Nijland, Dr. N. (Nicol)

Researcher

Building	:	Citadel, room H 405
Telephone	:	+31 (0)53 – 489 6062 +31 (0)53 – 489 4470 (secretary)
Fax	:	+31 (0)53 – 489 2388
e-mail	:	n.nijland@utwente.nl
E-health	:	www.ehealthgw.nl

Expertise

Nicol Nijland graduated in Communication Studies at the faculty of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Twente in 2005. After her graduation Nicol worked as a researher at the department of Communication Studies at the University of Twente. She conducted different research projects, among which was an evaluation study about the experiences of patients/consumers and caregivers with interactive Web-based applications for supporting self-care (e-consultation).

Research project

The PhD-project of Nicol focuses on the implementation and performance of interactive Web-based programs for supporting self-care management of patients. Particular emphasis is laid on patients with chronic conditions. Main research question is: “To what extent can Web-based technology encourage self-care and high quality of care?” Aim of the project is to determine design and evaluation criteria for self-care management via Web-based programs in primary care. By means of several research projects various features of the Web-based programs will be evaluated:

-	E-consultation: treatment at distance via secure applications

-	E-monitoring: data transmission process; registration, feedback

-	E-surveillance: glycaemic and dietary values, and data exchange among caregivers

-	E-triage: primary evaluation of a health complaint

-	E-learning: online education regarding self-care management

One of the research projects concerns the evaluation of an interactive web-based diabetes self-management support program, called the Diabetescoach. This program, developed by Medicinfo, is aimed at improving access to care by facilitating easier, time-efficient communication between patients and nurses (through e-consultation), and at facilitating self-care via online education, e-monitoring, and entertainment for persuading individuals to make life-style changes. A pilot project runs within three primary care practices. Aim of the pilot study is to assess the added value of the Diabetescoach as a supplement on regular diabetes care assess.

The PhD-project is sponsored by Medicinfo

Duration of the project: 01.12.2006 – 01.12.2010

The PhD-project is supervised by:

Prof. dr. Erwin Seydel, University of Twente

Prof. dr. Michaël Steehouder, University of Twente

Dr. Lisette van Gemert-Pijnen, University of Twente

Dr. Bart Brandenburg, Medicinfo