The common thread through my working life can be summarized as 'doctors and quality'. Or more specifically, the quality of (the performance of) medical specialists. On this page I share more about this, and on this website you can find what it has led to (my performance), what currently occupies me (my news), and what I am working on (my agenda).
Proud
I don't think about it very often, but when I do - like now when writing this text - I have to admit that I am quite proud that professional performance of doctors as a theme 'stands'. In particular, that I have been able to help shape it by letting research and practice evolve together. Both my years of 'looking around' in the practice of medical specialist health care (read more on this page) and my appointment as professor of Professional Performance (Amsterdam UMC/UvA, 2013) have proven to be important. The scientific research supports, stimulates, evaluates and thus directs the practice of professional performance of medical specialists. The practice asks, slows sown if necessary, and feeds the scientific research. In my opinion, a win-win.
I am a pioneer, walk new roads. I link and connect: people, ideas, theories, possibilities. I feel rich with a great research group that I can lead at the Amsterdam UMC. Ambitious, creative, curious and caring people, who wouldn't want such a work environment?
Why doctors?
Actually, I am interested in everything that drives doctors and what they demonstrate in the practice of their profession. The doctors themselves (what motivates them, how do they view themselves and the world, how do they learn, how do they judge?), their work (how do they conduct their practice, how do they combine all those different professional roles, how do they hold their ground?), and the outcomes of their actions (does the patient feel seen and heard, does the patient get better, how do they measure quality, and do they improve when possible?).
My CV in short
In my various roles, I have had the opportunity to extensively "observe" practice in the field. I have worked with and learned from individual physicians/specialists, their professional groups, hospital organizations, their scientific associations, and umbrella organizations. I have immersed myself in different perspectives.
I studied Health Policy and Management at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (ESHPM, formerly the Institute for Health Policy and Management - iBMG). This program provided me with a broad orientation in healthcare; to this day, I rely on the knowledge I gained during those studies to understand our complex healthcare system. Nevertheless, I specialized and chose to focus on curative care, particularly medical specialist care. I earned my PhD from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in 2003 with a dissertation on the Peer Review (Visitatie) of Medical Specialists. In 2013, I was appointed professor at the UvA with a chair in Professional Performance.
In 2020/2021, I spent an academic year at the prestigious Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University in the United States. There, I delved into the topic of "women and the feminine in medicine." In 2024, I began the Certified Transitional Intelligence (TQ) Coach training program, which I expect to complete in 2025.
Since 1991, I have held various roles in intramural, curative healthcare, including quality advisor for specialists at the CBO Institute of Quality Improvement (Utrecht), independent healthcare management consultant, and, since 2013, professor of Professional Performance (UvA, Amsterdam). Alongside my primary role as a professor at Amsterdam UMC, I held and hold several additional positions. I am a board member of the Dutch Network of Women Professors (LNVH, since 2022) and served until recently (summer 2024) as a Commissioner at Amphia Hospital in Breda (and previously as a supervisory board member of St. Anna Care Group, Geldrop, until 2012, and Stichting Pink Ribbon). Additionally, I actively support Stichting Leading Doctors (as a member of the Board of Recommendation) and PPP-zorg (as a member of the Patronage Committee).
Previously, I was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Dutch Association of Non-Executive Supervisors in Healthcare and Welfare (NVTZ, until 2017), the ZonMw program committee for Gender & Health (until 2022), and the Advisory Board of the Protestant Theological University (until 2022).
Doctors as partners and focus of study
Over the years, I have been closely involved in the development of the new quality visitation model (OMS and CBO, 2004), served as project leader for the national evaluation project on Individual Performance of Medical Specialists (IFMS, 2007), and contributed actively to improving the quality of medical residency training programs as a member of two consecutive Scherpbier Committees. These efforts led to the Scherpbier Report (2009) on quality indicators for training programs and, six years later, the Scherpbier 2.0 Report on the Quality Improvement Framework for residency programs.
At the AMC in 2006, together with medical specialists, residents, and researchers, I developed the SETQ system (System for Evaluation of Teaching Qualities), which evaluates the teaching qualities of individual medical specialists. To date, dozens of publications have emerged on the SETQ system (see my publications). The SETQ marked the beginning of the Professional Performance & Compassionate Care (PP&CC) program. Experts in the field may also recognize other evaluation systems now included in the PP&CC portfolio, such as D-RECT, TeamQ, INCEPT/IFMS, the Quick Scan, the Group Performance Scan (GPS), and the WellNext Scan (WNS). Additional details are available on the Professional Performance & Compassionate Care research group’s website (www.professionalperformance-Amsterdam.com), where all instruments are accessible via the web-based Perito Professional Performance platform, developed in collaboration with software partner Esperto.
Occasionally, I conduct commissioned (evaluation) studies. In 2024, I carried out an evaluation study for the KNMG on the new oversight model for medical residency training programs proposed by the RGS, which will take effect in 2025.
The PP&CC research group is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, frequently involving medical professionals, sociologists, psychologists, health scientists, and experts in education, governance, or other domains. I maintain close ties with the group’s alumni, many of whom continue to collaborate with me on various projects.
Together with my researchers from the PP&CC group, other academic colleagues, and practicing physicians, I am dedicated to advancing the field of professional performance and compassionate care. Key themes include evaluating physicians' performance and professional development, the training environment in residency programs and its connection to healthcare quality, physician vitality, (self-)compassion in healthcare, and the role of women and feminine qualities in medicine.
In addition to research, I enjoy teaching students and residents at Amsterdam UMC. I am one of the professional development coaches for medical specialists as part of their revalidation requirement (aka maintenance of certification); till data I have coached approximately 50 medical specialists. Also, I am participate in selecting international Spinoza visiting professors as part of the Amsterdam UMC / University of Amsterdam Spinoza Committee, and co-founded the Women Academics Network AmsterdamUMC (WANA).