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Prof. Monique Heijmans, PhD

Senior researcher Communication in Healthcare and senior researcher Participation in research, policy and practice; professor Health Literacy & Inclusive Participation, CAPHRI/  Maastricht University

Activities

What I value most in my work is contributing to a more equitable health system in which everyone has a fair opportunity to access appropriate, person-centred care. As a senior researcher in Diversity and Inclusion at Nivel, Professor of Health Literacy and Inclusive Participation at CAPHRI/ Maatsricht University, and coordinator of the Expertise Centre for Social Vulnerability and Inclusion in Research, I focus on understanding why people differ in their ability to navigate health, illness and healthcare. I am particularly interested in health literacy, communication, self-management and access to care, and in how healthcare organisations can better respond to diversity and social vulnerability. I am especially motivated by research that places people’s own knowledge and experiences at the centre and translates these insights into more inclusive care and equal opportunities for health.

Publications

CV

2026 - present:  Professor Health Literacy and Inclusive Participation, CAPHRI/ Maastricht University
2024 - present:  Coordinator of the Centre of Expertise on Social Vulnerability and inclusion in research, Nivel
2021 - present:  Senior researcher in the area of communication and health care, Nivel
2011 - present:  Senior researcher in the area of health literacy, diversity and inclusion in health care with a special interest in gender, Nivel
2008 - 2021:  Senior researcher chronic disease, self-management and diversity, Nivel
2001 - 2023:  Project Lead National Panel of People with Lung disease, Nivel
2008 - 2021:  Project Lead National Research Panel Chronically Ill and Disabled, Nivel
1998 - 2008:  Researcher Healthcare demands of the Chronically Ill and Disabled, Nivel
1996 - 1998:   Assistant professor, Utrecht University, Dept of Health Psychology 
1993 - 1998:   PhD student Utrecht University, Dept of Health Psychology
 

1998: PHD Utrecht University on Cognitive representations of chronic illness
1993: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, NVGT
1990: Health Sciences, Maastricht University, direction mental health

2025 - present:  European Citizens Science Association
2024 - present:  Member of M-POHL; Primary investigator Netherlands
2024 - present:  Board member of the commission of practice standards for the International Health Literacy Association
2020 - present:  Member of Government-wide research community for information and service delivery
2023 - present:  Member of the Global Health Literacy Academy.
2023 - present:  National Network of Inclusive Care (NNIZ)
2018 - present:  Member Nederlandse Vereniging Gender en Gezondheid (NVGG).
2020 - present:  Member Women INC.
2012 - present:  Member of the Patient Provider Interaction Group.
2012 - present:  Member of CARE Research School
2023 - present:  Board member Self-management Europe
2022 - present:  Board member of Centre of Empowering People (CeMPAC)
2020 - present:  Member of the steering committee “Allliantie Gezondheidsvaardigheden”; chair working group on patient experiences and participation
Member working group on research
2012 - 2018:  Scientific Committee of the Dutch Lung Foundation
2015 - 2017:  Pharos platform zelfmanagement
2015 - 2019:  Member Program committee Trimbos “Panel Psychisch Gezien”
2002 - 2004:  Revision POLS questionnaire for CBS