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van Gemert - Pijnen, Dr. J.E.W.C. (Lisette)

Expertise

The research and tuition conducted by Lisette van Gemert focuses on the design, implementation and evaluation of technology in the healthcare sector with the aim of improving the overall quality of health and safety. The research in particular is oriented towards human-centered and value-driven technology and includes three subthemes: persuasive technology, participatory development through social media, and business modelling (implementation).

The work is carried out in close collaboration with the University of Toronto

(Dr. G. Eysenbach) and the University of Waterloo in Canada (adjunct Professor

Van Gemert-Pijnen). Students can conduct research at these universities.

Positions

·	UHD eHealth; Supporting health by technology

·	Head of the Centre for eHealth Research & Disease Management www.ehealthgw.nl

·	Adjunct Professor, University of Waterloo

For more details about the centre for eHealth go to: www.ehealthgw.nl and for additional information about positions and publications or reports, click here.

Current research projects

For a description of the course, see Osiris.

Research that is currently underway focuses on technological innovations in healthcare. The premise is that technology must make a qualitative and cost-effective contribution to health and safety. This means that during the research (and through the courses) we set out to address the following question: Which forms of technology are acceptable, appropriate, enjoyable, and affordable for stakeholders and end-user groups in order to support specific elements of a work process or healthcare process? The research focuses on developing generic knowledge whereby we examine specific technological applications in the form of case studies. Throughout the research special attention is paid to methods for participation of stakeholders in the development and implementation process.

We also examine the type of quality criteria demanded by the end-users of the eHealth technologies and identify which of these demands plays a role in whether or not the technologies are eventually accepted. During implementation, we examine how goals are actually achieved in practice.

Persuasive technology projects

eCoaching for patients with chronic ailments

In one PhD project (which began in 2006), digital communication in the form of an online coach (eCoach) for people suffering from diabetes is evaluated (see the profile of N. Nijland MSc). The project investigates the barriers and drivers for developing and implementing eCoaching. The question is how can interactive communication and feedback be used effectively and efficiently to promote adherence and stimulate self-care for patients with chronic conditions? The project is being carried out jointly by Medicinfo and the University of Twente.

The design and implementation of a health portal for chronic conditions is being evaluated and fine-tuned in graduate projects carried out at Medicinfo. Information about the above can be obtained directly from Dr J. Van Gemert-Pijnen.

The developement of a portal for borderless patient safety; Eursafety Health-Net

A PhD project conducted by M.J. Wentzel MSc (which began in 2010) examines how healthy behaviour can be promoted via cross-border electronic services. Eursafety (www.eursafety.eu 2010-2015) is a cross-border project and represents a continuation of the MRSA-net project (2005-2010). The project is being carried out as a joint activity between Twente Streeklaboratorium, the University of Munster, the Landesinstitut für den Offentlichen Gesundheidsdienst NRW and the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The goal of the portal is to improve the safety of patients and healthcare workers in the health sector. The service comes in the shape of a healthcare portal, with Web 2.0 applications for communication (social media), decision aids to help support the professionals, and cost-benefit applications (antibiotics policy). The portal will be available in various languages (German, English, French and Dutch). The project builds upon the website that was designed for combating MRSA infections and implemented in hospitals (www.mrsa-net.nl).

Domotica and Dementia

A PhD project conducted by N. Nijhof MSc (which began in 2006) is examining how technology can improve the safety and self-reliance of patients suffering from dementia and how it can bring about innovation in healthcare. In the Netherlands, the healthcare programs of hospitalized patients and out-patients are being used to explore how patients and their families deal with the passive technology that monitors patients’ activities and how they handle social-networking technology geared towards improving communication between the patients and their families and carers. Observations on how the technology is being used provides insights into how far technology can be deployed responsibly in cases of hospitalized patients and out-patients, as well as how technology can be used to make the healthcare sector operate more efficiently. The goal is to design a dementia technology guideline that can be applied in practice.

eTherapy for people with chronic complaints (GettingBetter)

