Design and methodology of the Nivel Panel Stronger Together now described internationally

The Nivel Panel Stronger Together is a national panel of over 3500 people living with a chronic illness or physical disability. Through this panel, participants are given a voice to share their experiences with healthcare and participation in society, and to indicate what they need. Nivel uses the insights from the panel to make recommendations for policy and practice. A new article provides a detailed description of the design, methodology, and research lines of the Nivel Panel Stronger Together. This now also provides a clear international reference.

Perspective of people with a long-term illness

Using data from the Nivel Panel Stronger Together, Nivel conducts up-to-date and policy-relevant research on themes that directly affect people with a chronic illness or physical disability. These include accessible and appropriate care, full participation in society, self-reliance and support at home, health disparities, and inclusion. The voices and experiences of the people themselves are central to this work. We incorporate the collected information into national and international 
articles, reports, and news items. We share these with policymakers, patient organizations, and other stakeholders, such as healthcare institutions, so that policy better takes into account the position of this group.

Through the Nivel Panel Stronger Together, we amplify the voices of people with chronic illness or physical disabilities. Their experiences offer valuable insights into current issues surrounding accessible and appropriate care and full participation in society

Juliane Menting, PhD

Senior researcher Patient-centered Care

Nivel Panel Stronger together: people with chronic illness or physical disabilities
The Nivel Stronger Together Panel has been in existence for over 25 years. The panel is nationwide and representative of people aged 18 and older who live independently and have a chronic somatic illness or physical disability. Panel members are recruited at random through general practitioners’ offices and via health surveys conducted by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Participants cannot sign up on their own. Panel members receive questionnaires (in print and online) over a period of several years and occasionally participate in interviews or focus groups. An advisory board of experts by experience regularly contributes to discussions regarding research priorities, questionnaires, and the interpretation and dissemination of results.

Want to know more?

The article has been published in BMJ Open. Explore the full publication.  

Requesting data for research to improve care

Do you have any questions or comments about Nivel Panel Stronger Together? Or would you like to use our unique data source for your own research to improve health and healthcare? Go to Nivel Panel Stronger Together - people with chronic illness or physical disabilities or send an e-mail to j.menting@nivel.nl. We look forward to getting in touch with you!