Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Dr Jen Whan-Cooper

Background

I am a Research Assistant in the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Deakin University. It is a partnership position with Barwon Health, Geelong. I am an early qualitative researcher with a passion for culture and its impact on health management. I am passionate about understanding individuals and communities lived experience.

I began my nursing career in Rehab Nursing and then moved across to Community Health Nursing, which allowed me to work with the client alongside the broader determinants which impact an individual’s health and disease management. From here I moved to the UK where I worked as a Public Health Nurse for the NHS. During this time, I completed my MSN and had the opportunity to manage a major Influenza campaign initiative for 5 years, which required an uptake of the vaccine amongst the Bengali population living in London. We achieved an uptake from 20% to over 80% each year allowing $1 million pounds to be provided to the health trust annually.

I then moved to the UAE and worked at a major public teaching hospital, where my main role was as a nursing research and education manager. Whilst living in the UAE, I started my PhD and completed it on my return home to Australia. On returning home I have worked in a senior education lecturing role in both nursing and public health. My experience extends across the health, research and education sectors with experience of a global perspective developed through my work in the UK and the UAE in the Middle East.

My PhD is entitled ‘Health behaviour in a cultural context’- A qualitative study of the impact culture and lifestyle has on the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among UAE Nationals’.

Research Focus

My research interests include culture and disease management, nursing and patient safety, health behaviour change, education and training for nurses, and public and population health.

I am passionate in my belief that quality health services should be available to everyone irrespective of their geographical or socioeconomic circumstances. I am passionate about providing sustainable health services that improve the overall wellbeing of the community and enable communities and families to feel safe and supported to grow and thrive.

 

Awards & Achievements

• My son is my biggest accolade
• Vice Chancellors Commendation Award issued by the Vice Chancellor Curtin University, 2018 for my PhD

Feature Publications

Rossiter, R., Cooper, J., Marjei, S., Brownie, S. (2019). Case-Based Insights: Arab Muslim Mothers’ Experiences of Managing a Child Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. SAGE Open Nurs. 29;5:2377960819870979. doi: 10.1177/2377960819870979. PMID: 33415251; PMCID: PMC7774390.

Cooper, J., & Brownie, S. (2018). Perspectives of Culture and Chronic Disease in the United Arab Emirates. Dorman, G., & Chesnay, M. Case Studies in Global Health Policy Nursing. p97-116, Springer Publishers.

Brownie, S., Williams, G., Barnewall, K., Bishaw, S., Cooper, J., Robb, W., & Younis, N., Kuzemski, D. (2015). Pedagogy and Culture: An Educational Initiative in Supporting UAE Nursing Graduates Prepare for a High-stakes Nurse Licensing Examination. International Journal of Higher Education. 4. 200-216. 10.5430/ijhe.v4n1p20

Cooper, J., Marjei, S., Rossiter, R., & Brownie, S. (2014). Qualitative Research: A pathway to Gain an Understanding of UAE Mothers’ experiences and Perceptions of Managing a Child Newly Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. International Journal of Diabetes and Clinical Research. 1. 1-3. 10.23937/2377-3634/1410012.

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.