Astrid Janssens

This PhD project is based at Amsterdam UMC within the Department of Geriatric Medicine and focuses on strengthening client and citizen participation in district nursing research and practice. The study sits within the Academische Werkplaatsen Wijkverpleging Noord-Holland and is linked to the national consortium of academic workplaces in district nursing. You will work on research aimed at making participation a more structural, meaningful and sustainable part of how care is developed and improved. The project explores which factors help or hinder participation and how the experiences and perspectives of clients and citizens can be better used in the development of care. A key part of the work is the design and testing of a participation thermometer that helps academic workplaces learn from their own experience and further develop participation. The outcomes are intended to be translated into practical tools and a guide that can also support other academic workplaces. You will set up and shape separate studies with room for your own initiative, combining literature review and document analysis with interviews, focus groups and observations. The research is highly collaborative and involves co-creation with clients, citizens, project leaders, coordinators and researchers. You will also carry out a pilot study in district nursing academic workplaces, analyse the findings together with stakeholders, and convert the results into concrete improvement actions and scientific publications. The position offers close collaboration with UMC Utrecht , including one day per week in the research group Bioethics and Health Humanities . The wider environment brings together researchers, care organisations, educational institutions, clients, citizens and professionals, with a strong focus on practice-oriented research and future-proof district nursing. During the PhD, you will also develop your academic profile through courses at the Graduate School and contribute to teaching in medical humanities. Supervision is provided by Dr. Marjon van Rijn and Prof. Astrid Janssens.