Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland is professor of Orthopedics, in particular the effectiveness of rehabilitation processes. She is also affiliated with Basalt Revalidatie, The Hague/Leiden and Leiden University of Applied Sciences. She is a member of the management team of the LUMC theme Prevention and Lifestyle. Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland is an honorary member of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR). She received the Rheumatology Medal from the Dutch Association for Rheumatology (2018), Distinguished Scholar Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, American College of Rheumatology (2008), the National Rheumatism Prize (Dutch Arthritis Association 2004) and the Prof.dr. J. Goslings Prize (Dutch Society for Rheumatology 1997)

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Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland is professor of Orthopedics, in particular the effectiveness of rehabilitation processes. She is also affiliated with Basalt Revalidatie, The Hague/Leiden and Leiden University of Applied Sciences. She is a member of the management team of the LUMC theme Prevention and Lifestyle. Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland is an honorary member of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR). She received the Rheumatology Medal from the Dutch Association for Rheumatology (2018), Distinguished Scholar Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, American College of Rheumatology (2008), the National Rheumatism Prize (Dutch Arthritis Association 2004) and the Prof.dr. J. Goslings Prize (Dutch Society for Rheumatology 1997)

Rehabilitation processes and physical therapy

The research area of ​​Thea Vliet Vlieland's chair concerns the effectiveness of rehabilitation processes, especially in the field of physiotherapy and the promotion of physical activity. The ultimate goal of her research is to provide insight into the added value of rehabilitation processes for the patient and, where necessary or desirable, to improve their quality and accessibility.

In addition to medical care, people with musculoskeletal disorders and brain injuries often need care and guidance from other healthcare providers such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses or psychologists. Based on insight into the experienced problems, care use and care needs, appropriate interventions can be (re)designed. These may consist of single forms of treatment, such as exercise therapy, or of complex, multidisciplinary care pathways. The effectiveness, costs and satisfaction of patients, informal caregivers and professional healthcare providers are then evaluated. When determining the value, it is not only about the situation up to or immediately after the treatment process, but about the complete process of functional recovery and return to society in the longer term.

It is important that insights into those interventions that provide the most value for the patient also find their way into practice, which in many cases requires targeted implementation strategies. Implementation research therefore forms an important part of the chair's research.

The research into care processes is in line with the theme "Prevention and Healthcare Research" of the National Science Agenda.

Academic career

Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland completed her physiotherapy training at the Leiden University Hospital (1983). She completed her medical training and PhD research at the University of Leiden. The title of her dissertation (1996) is 'Multidisciplinary team care in rheumatoid arthritis'.

In May 2013, she was appointed professor by special appointment of Efficiency of Rehabilitation Processes, in particular physiotherapy, by the Royal Dutch Society for Physiotherapy. The title of her inaugural lecture was 'View on Care Processes'. In 2018 she was appointed professor of Orthopedics, in particular the effectiveness of rehabilitation processes.

She has more than 400 scientific publications and several influential reviews to her name. She has a leading role in the development of many national international practice guidelines for physicians and non-medical healthcare professionals.

Vliet Vlieland held a number of national and international positions at various healthcare organizations. She was, among other things, board member and vice president of the Health Professionals of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology. She also fulfilled various roles in various national and international scientific committees, including ZorgOnderzoek Nederland (ZonMw), the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research ( NWO) and the Scientific College for Physiotherapy (WCF) of the Royal Dutch Society for Physiotherapy (KNGF).

Prizes and honourable appointments

Thea P.M. Vliet Vlieland is an honorary member of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). She received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, American College of Rheumatology (2008), Nationale Reumaprijs (Dutch Arthritis Association 2004) and Prof.dr. J. Goslingsprijs (Dutch Society for Rheumatology 1997).

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