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Dr Brennen Mills

Senior Lecturer

Staff Member Details
Telephone: +61 8 6304 3947
Email: b.mills@ecu.edu.au
Campus: Joondalup  
Room: JO21.540  
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7409-7007

Brennen is a Senior Lecturer and active researcher in Paramedical Science and Public Health in the School of Medical and Health Sciences. Brennen also serves as the Chair of the School of Medical and Health Sciences Ethics Subcommittee.

Current Teaching

  • MMP6100 Evidence-Based Practice
  • MMP6102 Medical Science Masters Project
  • HST2122 Health Research Methodology

Professional Associations

  • Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators
  • Society for Simulation in Healthcare
  • Simulation Australasia
  • West Australia Simulation in Healthcare Alliance
  • VR/AR Association

Awards and Recognition

National and International Awards

  • ASC Digital Disruptor Awards Winner, 2019 (Skills Transformation of Work Teams (Large) category)
  • Serious Games Showcase and Challenge Australasia Finalist, 2019
  • Australian Information Industry Association National iAwards Finalist, 2019 (Community & Consumer Markets category)
  • 28th West Australian Information Technology and Telecommunication Alliance INCITE Awards Winner, 2019 (Most Transformative Impact on Education category), $5,000
  • 28th West Australian Information Technology and Telecommunication Alliance INCITE Awards Finalist, 2019 (Most Innovative Enabler in Health Care category)
  • Selected for NHMRC’s ‘Ten of the Best 2014’ publication
    www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/r54

University and National Teaching Awards

  • ECU Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Award, 2019 (Inspirational Teams), $5,000.
  • Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Award, 2014 (Programs that Enhance Quality and Performance), $5,000.

Research Areas and Interests

  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Pre-hospital education and training
  • Simulation-based learning environments
  • Interprofessional education and practice
  • Skills acquisition
  • Eye-tracking

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Edith Cowan University, 2016.
  • Bachelor of Science (Public Health) (Honours), Curtin University of Technology, 2010.
  • Bachelor of Health Science Major Human Movement & Public Hea, The University of Western Australia, 2009.

Research Outputs

Journal Articles

  • Hill, M., Smith, E., Mills, B. (2023). Willingness to Work amongst Australian Frontline Healthcare Workers during Australia’s First Wave of Covid-19 Community Transmission: Results of an Online Survey. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 17(2), article number e44. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.288.
  • Nicholas, J., Mills, B., Hansen, S., Bright, S., Scott, J., Ridout, I., Watson, J., Boyd, H., Brook, L., Hopper, L. (2023). Sideffect GamePlan: Development of an alcohol and other drug serious game for high school students using a systematic and iterative user-centred game development framework. Computers in Human Behavior, 145(Article in press), Article number 107774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107774.

