The mission of the section Health Technology Assessment is to contribute to the affordability of the Dutch healthcare system. We do that by improving, performing and implementing studies that evaluate the clinical, economic and societal consequences of implementing (new) health interventions.
To achieve this overall goal we work together with many different clinical departments, national and international research groups and other stakeholders such as healthcare policymakers.
Our research focuses on the following themes:
- Applied cost-effectiveness studies
- Statistical methods of cost-effectiveness studies
- Measurement of health outcomes
In addition, we put a lot of effort into training researchers, healthcare providers and other decision makers in the use of cost-effectiveness studies.
To be able to allocate healthcare resources efficiently, decision-makers need information about the cost-effectiveness of care under routine conditions. In this project we will develop and evaluate advanced methods to do this.
In the short-term, internet-based treatments are considered cost-effective. But what about the long-term? Is there a difference between guided and unguided treatments? We will investigate this using a mathematical model.
Cost-effectiveness research is a relatively new research field within health sciences. We contribute to the development of the field by developing and evaluating statistical methods for cost-effectiveness studies.
Quality of life is generally measured from a health perspective. However, in older adults where there is a shift from cure to care, these instruments are too restricted. We develop a Dutch version of the ASCOT to measure quality of life from a broader perspective.
National and International collaborations
Our research is embedded within the Amsterdam Public Health research institute and the MOVE research institute Amsterdam. We work closely with other sections within the department of Health Sciences, and with several departments at the Amsterdam UMC.
We have a strong network of research within the Netherlands including the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, and the department of Epidemiology at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG).
Furthermore, we closely work with international research groups including the Institute for Work & Health Toronto, Aarhus University Hospital and the Personal Social Services Research Unit.
Knowledge sharing through teaching and supervision
Education is an important aspect of the work at the section Health Technology Assessment. All researchers at our section are involved in educational activities within the bachelor and master degree programs Health Sciences. We also contribute to the training of professionals already working in the field of health sciences by giving a post-initial course on health technology assessment as part of the EPIDM program. During research internships as part of both the bachelor and master degree programs Health Sciences students train their practical research skills under supervision of the researchers at the section Health Technology Assessment.
Interested?
Please contact us about current possibilities if you are interested in working with or at our section as an internship student or as a visiting scholar.
Contact person: Dr. Judith E. Bosmans, j.e.bosmans@vu.nl.