Specialization
Evidence synthesis methodology
Focus of research
I am an advocate for evidence-based clinical care and public health and for ensuring policy and practice is people-centred and based on the best available scientific evidence. My work is rooted in patient care and public health and focussed at advancing the methods of evidence synthesis and facilitating the implementation of evidence into practice. With my work I aim to create health impact based on rigorous scientific methods through teamwork with other researchers and users of evidence summaries and guidelines. My key activities are research and education on methods for systematic reviews and developing practice guidelines for clinical care and public health.
The GRADE Working Group developed a structured, transparent and scientifically sound approach of grading the quality of evidence and strength of guideline recommendations. GRADE is considered the standard methodology for evaluating evidence and developing evidence-based practice guidelines. My academic interests strongly resonate with the work of the GRADE Working Group. This influential international multidisciplinary network develops and implements concepts and guidance for guideline development and other types of policy decisions. My collaboration with key members of the GRADE Working Group resulted in numerous scientific papers and successful implementation of GRADE in the Dutch guideline community and National Health Care Institute. I co-initiated and co-chair the Dutch GRADE Network and I am a board member of the GRADE Working Group.
My research line covers a range of related topics, including development of core outcome sets, risk of bias tools, guidelines and methodological frameworks. I received funding from ZonMw and National Health Care Institute (ZIN) for evidence synthesis and guideline methods projects. I participated as co-investigator in large international research projects, for example the EU-funded GRADE-DECIDE project where the currently state of the art evidence to decision frameworks were developed and implemented. As methodologist I have been involved in national and international guidelines, for example the European Commission Initiatives on breast and colorectal cancer.
Teaching about evidence-based healthcare is an important part of my work, as it is crucial for implementing rigorous methods and recognizing trustworthy evidence. I teach at Amsterdam UMC (bachelor/master, PhD candidates), in post-graduate epidemiology programs (e.g. EpidM), for professional societies (e.g. Ghanaian College of Surgeons and Physicians) and for national (ZIN) and international organisations (e.g. European Food and Safety Authority and the International Guideline Development Credentialing and Certification (INGUIDE) program).