Clinical Research Program – Quality of Life

Clinical program director: Prof. dr. Wouter Kollen

1. Psycho-social research - Grootenhuis group
   We determine and decrease the medical traumatic stress of treatment and improve the quality of life for pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and their families across the lifespan. We study 1) the (neuro)psychosocial outcomes and quality of life; 2) risk and protective factors 3) the development, feasibility, effectiveness and implementation of psychosocial interventions. 
2. Late effects - Kremer group
   We focus on survivorship research, epidemiological trends of childhood cancer, and quality of care improvement. We have expertise in performing large epidemiological studies on cohorts of children with cancer and survivors, performing (eHealth) interventions and implementation studies, and developing systematic reviews, guidelines and outcome indicators. Research is embedded and performed within local, national (LATER study group), and international networks, among which the pan-European PanCare network and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG).
3. Neuro-psychology - Partanen group
   Our group focuses on the early identification and intervention of neuropsychological impairments in patients and survivors of childhood cancer. These results will ultimately help to prevent further neuropsychological difficulties and improve quality of life in this group of children.
4. Supportive Care - Tissing group
   Our focus is to improve supportive care which is needed to help children and their families to cope with their cancer treatment, to increase quality of life and to prevent treatment related mortality. We aim to develop evidence based practical guidelines regarding supportive care topics to support the decision-making of the healthcare professionals. To achieve this goal, current and future research gaps need to be identified and studies to bridge these knowledge gaps will be performed.