Due to the pooling of knowledge, networks and facilities, fundamental research at the cellular level is finding a direct way to the production of the final medicine or vaccine. Great steps can now be made to develop more and better vaccines and medicines and to make health accessible to all. Besides, with the relocation of the RIVM in 2020 to Utrecht Science Park/De Uithof, room is being  created to attract new companies in Bilthoven that further strengthen the value chain. It also creates new jobs in the municipality De Bilt. Mayor Sjoerd Potters: “Our municipality is traditionally strong in the knowledge economy with the presence of renowned institutions and companies. At a local level we offer a good business location and they often operate internationally. Therefore, the commitment at an international working environment for our municipality and region is of major importance for strengthening the value chain and employment.”

The collaboration will now mainly focus on strengthening the joint proposition. In a second phase a joint acquisition policy will be developed.

On 1 August, Jan Henk van de Velden will become the new director of Utrecht Science Park.

Jef de Clercq, CEO Poonawalla Science Park BV and Friso Smit, interim director Utrecht Science Park
Photographer: Wilma Witkamp

The ZonMw programme ‘Medical Products: New and Necessary!’ (MPNN) initiated the prize to stimulate end-users to form alliances with Dutch research groups, and where possible with caregivers and/or businesses. The goal is to stimulate research into medical products that patients, clients, elderly and/or caregivers have indicated are needed. These products are focused on the treatment of the disease or enhancing the quality of life. A jury of experts and representatives of end-users have selected three projects out of 21 submissions.

’Partner in Balance’ in practice: everyone in balance by researcher Lizzy Boots (MUMC) and caregiver Jenny Tillie-Hecker. The pressure on caregivers of people with dementia is increasing due to social developments. In close cooperation with caregivers, the eHealth course Partner in Balance has been developed. The desire is to make this self-management intervention available to every caregiver in the Netherlands.

IV-Wear by researcher Bart Verkerke (UMCG, IMDI Core SPRINT) and patient Anne Doering. In the Netherlands, more than 1 million patients receive an infusion every year after a larger operation. The infusion pole is a barrier to doorsteps, trampling and moving in small spaces such as toilets. Together with a representative of the patient, the project members came up with a portable infusion bag. With this project, researchers and patients are continuing the development of this product.

A Smart App for Breath by researcher Erik Bischoff and patient Joep Fleuren. Smart devices can play an important role in chronic patients. Together with patients, the COPD Smart Care Assistant, a smart app for breathing, has been developed. This app recognises early lung attacks and gives immediate treatment advice. With the support of the researchers, COPD patients themselves make an experiment to examine the influence of the app.

Each nominee will make a promotional film for their project under the guidance of professionals. These videos will be published on the ZonMw website and Facebook. The general public will determine by voting which project will win and which projects are 2nd and 3rd. The winner will receive € 75,000 the runner up will receive € 50,000, and 3rd place will receive € 25,000. The voting will start in October 2017.

Through these inspiring films ZonMw wants to encourage patients to take action and to stimulate researchers to involve patients in their research.

For questions please contact Sandra van ‘t Padje (+31 70 349 5217).

Every now and than an interesting publication pops up within the mass of Life Sciences & Health (LSH) publications. Here we want to draw your attention on the recent publication ‘No evidence without context’ of The Council for Public Health and Society (Raad voor Volksgezondheid en Samenleving, RVS). With this report RVS has started a discussion on what exactly ‘evidence’ and more in particular ‘evidence based medicine’ is in the perspective of the healthcare setting. We hope that the report and all the more so the discussion that emerged finds you well. It might be good to take part in this discussion and let the outcomes strengthen our future and that of the patients entrusted to us all. 

Evidence-based practice as the basis for good healthcare is an illusion. The RVS pleads the case in a recommendation issued called “No evidence without context: About the illusion of evidence-based practice in healthcare” for placing the context within which care is given at the centre of the practice, policy and financing of healthcare. The emphasis in healthcare has shifted to external accountability, transparency, standardisation and controls. Much of what is valuable in the personal relationship between client and healthcare provider is not encapsulated in the existing research methods and indicators. By making this recommendation, the RVS wants to initiate a dialogue from a different perspective about new foundation for good healthcare.

Jan Kremer, an RVS council member, says, “Good healthcare is above all a question of heart and soul, not merely intellect. It’s about what we think is right to do in the vulnerable phases of people’s lives. And that’s not the same for everyone. Unambiguous scientific evidence does not do proper justice to this moral and personal side of good healthcare. We need to keep talking to each other about what constitutes good healthcare, with the human context as a key input.”

Focusing on the context has consequences at three levels: nationwide, locally and in the consulting room. For all those levels, RVS wants to get away from relying on uniform evidence and move towards encouraging learning and improving together in the context where the healthcare is provided. Medical decision-making in practice is based on linking different sources of knowledge together, such as stories, experiences, local data and (still) evidence. That way of working goes hand in hand with uncertainty and ongoing learning and improvements. This demands greater trust from both the supervisory bodies and the funding of healthcare in the judgements that professionals and patients make together, and rather less on strict observance of restrictive guidelines.

The recommendations ‘No evidence without context: About the illusion of evidence-based practice in healthcare’ can be downloaded here.

Source: RVS