Exercise Care in The Hague Region: a Smooth Transfer (Professional Doctorate)

This Professional Doctorate (PD) programme in Health & Wellbeing focuses on the question of how stakeholders involved in the transfer of exercise by rehabilitants can jointly change their approach to optimally support people in the Haaglanden region, after an intensive rehabilitation trajectory at Basalt, in finding and continuing to use a suitable exercise/sports offer in their own living environment? 

What is a PD track? 

In 2023, universities of applied sciences started a pilot for their own doctoral pathway in 2023: the Professional Doctorate. This introduces a new higher education pathway that pushes the boundaries of professional practice. Candidates are trained to become highly qualified professionals who learn to intervene and innovate in complex practices such as energy transition or healthcare. 

To start a PD pathway, you must hold a master's degree, have relevant work experience and practice insights, and work in a relevant setting, research or education. After applying, candidates go through a detailed selection process. The PD pilot currently running will continue for seven years and was launched by the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences in Collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Regieorgaan SIA. 

The research 

Exercise is good for one’s health thus also for (former) patients and people with disabilities. Many good initiatives are available to encourage people to exercise, but in healthcare and in the world of sports and exercise and/or well-being, these initiatives are not (yet) properly connected. In addition, funding is often temporary and does not reach everyone. As a result, there is no smooth transfer of exercise from therapeutic exercise in care facilities to independent exercise in the home environment. National statistics show that this target group exercises significantly less. National statistics show that this target group exercises significantly less than people without physical limitations (Mulier Institute 2023). The positive effects of exercise are not yet fully utilised.

The main focus here is on the transfer of exercise by residents of The Hague who have been rehabilitating at Basalt Rehabilitation. We are mapping the exercise initiatives that already exist and exploring how to connect them. This is done in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including ex-rehabilitators of Basalt, municipality of The Hague, Basalt, Sportbelang SGK, Bewegen werkt and ROC Mondriaan. 

Funding and duration 

The PD programme is funded by The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Regieorgaan SIA, and runs from July 2024 to July 2029

Collaboration

This PD pathway works closely together with the project ‘beweegreiskompas’ (exercise travel compass) (ZonMw grant: MOOI in beweging). Where researchers from The Hague University of Applied Sciences work together with UMC Groningen, Beweeghuis, Amsterdam UMC, Maastricht University, Inholland University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam, Hanzehogeschool Groningen and HZ University of Applied Sciences nationwide to optimise exercise travel. The Exercise Travel Compass conducts local action research in the regions of Amsterdam, Drenthe, Haaglanden and Zeeland. Best practices are evaluated in national, overarching research. 

Final product 

Ultimately, this project will result in a toolbox which provides concrete tools to achieve a smooth transfer of exercises, the 'Beweegreiskompas’ (Exercise transfer compass). 

Contact 

Sander Houdijk ([email protected])