Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2008; 13: 76–7
Dónal O’Mathúna, PhD, is Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Decision-Making and Evidence in the School of Nursing at Dublin City University, Ireland. He earned a BSc in Pharmacy from Trinity College, Dublin, and a PhD in Pharmacognosy from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, USA. After this, he pursued his interest in bioethics by obtaining an MA from Ashland Theological School in Ashland, Ohio. He returned to Ireland in 2003.
Dónal’s interests in ethics have focused on issues of personhood, nano-ethics, moral reasoning, and information and evidence in relation to informed consent. The latter led to his broader interest in CAM, especially ethical issues in the way some therapies and remedies are promoted. This led to involvement in the Cochrane Collaboration and a systematic review of therapeutic touch for healing acute wounds.
Since returning to Ireland, Dónal has been actively involved in the Cochrane Collaboration. He is part of the Cochrane Train the Trainers programme, supervises a number of Cochrane Fellows in Ireland, and has been involved in several systematic reviews.
Dónal and Walt Larimore authored Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, Updated and Expanded Edition (Zondervan, 2007). The book takes an evidence-based approach and also examines CAM’s spiritual aspects in light of Christian teachings. He has written numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters in books, and given presentations in several countries.
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Q Which part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
DO’M: To read something I’ve written when it gets into print and think, ‘Wow, that’s not bad!’
Q What stimulates your creativity?
DO’M: That rarest of commodities: time to sit (or walk) and reflect on the issues I’m trying to address.
Q What does your mother-in-law think about you working in CAM?
DO’M: She’s pleased to know I’m one of those people trying to sort out which areas of CAM have evidence to support their use and which do not.
Q What is the most important virtue for a scientist?
DO’M: Honesty: to be true to the data you find, and not stretch the conclusions to find what you hoped you would find before you started your research.
Q If you hadn’t entered your current profession, what would you have liked to do?
DO’M: Run fast enough that I could make a living off the sport.
Q What is your biggest regret?
DO’M: Choosing not to go on a kayaking expedition around Iceland many years ago.
Q What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
DO’M: When you don’t have answers to the big questions in life (What really matters? What is my purpose in life? Does God give us any guidance?), the little questions can be overwhelming.
Q Which do you believe is the most over-rated virtue?
DO’M: Buying things you don’t really need.
Q What makes you happy?
DO’M: Spending time with my wife, children and friends.
Q What depresses you?
DO’M: Knowing there is no way I can do everything I promised I would.
Q What is your greatest extravagance?
DO’M: Going for a hike in the mountains, or spending time alone with God, when it feels like I don’t have the time to do that.
Q If you had a motto what would it be?
DO’M: You’re never too busy to need a break.
Q On what occasion do you lie?
DO’M: When I’m falling apart inside with several deadlines to make and someone asks me how I’m feeling. I will usually say, ‘Fine’.
Q What is your favourite holiday location?
DO’M: Anywhere I can hike in the mountains while my wife lies in the sun beside water.
Q What is your favourite food?
DO’M: Whatever is on a plate in front of me that I didn’t have to prepare myself.
Q If you were a car, what make would you be?
DO’M: Any plain old model that starts first time and keeps on running.
Q What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life?
DO’M: Letting you print these answers.