Journal Articles

  • Spring Walsh, B., Gardiner, F., Bloxsome, D., Ford (smhs), D., Mills, B., Laws, S. (2022). A Cohort Comparison Study on Women in Threatened Preterm Labor Given Nifedipine or Nifedipine and Salbutamol Tocolysis in Air Medical Retrieval. Air Medical Journal, 41(3), 298-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2022.02.005.
  • Hill, M., Flanagan, B., Mills, B., Hansen, S., Hopper, L. (2022). Paramedic training, experience, and confidence with out-of-hospital childbirth (OOHB) in Australia. Australasian Emergency Care, 2022(Article in press), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2022.08.008.
  • Bartlett, D., Hansen, S., Cruickshank, T., Rankin, T., Zaenker, P., Mazzucchelli, G., Gaston, M., Du Plooy, D., Minhaj, Z., Errey, W., Rumble, T., Hay, T., Miles, A., Mills, B. (2022). Effects of sleepiness on clinical decision making amongst paramedic students: A simulated sight shift study. Emergency Medicine Journal, 39(1), 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2019-209211.
  • Nicholas, J., Mills, B., Hansen, S., Bright, S., Boyd, H., Brook, L., Watson, J., Hopper, L. (2022). Developing an alcohol and other drug serious game for adolescents: Considerations for improving student engagement. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(5), 682-688. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13287.
  • Mills, B., Hill, M., Miles, A., Smith, E., Afrifa-Yamoah, E., Reid, D., Rogers, S., Sim, M. (2022). Calling an ambulance for non-emergency medical situations: Results of a cross-sectional online survey from an Australian nationally representative sample. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 2022(article in press), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.14086.
  • Smith, E., Holmes, L., Larkin, B., Mills, B., Dobson, M. (2022). Supporting Volunteer Firefighter Well-Being: Lessons from the Australian "Black Summer" Bushfires. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 37(2), 273-276. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X22000322.
  • Mills, B., Hill, M., Miles, A., Smith, E., Afrifa-Yamoah, E., Reid, D., Rogers, S., Sim, M. (2022). Ability of the Australian general public to identify common emergency medical situations: Results of an online survey of a nationally representative sample. Australasian Emergency Care, 2022(article in press), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2022.04.002.
  • Hill, M., Smith, E., Mills, B. (2022). Work-based concerns of Australian frontline healthcare workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(1), 25-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.13188.
  • Hill, M., Miles, A., Flanagan, B., Mills, B., Hopper, L. (2022). Out-of-hospital births and the experiences of emergency ambulance clinicians and birthing parents: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 12(5), article number e062313. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062313.

Creative Arts Research Outputs

  • Hopper, L., Nicholas, J., Watson, J., Brook, L., Hansen, S., Scott, J., Bright, S., Mills, B. (2022). Sideffect Gameplan: A gamified, branching narrative experience for alcohol and other drug education. [Online gamified branching narrative]. ECU Simulation and Immersive Digital Technology Group, Sideffect Australia.

Journal Articles

  • Hill, M., Mills, B., Rogers, S., Vance, L., Dykstra, P., Holmes, L. (2021). ‘Watson’ the wellness dog: Impact of a wellness dog on emotional wellbeing in undergraduate paramedicine students. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 18(Mar 2021), 7p.. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.943.
  • Smith, E., Hill, M., Anderson, C., Sim, M., Miles, A., Reid, D., Mills, B. (2021). Lived Experience of Emergency Health Care Utilization during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 36(6), 691-696. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X21001126.
  • Walsh, A., Mills, B., Hansen, S., Hopper, L., Singh, F. (2021). Graded exercise Stress Test Scenarios and Incidences for Exercise Physiologists: Is there a scope for training and assessment via virtual reality technology?. Journal of Exercise Physiology, 24(6), 47-61.

Reports

  • Hopper, L., Watson, J., Nicholas, J., Hansen, S., Bright, S., Ridout, I., Cashman, S., Mills, B. (2021). The Development of On line Substance Awareness Educational Content. Australia. Sideffect Australia.

Journal Articles

  • Anderson, C., Pooley, JA., Mills, B., Anderson, E., Smith, E. (2020). Do paramedics have a professional obligation to work during a pandemic? A qualitative exploration of community member expectations. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 14(3), 406-412. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.212.
  • Mackinnon, K., Everett, T., Holmes, L., Smith, E., Mills, B. (2020). Risk of psychological distress, pervasiveness of stigma and utilisation of support services: Exploring paramedic perceptions. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17(January 2020), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.17.764.
  • Mills, B., Hansen, S., Nang, C., McDonald, H., Lyons-Wall, P., Hunt, J., O'Sullivan, T. (2020). A pilot evaluation of simulation-based interprofessional education for occupational therapy, speech pathology and dietetic students: improvements in attitudes and confidence. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 34(4), 472-480. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2019.1659759.
  • Miles, A., Hansen, S., Mills, B. (2020). A simulated night shift for undergraduate paramedicine students: Lessons learnt and the perceived value towards learning. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17(2020), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.17.732.
  • Hill, M., Sim, M., Mills, B. (2020). The quality of diagnosis and triage advice provided by free online symptom checkers and apps in Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 212(11), 514-519. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.50600.
  • Mills, B., Dykstra, P., Hansen, S., Miles, A., Rankin, T., Hopper, L., Brook, L., Bartlett, D. (2020). Virtual Reality Triage Training Can Provide Comparable Simulation Efficacy for Paramedicine Students Compared to Live Simulation-Based Scenarios. Prehospital Emergency Care, 24(4), 525-536. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2019.1676345.
  • Ford (smhs), D., Mills, B., Ciccone, N., Beatty, S. (2020). Does Direct Helicopter Retrieval Improve Survival of Severely Injured Trauma Patients From Rural Western Australia?. Air Medical Journal, 39(3), 183-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2020.01.005.
  • Rankin, T., Holmes, L., Vance, L., Crehan, T., Mills, B. (2020). Recent high school graduates support mandatory cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in Australian high schools. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 44(3), 215-218. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12990.

