Nivel

Netherlands Institute for health services research

About Nivel

Nivel provides the knowledge to improve healthcare in the Netherlands. This is achieved by doing useful and independent scientific research into themes of great social importance. Research questions are derived from practice and from science.

Nivel examines the quality and effectiveness of healthcare and the related social domain. We examine this from three perspectives: that of the patient receiving care, the various care providers and the organizations and policymakers in the field of care. By connecting these perspectives, we provide complete answers to the many issues that exist in healthcare.

The creation of connections between themes and with cooperation partners, between science and practice, is an important part of our work. We pay a lot of attention to the communication with our clients and the people who apply our recommendations in practice.

Working at Nivel

About a hundred scientists at Nivel are examining all kinds of aspects of the Dutch healthcare system. In addition, approximately sixty people work in support functions. It is important to us that employees enjoy working here. There is an open and collegial culture, with room for personal development. In addition to an attractive salary, Nivel also offers flexible employment conditions for a work-life balance. All employees are subject to Nivel's Legal Status Regulation (RPR). This RPR is derived from the VVT Collective Labor Agreement.

Opportunities for development

Nivel is a research institute with career opportunities. The personnel policy focuses on the development of all the employees. PhD researchers are given the opportunity to develop their own specialism. In consultation with senior researchers and program coordinators, we create a tailor-made development plan with ample education and training opportunities. All researchers take part in the Scientific Consultation, in which they receive feedback on their research and learn from each other. Supporting professionals can also develop in the depth of their profession. We offer internal courses and workshops.

There is always a group of junior researchers and interns working at Nivel. It is interesting for them to work at an institute that carries out applicable scientific research. A dozen professors contribute specific expertise and scientific experience in various fields of research; through their presence at Nivel, junior researchers can obtain a PhD in their research.

Junior researchers can also participate in the Talent Development Program (TOP). We encourage them to use their time at Nivel as useful as possible and to think about their careers. Through an active training program, we ensure that our researchers are able to cope with the high quality requirements.

Nivel research

Nivel researchers gather, analyze and synthesize data and information to gain knowledge and insight about the quality and effectiveness of health care delivery and related social services, both in the Netherlands and in Europe. Within our research domains (patients, healthcare professionals and organizations, and healthcare system) there are eleven thematic areas. These theme areas are described in the 2018-2021 research program. This program includes information about our research plans, our motivation and a specific description of our themes, existing knowledge gaps, key questions for the future and the link we make between science, policy and practice.

How do we monitor the quality of our research?

We carefully monitor the scientific quality of our research. We follow current national and international standards and codes of conduct for scientific research. This is how Nivel endorses the Dutch code of conduct on scientific integrity. This code will apply to research conducted by Nivel with effect from 1 December 2018. Research that started before is covered by Nivel’s code of conduct for scientific practice.

We have our own quality system with procedures and work instructions to guarantee the quality of the research process. Nivel has a scientific researchers' meeting in which juniors and seniors discuss the structure of research proposals, reports and other publications in order to improve their quality and to stimulate good research.

ISO certification

Nivel has been certified according to the ISO-9001 standards since 1999. This means that, as an institute, we meet a number of quality requirements with regard to our core processes, the organization, the people in the organization and partners. An external audit is assessed annually.