Research in Co-Creation

Research in Co-Creation

Cardiology; Circuits and Systems, Delft University of Technology

There is an urgent need for greater knowledge of the occurrence and treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common progressive heart rhythm disorder in the world. To improve communication between patients, family members, researchers, engineers, paramedics and physicians, two researchers at the Medical Delta Cardiac Arrhythmia lab, Professors Natasja de Groot and Bianca Brundel, set up the AF Innovation Platform Foundation (AFIP) in 2016. The aim is to improve knowledge and therapy for atrial fibrillation through co-creation with patients.

The AFIP website has blogs and videos in which researchers talk about their findings. Patients also share accounts of their experience of atrial fibrillation, and help researchers gain a better understanding of this disorder through polls and online surveys. AFIP also organises public engagement activities such as brainstorming sessions and an annual meeting to promote co-creation of studies. All stakeholders are able to speak at the meeting, so that symptoms, new measurement technologies, treatments, and challenges can be discussed.

The grant from the Rewarded! Fund will make it possible to set up new projects with patients so as to increase our understanding of atrial fibrillation and to work together to find solutions. Patients can thus be empowered so they can participate and be on an equal footing with researchers and health professionals.

Websites:
AFIP online.org
YouTube-kanaal AFIP
Medical delta – Onderzoek: Geleidingsstoornissen van het hart komt al voor bij zeer jonge kinderen

Coordinator:
Natasja de Groot, hoogleraar

Other group members:
Bianca Brundel, hoogleraar
Umut Komus, universitair hoofddocent
Lisa Pool, voedingsdeskundige
Nawit Ramdan Nasir, arts in opleiding
Kennedy Silva Ramos, onderzoeker in opleiding
Stan van Wijk, onderzoeker in opleiding
Mathijs van Schie, technisch geneeskundige
Allejan van der Veen, hoogleraar
Wouter Serdijn, hoogleraar
Richard Hendriks, universitair hoofddocent