Research program Patient Perspectives, Participation and Care

Program coordination by Nivel expert prof. Liset van Dijk, PhD

Our research covers a broad range of topics, with the patient at the center. The research program has six pillars.

Pillar 1: Co-creation in research

Nivel increasingly involves patients and members of the public as partners in its research. This involvement is essential to ensure that research is relevant and appropriate for the target group. We do this both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Pillar 2: Patient perspective on care

Nivel examines how people perceive healthcare and whether they consider it appropriate and responsive to their needs. To support this, we develop questionnaires and measurement tools. We use both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including the Nivel Panel Samen Sterk and the Citizen Platform.

Pillar 3: Perspectives of adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions

Adolescents are increasingly expected to manage their condition and treatment independently (self-management). We develop tools specifically for this target group. To better understand the perspectives and specific challenges of this group, we launched the Panel Young & Strong.

Pillar 4: Social participation

We focus on the perspectives of people with both physical and intellectual disabilities. For people with physical disabilities, we conduct research through the Nivel Panel Stronger Together. For people with intellectual disabilities, there is the Nivel Panel Living Together. Starting in 2026, we will also map the participation of people with visual impairments. Finally, we examine the perspectives of relatives and informal caregivers of people with disabilities, including through the Nivel Panel for relatives.

Pillar 5: Self-management in chronic conditions

We study what people do themselves to cope with their symptoms, and how healthcare professionals can support them in the process of self-management. For this research, we make use of resources such as the Nivel Panel Samen Sterk and the Nivel Panel for People with Lung Disease

Pillar 6: Pharmaceutical patient care

We study patient care related to medication use and the support provided to patients with chronic conditions who use medication long term. We examine how pharmacy teams and patients communicate about medication use.