Healthcare in the Netherlands is under great pressure due to an ageing population, high workload and staff shortages. That is why investment is being made in good programmes with a greater focus on prevention and healthy lifestyle to prevent diseases and improve the general health of the population. The “Better Health” programme was developed for this purpose at Radboud University Medical Centre. This programme is now being implemented further in collaboration with the AFAS Foundation, the Arts and Lifestyle Association, the Academic Alliance of Radboud University Medical Centre and Maastricht UMC+. Chairman of the Board Bertijn Lahuis from Radboud University Medical Centre: “The alliance forms a solid basis for further development of the new care programme and for making this innovation possible nationwide in all hospitals in the Netherlands. We work together for a healthy life for all.”
A mix of innovations
The Better Healthy programme includes interactive e-learning in lifestyle medicine and effective conversation for healthcare providers, followed by virtual reality conversation training with simulated patients controlled by artificial intelligence. This training teaches caregivers effective conversation techniques and helps them identify barriers such as debt problems or low literacy. After completing the e-learning for knowledge and the virtual reality conversation training for practical skills, healthcare providers can refer patients via the online Beter Verwijs platform. This platform makes referrals to the paramedical and social field possible. This will be reimbursed.
Hospitals focus on healthy lifestyles
Maastricht UMC+ will roll out the Better Healthy programme from 2025. Steve Cremers, MUMC+ board member and professor of health promotion: “As a centre of academic knowledge and expertise in prevention and vitality, we have traditionally focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle and a healthy living environment in the region. The Better Health programme will enable our healthcare providers to help people stay healthy for as long as possible.” Other participating hospitals in Limburg are Laurentius Hospital, Viktoria Hospital and Zuiderland Hospital. They also see the Better Health programme as the new standard for proactive, prevention-oriented healthcare. A total of eleven hospitals will now be the first to start the programme. This pilot group aims to create a snowball effect so that the Better Health programme is implemented nationwide.
About Better Health
Beter Gezond, in collaboration with partners, offers a preventive platform to support healthcare professionals in providing lifestyle and preventive care to patients.
For more information, see: www.betergezond.nl
