PhD; MsC; RN, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Spain
David Peña Otero is an experienced nurse, researcher, and educator specializing in healthcare management, particularly in respiratory diseases and medical product safety. He is currently serving as a nurse and head of Medical Product Surveillance at the Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla. Over the years, he has held leadership roles, including being the President of CoHeSeCan and an advisor to the Servicio Cántabro de Salud. Dr. Peña Otero has also contributed significantly to COVID-19 management through co-authoring key reports for the Ministry of Health – Spain and being involved in national crisis response teams. He is an academic member of various professional organizations, including the Academia de Enfermería de Galicia, and actively participates in respiratory care and ventilatory support research. With a strong background in education, he has directed several theses and guided numerous research projects across Spain.
Profile
Strengths for the Award
- Extensive Academic and Professional Background:
- Highly Experienced in Healthcare and Research: David Peña Otero has a remarkable blend of clinical practice and research experience. He is currently an Enfermero (Nurse) and also the Responsable de Vigilancia de Productos Sanitarios at the Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla. This gives him both hands-on medical knowledge and an understanding of administrative functions related to healthcare products and technologies.
- Diverse Teaching Roles: He has held various teaching roles, including being a Profesor Ayudante Doctor at Fundación San Juan de Dios and Profesor Asociado at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. His role as a tutor for prácticas clínicas (clinical practices) and guiding students through Trabajos Fin de Grado (final degree projects) further showcases his commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.
- Involvement in Specialized Research Areas: He is a recognized researcher with over 100 publications and substantial citations (392 citations and an H-index of 11 as per Google Scholar). His research topics are diverse, ranging from ventilación mecánica (mechanical ventilation) to the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare practices, which shows his breadth of expertise.
- Contribution to National and International Healthcare Guidelines and Protocols: He co-authored significant technical reports during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Ministry of Health in Spain, reflecting his direct impact on public health policy. He was also an expert evaluator of activities by the Comisión de Formación Continuada Nacional, indicating his role in shaping national healthcare training standards.
- Leadership and Recognition:
- Leadership Roles in Healthcare: David has served as Presidente of CoHeSeCan (Comisión de Heridas del Servicio Cántabro de Salud) and has been involved in several committees of the Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR), showcasing his leadership in the medical community. He is also a member of the Academia de Enfermería de Galicia, reflecting peer recognition for his contributions to nursing and healthcare in Spain.
- Awards and Honors: Being designated as both Académico Correspondiente and Académico de Número of the Academia de Enfermería de Galicia demonstrates high regard within the academic and healthcare community.
- Commitment to Education and Training:
- Innovative Teaching Approach: His contributions as a profesor de máster and the involvement in designing courses like Máster Oficial en Género y Salud highlight his dedication to advancing education in specialized fields.
- Mentorship: Having mentored numerous students through their thesis and research projects, he plays a pivotal role in fostering academic talent in the field of nursing and healthcare.
- Collaborations and International Impact:
- Collaborative Research: He has co-authored various research papers published in journals such as Frontiers in Public Health, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, and Revista de Patología Respiratoria, showing active engagement with international research networks.
- Global Influence: His research on COVID-19, including public health strategies and clinical management, has global implications, indicating that his work resonates beyond national borders.
Areas for Improvement
- Broader Research Diversification:
- While his expertise in mechanical ventilation and COVID-19-related topics is impressive, further expanding into areas beyond respiratory and infectious diseases could help diversify his research portfolio. For instance, delving into other nursing specialties, healthcare policy, or innovations in medical technology could further bolster his interdisciplinary impact.
- Research Impact in Non-English Speaking Journals:
- Although he has a considerable number of publications, many of them seem to be in Spanish or non-English journals. Expanding his publication reach into high-impact English-language journals could amplify the international visibility and reach of his work.
- Further Engagement with Multidisciplinary Research Teams:
- While he is involved in numerous committees and academic collaborations, increasing his collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, especially in the areas of medical technology, policy development, and global health, could help foster innovative research directions and promote cross-sector solutions in healthcare.
Education
David Peña Otero has a robust academic foundation in nursing and healthcare management. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Nursing from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2006. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Healthcare, Management, and Care from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2009 and a Master’s in Research in Nursing from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2008. His doctoral journey culminated in a PhD in Nursing Research from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2016, focusing on advancing evidence-based practices in nursing. In addition, he holds certifications in Radiodiagnosis and Risk Prevention, further enhancing his clinical expertise. Dr. Peña Otero’s diverse educational background has enabled him to contribute to both practical healthcare and academic research, with a particular emphasis on nursing, patient care management, and healthcare technology.
Research Focus
Dr. David Peña Otero’s research primarily focuses on respiratory care, medical product safety, and nursing practices. As a leading figure in ventilatory support and mechanical ventilation, he has contributed significantly to studies involving chronic respiratory diseases and COVID-19 management. He has co-authored multiple research articles on healthcare delivery during the pandemic, exploring topics such as clinical management, COVID-19 prevention, and the safety of healthcare products. His expertise extends to nursing education, where he guides students and professionals in evidence-based clinical practices and risk management in medical settings. Dr. Peña Otero’s work emphasizes integrating healthcare technology, patient care, and innovative medical solutions to improve outcomes. He is also deeply invested in academic leadership, evidenced by his involvement in national healthcare committees and his role in directing research theses, providing mentorship, and assessing healthcare education programs.
Publications
- A novel application of lemmatize and thematic analysis to understand protective measures perspectives of patients with chronic respiratory disease during the first outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic 🦠📊
- Manual therapy on the diaphragm is beneficial in reducing pain and improving shoulder mobility in subjects with rotator cuff injury: A randomized trial 💪🦵
- Standardize the language to normalize processes: NANDA taxonomy 📚💬
- Compliance with COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Spanish Population during the New Normal 🦠🧑🤝🧑
- COVID-19 Vaccination. Where Are We and Where Should We Go? 💉🧪
- Review on the management of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly ❤️👵👴
- Fear and Attitude towards SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection in Spanish Population during the Period of Confinement 🧑🤝🧑🏠
- Effects of Manual Therapy on the Diaphragm in the Musculoskeletal System: A Systematic Review 🤕💆
- Risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among health professionals in Spain 🏥🦠
- One Year On: Are We Ready for COVID? 🗓️🦠
Conclusion
David Peña Otero is a highly deserving candidate for the Researcher for Best Researcher Award. His work exemplifies excellence in both clinical practice and research, and he has made substantial contributions to healthcare policy, education, and research. His leadership roles, significant contributions during the COVID-19 crisis, and active participation in academic circles make him a leader in his field. Despite minor opportunities for diversification, his impact as a researcher, educator, and healthcare leader is substantial, and he has demonstrated consistent growth in his research outputs and collaborations. Thus, he stands out as an outstanding candidate for this prestigious award.