Project commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment launched:
‘Development of a Clinical-Occupational Medicine/Work-Oriented Oncology Care Model’
Reason and background
Van Weyenberg Motion
The project “Exploration and Development of a Clinical-Occupational Medicine/Work-Oriented Oncology Care Model” was prompted by the broadly supported motion by Van Weyenberg et al., then a member of the House of Representatives for D66. The motion requests the government, by the first quarter of 2021 at the latest, to propose how clinical occupational medicine care can be made an integral part of regular oncology care in more hospitals and how this care can be appropriately financed.
Generic Module on Labor Participation
The project builds on the Generic Module on Labor Participation for medical specialist guidelines recently developed by a broadly composed working group under the auspices of the Knowledge Institute for Medical Specialists (KIMS) (published May 2024). This is also in light of the Healthcare Institute’s position that treatment aimed at restoring functioning and (work) participation is covered by insurance.
Project
Objective/Intended Outcome
The intended outcome of the project is a description of a broadly supported clinical-occupational medicine/work-oriented care model, an accompanying scenario for funding/reimbursement, and an implementation plan for the care model.
Project Organization
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment commissioned the Dutch Association for Clinical Occupational Medicine (NVKA) to carry out the project. For this purpose, the NVKA has formed a partnership with the Knowledge Institute of Medical Specialists (KIMS) and the Dutch Association for Occupational and Occupational Medicine (NVAB). The project team consists of:
Drs. Theo Senden, project leader (NVKA), Dr. Sietske Tamminga, project researcher (AUMC, from June 1, 2024), Yvette Jansen, project assistant, Dr. Dunja Dreessen, senior advisor (KIMS), and Dr. Gijsbert van Lomwel, director of the NVAB. In addition, the following have been appointed as project advisors: Prof. Dr. Rosella Hermens (implementation of care innovation in Oncology and Prof. Dr. Patrick Jeurissen (funding and accessibility of care), both of Radboudumc.
A steering committee has also been established with representatives from, among others, professional associations of professionals from the healthcare and occupational health care domain, from patient associations, associations of hospitals and university medical centers. Cobi Oostveen participates in the steering committee on behalf of the NVKA and Boyd Thijssens represents the NVAB.
Phasing and duration
Phase 1 (Dec. 2023 – Sept. 2024)
Exploration and development of the care model
In this phase, the project team will conduct desk and literature research and interviews and focus group discussions will be held with representatives of many stakeholders in the healthcare, occupational health care, and social domains.
Phase 2 (Oct. 2024 – Jul. 2025)
Exploration and description of Funding scenarios
Based on the information collected in phase 1 and additional research on funding aspects, suitable funding scenarios will be explored and described.
Phase 3 (Aug 2025 – Dec 2025)
Development of care model, appropriate funding scenario and implementation plan
In this phase, the care model and the most appropriate funding scenario will be developed and an implementation plan will be drawn up.
State of affairs
The project team and steering committee have been assembled and launched, and the research and interviews are underway. The project’s principles, concepts, and scope have been established. Funding aspects and other aspects relevant to the implementation plan have also been identified.
The first outlines of a (potential) suitable work-oriented care model are emerging. It is clear that this must align with the dominant developments in the healthcare system resulting from the Integrated Care Agreement. This means that regional, non-linear, and cross-domain collaboration between all involved agencies and professionals in the healthcare, labor/occupational health and safety domains, and the social domain (implementation of the Participation Act) is assumed.
Invitational conference
During an invitational conference on June 25th, opened by outgoing Minister Karien van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment, stakeholders from these domains will be presented with the initial outlines of the care model and its funding aspects. Their feedback will be sought, and they will engage in a cross-domain discussion about bottlenecks and solutions from various perspectives. The outcomes will be used to further develop the care model.
The invitational conference program and explanatory notes are available for information on the NVKA website (Arbeidsgericht zorgmodel (nvka.nl)).
NB: As the name suggests, the invitational conference is for invited guests only .
If you have any questions about the project and/or the invitational conference, please email info@nvka.nl (attn. Theo Senden, project leader).
After the summer, the board will organize an online catch-up session with the project leader for interested parties. You can already express your interest by sending an email to secretariaat@nvka.nl .