A PhD project by S.M. Kelders (MSc) (which began in 2007) is examining how the lifestyle of people with chronic symptoms can be improved through online therapy. An application called Live Life To The Full, which can be used for various complaints, has been designed. This project explores how the format and content of the application can encourage patients to use the technology and persevere with the treatment. Experimental research and end-user studies are being carried out to identify the persuasive aspects that enhance the sustained use of the technology and treatment. Additional information about this project can be found under the profile of S.M. Kelders MSc. A systematic review is being conducted to examine how adherence to technology through persuasive technology can be promoted. For more information about this, please contact Lisette van Gemert.

ePhysiotherapy for people with chronic complaints (GettingBetter)

This project (which was commissioned by KNGF) uses a systematic review and evaluation of how things work in practice to explore how technology employed for physiotherapy can be used for self-care. Web instruction is used to study how healthcare can be supported in the practices of physiotherapists. For additional information about the above, please contact Lisette van Gemert.

Transmural communication between healthcare professionals and patients
An evaluation of the quality of communication between healthcare professionals and parents of patients with cerebral palsy. This is a PhD project by J. Gulmans ('t Roessingh) MSc with Dr. J. van Gemert-Pijnen as the formal adviser. The project includes the design and implementation of an online help-desk to support communication between parents and healthcare professionals. Information can be obtained from Lisette van Gemert.

Business modelling projects

Business modelling for implementing a portal for patient safety in healthcare facilities, Eursafety Health-net

A.H.M. van Limburg’s MSc PhD project is conducting research into how business modelling can be used to ensure that the portal designed for Eursafety (www.eursafety.eu) can be successfully implemented in healthcare institutions in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The business modelling approach and tools are designed and implemented in this project. The project builds upon the implementation of the website for combating MRSA infection in hospitals (www.mrsa-net.nl).

Business modelling for the development of teledermatology
In a project commissioned by Diaderma BV (2009-2011) an application to detect wound infections at a very early stage is being designed and implemented. The business modelling approach is being used to work out how the technology can be embedded in healthcare, along with the implications that this will have for the healthcare institutions. For more details, click on the profile of E. Kloeze.

Business modelling for implementing PAL4
In a project commissioned by Focuscura (2010-2011) an application for healthcare and welfare - PAL4 - is being examined for its up scaling potential in the Netherlands. The business modelling approach is being used to determine how PAL4 can become more robustly embedded into healthcare and to establish what the consequences of this will be on how healthcare is organized. For more information, click on the profile of E. Kloeze.

Participatory development through social media

Social Media and Public Health Communication (GettingBetter, RIVM)
The PhD project of Hans C. Ossebaard MSc (GettingBetter, RIVM) examines how social media (twitter, blogs, internet communities, etc.) can be used to tailor healthcare communications to the target groups more effectively. By means of participatory design, a study is being carried out in cooperation with the target group on how communication can be fine-tuned to the needs and wishes of the end-users and stakeholders.

Completed research projects

Online consultation in practice

Online consultation via the internet and e-mail (2005). At the request of CVZ, a government body in the Netherlands that monitors and safeguards national health insurance, online applications in front-line healthcare were examined to establish how effective they were in facilitating communication between healthcare professionals and those requiring care. Factors (such as policy, healthcare institution, and end-users) that either hinder or promote the implementation of online consultations were also examined. Click here for the report entitled “Online Consultation in Practice” which was commissioned by CVZ.

Communication via the Internet and e-mail with General Practitioners
Research has been carried out into the use of internet/email with General Practitioners (GPs) (2005). A survey was conducted among healthcare users about their experiences with, and expectations of, online communication with their GP via the internet and e-mail. The study was conducted jointly with the NPCF. Click here for the research report.

Survey among General Practitioners (GPs) into the use of online communications (2006)

Commissioned by the Netherlands Association for eHealth. Click here for the research report.

Electronic communication in healthcare for young people
An evaluation of internet-based support in healthcare for young people. Commissioned by ZonMW (2006). Click here for the report.

Online services (web portal MRSA-net) to control infection

During a PhD project (2005-2009) research was conducted into how healthy behaviour can be promoted through the use of cross-border online services. The service is based on guidelines compiled for different end-users (public healthcare bodies and healthcare institutions) and based on national policies for infection control (MRSA). German and Dutch protocols were analyzed and made accessible through one overarching help-desk service. Click here for more information about this project.