Journal Articles

  • Wallace, R., Mills, B. (2019). A study of the food environment at Australian Family Day Care. Nutrients, 11(10), Article number 2395. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102395.
  • Reid, D., Street, K., Beatty, S., Vencatachellum, S., Mills, B. (2019). Preparedness of graduate paramedics for practice: a comparison of Australian and United Kingdom education pathways. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 16(2019), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.16.666.
  • Mills, B., Hill, M., Buck, J., Walter, E., Howard, K., Raisinger, A., Smith, E. (2019). What constitutes an emergency ambulance call?. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 16(2019), 9p.. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.16.626.

Journal Articles

  • Mills, B., Miles, A., Phan, T., Dykstra, P., Hansen, S., Reid, D., Langdon, C., Walsh, A. (2018). Investigating the extent realistic moulage impacts on immersion and performance amongst undergraduate paramedicine students in a simulation-based traumatic scenario: A pilot study. Simulation in Healthcare: Journal of the society for simulation in healthcare, 13(5), 331-340. https://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000318.
  • Lewis, A., Rudd, C., Mills, B. (2018). Working with children with autism: an interprofessional simulation-based tutorial for speech pathology and occupational therapy students. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 32(2), 242-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2017.1388221.
  • Andrews, T., Price, L., Mills, B., Holmes, L. (2018). Young adults’ perception of mandatory CPR training in Australian high schools: A qualitative investigation. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 15(2), article no.3.

Journal Articles

  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Rudd, C., Claxton, L., Ross, N., Strobel, N. (2016). Effects of low-versus high-fidelity simulations on the cognitive burden and performance of entry-level paramedicine students: A mixed-methods comparison trial using eye-tracking, continuous heart rate, difficulty rating scales, video observation and interviews. Simulation in Healthcare: Journal of the society for simulation in healthcare, 11(1), 10-18. https://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000119.
  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Mazzucchelli, G., Carolan, CW. (2016). Testing childrens ability to correctly use the "Shadow Rule" for sun protection. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 26(3), 317-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2015.1111311.
  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Rudd, C., Claxton, L., O'Brien, R. (2016). An experimental investigation into the extent social evaluation anxiety impairs performance in simulation-based learning environments amongst final-year undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 45(2016), 9-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.06.006.
  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Ross, N., Miles, A., Mould, J., O'Brien, R. (2016). Assessing simulation-based clinical training: comparing the concurrent validity of students' self-reported satisfaction and confidence measures against objective clinical examinations. BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning, 2(2), 30-34. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2015-000089.
  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Pross, N., Quick, JK., Rudd, C., Reid, D. (2016). The contribution of instructor presence to social evaluation anxiety, immersion and performance within simulation-based learning environments: a within-subject randomised cross-over trial with paramedic students. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 13(2), Article No. 3.

Journal Articles

  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Rudd, C., Ross, N., Claxton, L. (2015). Clinical placement before or after simulated learning environments? A naturalistic study of clinical skills acquisition amongst early-stage paramedicine students. Simulation in Healthcare: Journal of the society for simulation in healthcare, 10(5), 263-269. https://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000107.
  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Rudd, C., Mills, J., Ross, N., Ruck, J. (2015). Quantification of opportunities for early-stage paramedicine students to practice clinical skills during clinical placements compared to an equal dose of simulation-based workshops. BMJ Simulation & Technology Enhanced Learning, 1(1), 24-28. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2015-000040.
  • Carter, O., Phan, T., Mills, B. (2015). Impact of a point-of-sale tobacco display ban on smokers' spontaneous purchases: comparisons from post purchase interviews before and after the ban in Western Australia. Tobacco Control, 24(E1), e81-e86. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-050991.

