At the Department of Public & Occupational Health (POH) at Amsterdam UMC, APH researcher Astrid de Wind is working to bridge the gap between scientific research and everyday occupational health services. HumanTotalCare (HTC), which is one of the largest occupational health services in the Netherlands, is committed to improving health and sustainable employability and striving to prevent long-term sickness absence. Together with HTC the POH department has launched a new academic collaborative center. This center brings researchers and occupational health professionals together to use real-world data from occupational health services to improve both science and practice.

"By turning real-world data into actionable knowledge, we can directly strengthen occupational health practice and support the health and well-being of working people in the Netherlands"
Astrid de Wind

Turning routine data into meaningful insights

A core strength of the academic collaborative center is its innovative use of routine occupational health care data. “In the research field of occupational health traditionally we collect our own data, but that has become harder over the years. Data of occupational health services provide a great alternative.” Researchers and occupational health professionals work side by side to translate data into actionable insights that improve service delivery. With access to over 1.2 million employees and 65,000 employers, HTC provides a rich source of data on work and health of a broad and diverse working population. The ultimate goal is to develop evidence-based, scalable solutions that support healthy working lives. This is critical in a time of growing staff shortages and rising work pressure. “We see that personnel shortages, among others in healthcare, lead to higher work pressure, which affects employee well-being and causes more absenteeism. It's a vicious cycle,” says de Wind. “With this collaboration, we’re in a position to break that cycle.”

Built on shared purpose and real-world urgency

From the very beginning, the drive to create societal impact was the main motivation. It all started with a small scale research project during the COVID-19 pandemic and gradually expanded over time with collaboration in the context of a PhD project and collaborative involvement in national consortia. Engaging both internal and external stakeholders was key for building support and long-term continuity. While the center currently operates without structural funding, its formalized nature strengthens its eligibility for research grants. De Wind emphasizes the importance of staying focused on real-world relevance.

"For me, doing meaningful research means engaging with what’s happening in practice. You have to be willing to listen, to adapt and to collaborate"
Astrid de Wind

A platform for inspiration

In July, the academic collaborative center will host a kick-off symposium to showcase ongoing research and foster new connections between scientists and occupational health professionals. It will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue and the emergence of fresh ideas. By connecting rigorous science with practical expertise, de Wind and her team are working towards healthier working lives in the Netherlands where data doesn’t stay in reports, but drives real-world solutions.

De Wind her advice to fellow researchers:

“If you see an opportunity to make a difference, take it. Seek allies who share your vision, ideally from different backgrounds. Let their perspective challenge and enrich you. Above all, don’t be discouraged if the road to impact takes time. Pioneering often means forging your own path.”
Astrid de Wind

Do’s:

  • Share your vision. It helps build momentum and opens the door for valuable feedback.
  • Collaborate. You’ll need partners who inspire you and help you stay sharp.
  • Make time. Free up space in your schedule, because creating impact requires effort.
  • Involve others. Diverse expertise and support are essential to move forward.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t be discouraged by legal hurdles. They’re unavoidable in the process, but necessary.
  • Don’t give up when the path gets unclear, impact often means stepping into the unknown.