Tell us about yourself

My name is Dr Dhanushi Jayathilaka, and I am a PhD candidate in the College of Health and Enablement at Flinders University. I am a medical doctor and health informatics specialist with over a decade of experience in public health, digital health systems, and healthcare policy. Originally from Sri Lanka, I have worked across clinical practice and international digital health initiatives. Alongside my research, I contribute to teaching, and I balance my academic work with family life as a mother to a teenager.

What is the topic of your PhD and why is it important to you?

My PhD focuses on enhancing mental health service integration in Australian primary care. As an industry PhD with Adelaide Primary Health Network, it tackles real-world challenges in how services work together to deliver coordinated, person-centred care. As a General Practitioner, I have firsthand experience of fragmented care, while my background in health informatics adds a systems-level perspective on improving service integration.

What is your research about?

My research looks at how mental health services can work better together in primary care, so people don’t fall through the gaps when they need help. It aims to make sure patients get the right support at the right time, without feeling lost in the system.

Tell us about your PhD journey so far

My PhD journey has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. As an industry PhD, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with real-world stakeholders, shaping my research in meaningful and practical ways. Along the way, I’ve grown both professionally and personally, balancing research, teaching, and family life. As I approach submission, it is especially fulfilling to see the impact of the work come together. I am also incredibly grateful to my supervisors – Dr Candice Oster, Prof Gill Harvey, Prof Belinda Lange for their ongoing guidance and support throughout this journey.

What is something fascinating about your research?

One of the most fascinating insights from my research was how the healthcare system revealed itself as a series of interconnected, nested layers, much like a Russian doll. Each layer, from policy and governance through to organisations and individual services, sits within another and shapes how care is ultimately delivered. What became clear was that coordinated, patient-centred care depends on how well these layers align and connect with each other.

What broader impact or relevance does your research have beyond your specific area?

Even though my research focused on enhancing mental health service integration in the Australian primary care setting, the approach and findings carry broader relevance across healthcare.

We all know, as patients, that at some point we can feel lost in the system, navigating services that do not always connect. The literature has consistently reflected this reality, showing that no single service can meet patient needs in isolation. Through this work, I explored how meaningful, person-centred care can only emerge when all parts of the system are connected and working together, and importantly, how this can be achieved in practice.

I sincerely hope this work will contribute, even in a small way, to Flinders University’s vision of changing 10 million lives for the better by 2035.

Tell us about a recent achievement.

A recent achievement has been the acceptance of my scoping review for publication in JBI Evidence Synthesis. I have also had the opportunity to share findings from my research with key stakeholders, contributing to discussions on future mental health and suicide prevention planning.

Do you have any advice for fellow PhD students?

One of the most important lessons from my PhD journey was to stay connected to the purpose behind the work, especially during challenging times. Research could feel isolating, but building supportive relationships with supervisors, peers, and stakeholders made the journey more meaningful and rewarding. I also learned the importance of balance, being flexible, kind to yourself, and finding ways to manage both academic and personal responsibilities. In the end, it is this sense of purpose and connection that sustains the journey and helps our work contribute to making a meaningful difference.