Journal Articles

  • Carter, O., Welch, M., Mills, B., Phan, T., Chang, P. (2013). Tobacco plain packaging improves retail transaction times. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 346(7896), 22. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f1063.
  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Phan, T., Lloyd, E. (2013). An independent audit of the Australian food industry's voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labelling scheme for energy-dense nutrition-poor foods. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 67(1), 31-35. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.179.

Journal Articles

  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Phan, T., Bremner, J. (2012). Measuring the effect of cigarette plain packaging on transaction times and selection errors in a simulation experiment. Tobacco Control, 21(6), 572-577. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050087.

Journal Articles

  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Phan, T. (2011). An independent assessment of the Australian food industry’s Daily Intake Guide ‘energy alone’ label. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 22(1), 63-67.

Journal Articles

  • Mills, B., Carter, O., Donovan, R. (2010). Maximizing Recall of Gruesome Images for Health Effects Advertising: an experimental investigation. Social Marketing Quarterly, 16(4), 112-121.

Journal Articles

  • Carter, O., Mills, B., Donovan, R. (2009). The effect of retail cigarette pack displays on unplanned purchases: results from immediate postpurchase interviews. Tobacco Control, 18(3), 218-221. https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.2008.027870.

Research Projects

  • "Positive Connections" co-creation: Empowering adolescents with the bright side of social media, Edith Cowan University, Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant Scheme 2024 (Stream 2), 2024 ‑ 2025, $37,858.
  • Paramedicine workforce survey, Australian and New Zealand College of Paramedicine, Tender, 2023 ‑ 2025, $36,879.
  • Co-design of a novel immersive educational experience targeting the mining and resources sector for Year 9/10 high school students, Construction Training Fund, Grants, 2024 ‑ 2025, $225,000.
  • Emotional Literacy Mindfulness Academy Research program evaluation, ELMA EDUCATION PTY LTD, Grant, 2023 ‑ 2024, $47,086.
  • AI-driven virtual character animation for aggression and violence de-escalation training in virtual reality, Department of Health WA, Future Health Research and Innovation Fund - Generative AI Applications, 2024, $49,967.
  • Development and evaluation of a novel gamified education package enhancing pandemic preparedness for frontline healthcare response staff and students, Department of Health WA, Future Health Research and Innovation FHRI Focus Grants: COVID-19, 2021 ‑ 2024, $224,446.
  • Virtual-reality-enhanced advanced tactical parachute training , Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Defence Science Collaborative Research Grants, 2021 ‑ 2024, $346,145.
  • Using virtual reality to create novel metrics of expertise in safety-critical decision making, Defence Science and Technology Group of the Department of Defence, Defence Research Network for Undersea Decision Superiority, 2020 ‑ 2023, $45,000.
  • Informing Detailed Design of Digital Twinning Capability for the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, Grant, 2023, $168,772.
  • Establishing 3D character English language phenomes and facial animation for embedding within an artificial intelligence driven audio model, SimConverse, Grant, 2023, $10,231.
  • Implementation and pilot evaluation of the Sideffect alcohol and other drug education game, Sideffect Australia, Grant, 2021 ‑ 2023, $191,517.
  • Out-of-hospital immersive birthing simulation training for WA Paramedics and Ambulance Officers using virtual-reality technology, Department of Health WA, Clinical Simulation and Training Grants, 2021 ‑ 2023, $49,853.
  • Community expectations and utilisation of emergency health services during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Covid-19 Research Fund, 2020 ‑ 2023, $100,000.
  • Early identification of and appropriate response to aggressive behaviour for hospital workers, Department of Health WA, Clinical Simulation and Training Grants, 2020 ‑ 2022, $49,794.
  • Informing Detailed Design of Emergency Management and Response Virtual Simulation for the Western Australian Emergency Management Training Centre, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Grant, 2020 ‑ 2021, $53,702.
  • Augmented Reality Child Health Interactive Experience: A digital gaming platform for paediatric oncology patients to reduce hospitalisation/treatment-related anxiety and depression, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant - 2019, 2019 ‑ 2020, $29,970.
