Our research focuses on improving independence and preventing unintentional side-effects among people with vulnerable health condition. We develop knowledge and care innovations, emphasizing early detection, intervention development and evaluation, and optimizing the quality of care at the right place. Through close collaboration with healthcare professionals, patients and educational institutions, our innovations are grounded in real-world practice and improve quality in district nursing, primary care, acute care and transitions between these.

Please note: The video above is presented in Dutch (Nederlands)

Lines of research within the research group

Within this line of research, we focus on the following aims:

  • To develop, test and implement innovative tools, technology and strategies to detect early signs of health deterioration in older multimorbid people who are at high risk of developing acute events, such as emergency room visits or hospital admissions.
  • To develop and evaluate (data-driven) interventions supporting independence and self-management enabling aging in place.
  • Optimizing patient outcomes by developing a learning health system within teams and organisations.

Projects

Within this line of research, we focus on:

  • Developing an initial assessment tool for ambulance and emergency nurses to enable them to better assess and respond to the specific needs of elderly with a frail health condition, in addition to treating the acute care problem.
  • Further development and implementation of ConnectEM intervention within the acute care setting (emergency room and ambulance care).
  • Definition of the concept of ‘mental dysregulation’ within acute care by means of an international Delphi study.
  • Development of a scientific knowledge agenda on acute care for ‘elderly with a frail health condition’ and ‘patients who experience mental dysregulation’.

Projects

  • Patients who experience mental dysregulation (pontac, pontac - 2, knowledge agenda)
  • Discrimination - psychological - somatic
  • Delphi international (concept, definition)

In this line of research, we focus on optimizing care for patients with complex multimorbidity during moments of transition, i.e. moving between home, acute care and the hospital. The focus is on providing the right care in the right place by the right professional, optimizing self-management in the chain, and acute care at home. 

Within this line of research, we focus on:

  • Improving self-management in patients transitioning from hospital to home.
  • Preventing inappropriate care in the final stages of life for elderly people who need acute care.

Projects

Pioneer Appropriate urological care in community nursing and nursing home care in Utrecht

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Appropriate urological care in community nursing and nursing home care in Utrecht

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Sleeping well better rehabilitation

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Sleeping well is crucial for a successful rehabilitation.

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Tailored emergency care for elderly with an acute health problem

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One-third of all patients in emergency care are over 65 years of age. Older people often have multiple and complex health problems, which results in atypical presentation.

Older couple walking their small dog

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Education

We translate our research results and findings into educational programmes. In this way, students from associated programmes (nursing, MANP, Nursing Science) are supported in offering high-quality care to their patients.

Two senior citizens sitting in a garden Carin de Kok

“Together with the research group Proactive Care we are working on proactive elderly care. The great thing is that this allows us to combine knowledge and expertise.”

Carin de Kok General practitioner and medical director Coöperatie Huisartsen Stad (HUS)

Collaboration

In June 2019, the Academic Workplace for Nursing in the Community was launched: an innovative learning and working environment for nurses in primary care. The Research Group collaborates with Leidsche Rijn Julius Health Centers, the Institute for Nursing Studies, the Chair of Nursing Science at the Julius Center Division of UMC Utrecht, Careyn, AxionContinu, and De Rijnhoven.

In 2022, an Acute Care Innovation Center was launched in the emergency room of the Diakonessenhuis hospital. Next to this innovation center, our research group has strong collaborations with St. Antonius Hospital, Meander Medical Center, 113 Suicide Prevention, Stichting MIND, RAVU (Regional Ambulance Facility Utrecht), and NUZO (Utrecht Elderly Care Network).

Careyn
Leidsche Rijn Julius Gezondheidscentra
UMC Utrecht
Axioncontinu
Sint Antonius Ziekenhuis

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Would you like to collaborate or do you have any questions?

Marjorie van den Berg