Nursing Scientists: Improving Patient Care Through Research | Radboudumc
Radboudumc’s Nursing Scientists Bridge Patient Care and Research
Nijmegen, Netherlands – More than thirty nursing scientists are employed at Radboudumc, combining direct patient care with rigorous scientific investigation. Their work focuses on understanding the patient experience, improving care quality, and building a more sustainable healthcare system, a necessitate increasingly critical as the Netherlands faces an aging population and workforce shortages.
“We don’t investigate whether a new drug works, but what care *means* to the patient,” explains nursing scientist Getty de Waal. “Nursing scientists address questions like: how do patients experience treatment? How do we contribute to sustainable and appropriate care?” This approach complements the work of physicians and traditional researchers, who often focus on diagnosis and cure.
The research conducted by these scientists centers on quality of life, lifestyle factors, and patient acceptance of illness. Many are actively involved in patient care, implementing innovations and translating scientific knowledge into practical applications.
Research Addresses Societal Challenges
The Dutch healthcare system is under pressure from a growing elderly population and a shortage of healthcare professionals. According to Radboudumc, one in five workers in the Nijmegen region is already employed in healthcare. “This demonstrates the need for change,” says Huisman – de Waal. Research helps to inform difficult choices, recognizing that not all possible interventions are necessarily beneficial or appropriate.
A key focus is on “appropriate care,” critically evaluating whether treatments are truly necessary and what impact they have on patient outcomes and quality of life. This includes initiatives like the national “Beter Laten-lijst” (Better Leave List), established in 2017, which identifies medical procedures that can often be safely avoided. Studies too explore non-pharmacological interventions for pain, anxiety, and stress, such as virtual reality and positive communication techniques.
Sleep Prioritized Alongside Medical Monitoring
Conversations between nursing scientists and patients have revealed a significant concern: the importance of sleep during hospitalization. Frequent monitoring for potential medical complications often disrupts patients’ sleep. “We gaze at these kinds of themes because they currently receive little attention,” explains Huisman – de Waal. Current studies are investigating ways to improve nighttime rest, including the use of new infusion pumps designed to minimize alarms, sleep masks, and improved sleep hygiene practices. Researchers are also exploring how these solutions can be extended to the home environment.
Nursing scientist Getty Huisman – de Waal.
Nursing Scientists at Radboudumc
Radboudumc’s commitment to nursing science is reflected in its team of over thirty researchers, including those currently in training. Their work aligns with the hospital’s strategic priorities of providing appropriate care and ensuring a sustainable future for nursing. “We wish nursing scientists to be involved in research and policy-making,” says Getty de Waal. “This will give care research a full and valued place.”
The contributions of these scientists are recognized as valuable to improving patient care, strengthening nursing leadership, and supporting evidence-based practice innovations. Huisman – de Waal’s research into appropriate surgical care exemplifies this commitment, focusing not only on recovery but also on what truly matters to the patient.
Reliable Information on Side Effects
Iris Nagtegaal, a nursing scientist and oncology nurse, is researching how cancer patients can best receive uniform and reliable information and advice about side effects.
Clinical Reasoning and Patient Comfort
Ingrid Heijnen, a nursing scientist, is developing innovations to improve patient comfort and recovery. Her research includes shortening fasting periods and developing a more efficient protocol for bladder scans and catheterization, giving nurses more scope for clinical reasoning and personalized care.
Psychosocial Indicators and Data Integration
Linda Smulders, a nursing scientist and PhD candidate, is investigating psychosocial indicators that impact patients. She aims to integrate data more effectively into nursing practice.
Vital Parameters and Artificial Intelligence
Femke Becking, a nursing scientist, is conducting doctoral research on nutrition and exercise. She has also been involved in the implementation of continuous monitoring of vital parameters and the evaluation of data-driven care. Jocelynn Kraan is conducting doctoral research on the use of AI in analyzing these vital parameters.