  • Development of a virtual reality platform to train and prepare paramedics for mass/multi casualty incidents, Edith Cowan University, ECU Industry Collaboration Grant - 2017 Open Round, 2018 ‑ 2019, $45,000.
  • The application of virtual reality to train and prepare paramedics for mass/multi casualty incidents, Edith Cowan University, ECU Early Career Researcher Grant - 2018, 2018 ‑ 2019, $29,600.
  • Using eye-tracking and continuous heart rate to assess the Quiet Eye technique for improving marksmanship under conditions of high-anxiety, Department of Defence - Australian Army, Australian Army Research Scheme, 2015 ‑ 2018, $19,000.
  • Allied Health Workforce Survey, Department of Health WA, Tender, 2016 ‑ 2017, $61,098.
  • Investigating the extent to which highly realistic moulage impacts on learning outcomes in simulation-based learning environments, Department of Health WA, Simulated Learning Environments Research Grants 2016, 2016, $15,000.
  • Determining the correlation between learning preference and satisfaction with participation in Health Simulation Activities., Department of Health WA, CSSU Research Project Grants 2013, 2014 ‑ 2015, $9,091.
  • Improving Hazard Perception with Driving Simulation and Eye tracking, AusIndustry, Entrepreneurs' Infrastructure Programme, 2014 ‑ 2015, $25,192.
  • Investigating the relative learning outcomes associated with full video versus 'photomatic' distributed clinical simulation cognitive learning aids, Department of Health WA, CSSU Research Project Grants 2013, 2014, $9,091.
  • Determining physiological responses and performance of undergraduate students during varying fidelity in simulations, Department of Health WA, CSSU Research Project Grants 2013, 2013 ‑ 2014, $9,090.
  • Investigating the Impact of Assessor Presence of Performance in High and Low Fidelity Clinical Simulations , Department of Health WA, CSSU Research Project Grants 2013, 2014, $9,091.
  • Percent daily intake versus equivalent walking time: making sense of the kilojoules on food and drink labels, National Health and Medical Research Council, Project Grants, 2012 ‑ 2013, $29,193.

Research Student Supervision

Principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Aggression and violence de-escalation training using virtual reality technology for front line emergency department healthcare professionals and students in Western Australia.
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Efficacy of smart-bag ventilations compared to standard adult and paediatric bag-valve ventilations during cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, The impact of integrated hospital helipads on patient transport time for the WA emergency rescue helicopter service
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Operational preparedness for medical management of major incidents: A comparison of traditional and digital mass casualty training modalities for out of hospital responders.
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, What is the perceived value of a midwifery led 24 hour on-call telelphone service in the delivery of care to obstetric patients amongst paramedics?

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Development and pilot evaluation of an out-of-hospital immersive birthing simulation training application for paramedics and ambulance officers using virtual-reality technology

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Nursing (Research), Evaluation of a game-based learning simulation to enhance pandemic preparedness for nursing staff in Western Australia
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, The Use of Simulation-Based Learning Experiences to Decrease Anxiety and Increase Confidence and Preparedness for Clinical Placements for Speech Pathology Students
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Exploring Community Perceptions on Paramedic Duty and Professional Obligations in Pandemics
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Does direct helicopter retrieval improve survival for severely injured trauma patients from rural locations?
  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Understanding mental wellbeing of Family Day Care Educators in Australia - a mixed methods study

Co-principal Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, Appraisal of free online symptom checkers and applications for self-diagnosis and triage: An Australian evaluation

Associate Supervisor

  • Master of Medical and Health Science by Research, REMOTE PRETERM BIRTH PREVENTION: Comparison of Nifedipine and Salbutamol Tocolysis in Aeromedical Retrieval
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