Nivel’s mission is ‘Research for better care’. How do we carry out this mission?
We carry out our mission ‘Research for better care’ in conducting ‘high quality health services research in the broadest sense, which has a demonstrable impact upon society'. From out this mission statement we defined our two core values: ‘scientific quality and societal relevance’ and ‘applied and applicable’.
Go to our Research Agenda 2022-2024 and read about our focus on four urgent societal challengesThe coming years, next to its ‘regular’ research in the wide scope of healthcare (services), at Nivel we will focus on four 'societal challenges' we have drawn up in our Research Agenda 2022-2024. They concern society as a whole and also take up a prominent place in the sector of health and healthcare:
Take a look at our agenda!
Value ‘Scientific quality and societal relevance’Nivel’s expertise is available for the great and diverse group of organisations and other parties active in relevant areas of expertise:
In 2016 an independent international review committee has rated, very highly, the scientific quality and societal relevance of Nivel’s research together with the viability of the organisation as a whole (Assessment Report). In 2014 we received once again the full ISO-9001 accreditation.
Our research is based on the idea that health services research is not a linear but a continuous process of development and interaction between both the societal and the research domains:
Both policy issues and practical problems in the healthcare sector need to be translated into research questions, and the research itself has to be sensitive to problems existing in the healthcare sector.
This so-called translation is facilitated by our researchers, in consulting with policymakers and other stakeholders in order to achieve the most valid study design.
Our stakeholders determine whether the research design developed will give answers to their questions or problems (suitability). Our researchers determine whether the stakeholders’ needs are feasible.
Research conclusions, its interpretation of results and its meaning for daily practice may then lead to new policy or to an adjustment of existing policy.
New questions and/or problems automatically arise after implementation. They can then be translated into further research: step 1.
We secure the conduct of high quality research, on a scientific basis, applying the following principles:
Nivel’s research has to be performed and assessed according to the prevailing scientific standards, because the continuous process of developing and interacting (see above) only works when its underlying research products are of the highest quality. High standards of scientific research is a relevant value in its own right, but academic reputation is also important because it fosters society’s acceptance and use of the results of our research and this in turn affects the recruitment and retention of talented researchers.
Nivel’s ability to integrate its health services research with relevant societal issues - from different perspectives - makes it a unique partner in the policymaking process and a contributor to improving policy and practice in health care. Because of the high scientific quality of Nivel’s research, policymakers can reliably base their decisions on our results.
Value ‘Applied and applicable’Nivel’s main view on health services research is that of a multidisciplinary field focusing on the delivery, quality, costs and access to care from the perspective of various stakeholders. Central to our approach is the interaction between patients, care professionals and organisations occupied with healthcare on the broadest sense. We study this interaction and its outcomes in relation to governance structures, meanwhile investigating characteristics of patients, care professionals and organisations.
Nivel’s activities include the collation and publication of existing knowledge and evidence in scientific, professional and policy journals, reports, bibliographies, reviews, summaries and fact sheets. Nivel has a statutory obligation to publish the results of all its activities.
Want to know more? Contact usInterested in exploring the options of doing research together with Nivel? Or in more information about Nivel as national research institute? Please feel free to contact us:
