didn't respond to standard medications. The researchers found that only 2 out of the 16 patients benefited from the treatment, and half of the patients experienced side effects such as nausea and confusion. This is important because it highlights that valproic acid isn't effective for most patients with this type of headache, and it suggests the need for clearer definitions of the condition to improve treatment options.
Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from chronic daily headaches who are seeking effective treatment options.