Prof. dr. Ria Nijhuis-van der Sanden
Emeritus Professor
+31 (0) 24 81 87200
Ria.Nijhuis-vanderSanden@radboudumc.nl
Prof. Ria Nijhuis-van der Sanden is professor of allied healthcare sciences. Allied healthcare sciences comprises occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy. This type of care is primarily aimed at limiting as much as possible the consequences of illness for participation in society.
Allied healthcare research is a relatively young discipline. That is why a large part of the research done by Ria Nijhuis-van der Sanden deals with designing effective, clinically relevant, safe and efficient allied healthcare interventions. Knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of motor learning is used to increase the effect of remedial therapy within physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
Only when the patient is willing to carry out the advice he is given can allied healthcare interventions be effective. That is why an important theme in this research is patient perspective and realising joint decision making in order to achieve compliance. This asks for a change in behaviour of patients and professionals as well as insight into factors that promote or limit this necessary change in behaviour.
The role of the patient is not only of crucial importance in the consultation room. An important theme in this research is also the role of the patient in quality improvement in care. Does the care given meet the needs of the patient? Does the patient actually have a say in the choices that are made in healthcare? Are in fact the right outcomes used? How efficient is quality judgement in healthcare? And how do you measure the value of allied healthcare?