Jason Mills is the winner of the 2021 Palliative Care In Queensland Emerging Researcher in Palliative Care Award.
Jason completed his doctoral research at the University of Sydney in 2018, publishing from his thesis several articles in impactful, internationally refereed journals such as the Journal of Palliative Medicine, BMC Palliative Care- and the International Journal of Palliative Nursing.
The project was entitled ‘Self-care, self-compassion, and compassion for others’. Whilst primarily focused on palliative care professionals as the study population, this research will lead to positive clinical outcomes for people experiencing palliative care – as there is growing evidence that the health and wellbeing of care providers is linked to quality of patient care. Indeed, the impacts of COVID-19 have reminded us of the importance of self-care and self-compassion to support and sustain compassionate care for patients.
Beyond this national study, Jason has since collaborated with colleagues from South America in publishing a systematic review of self-compassion in hospice and palliative care. He is now leading an international study into mindful self-care, self-compassion and resilience.
The practical impact of Jason’s research is perhaps most evident in the development of Palliative Care Australia’s online ‘Self-Care Matters’ resource, which was directly informed by his research in this area. In Jason’s current roles as a senior lecturer and curriculum leader at Torrens University, he is able to draw from his research while teaching the mandatory subjects of Palliative Care and Self-Care Practices to nursing students across Australia. Recently appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal Progress in Palliative Care, Jason has established an international research profile and is thoroughly deserving of this Emerging Researcher award.
We caught up with Jason to find out what winning the 2021 Palliative Care in Queensland Emerging Researcher in Palliative Care Award means.
What does winning a 2021 Palliative Care in Qld Award mean to you?
For me, it is deeply meaningful to receive this award – I am both honoured and very grateful to Palliative Care Queensland, as well as everyone who has supported the research I’ve been involved in.
How does it feel to be recognised for your contribution to Palliative Care in Qld?
Modest as my contribution to palliative care may be, it is a lovely feeling – not only to know, but also to have affirmed through this recognition – that what we do makes a real impact in improving outcomes because, ultimately, this means a lot more than any list of grants or publications.
Who would you like to thank or acknowledge as part of your award win?
I would like to thank Palliative Care Queensland for its recognition and support of research in palliative and end of life care. I also thank Associate Professors Jennifer Fraser and Timothy Wand for their nurturing wisdom and guidance as mentors during my PhD.
