- We optimise, test and validate interventions centred on workable tasks, with a focus on new healthcare staff.
- Objective:
- To ensure the retention of healthcare providers by focusing on workable tasks.
- Fostering cooperation and building relationships among care organisations to enhance their impact and resilience.
Output:
Contact
kathleen.vanroyen@kdg.be
+32 3 613 14 97
- Funding: Interreg
- Care in Connection research centre
- Research duration: 1 May 2023 to 30 May 2026
- Project partners:
- Gouverneur Kinsbergencentrum
- Stichting Fontys
- Antwerp University
- Stichting Tante Louise
- Thomas More Kempen
- Thomas More Mechelen-Antwerp
- Care Innovation Centre West-Brabant Foundation
- Zorggroep Orion
- Stormin BV
The care and welfare industry in Flanders and the Netherlands is grappling with a scarcity of care professionals and other roles, a situation exacerbated by the growing demand for care and the insufficient number of individuals opting for a career in care. Furthermore, there is an immediate requirement for a significant number of replacements among existing care professionals. For instance, in Flanders, one-third of the workforce is over 50, in western part of the Dutch province Noord-Brabant, 36% are above 55, and in the Dutch province Zeeland, the figure rises to 43%.
The imbalance between supply and demand in the healthcare sector is intensifying due to the exodus of healthcare workers and prolonged absences due to illnesses, notably burnout. Hence, it is not just about attracting care professionals, but also about retaining them in their jobs for the longest possible duration.
This project aims to increase the retention of healthcare providers by concentrating on workable tasks (work that doesn't cause illness or stress, that is motivating and stimulating, and provides learning and development opportunities). We also want to foster cooperation and thus build relationships among care organisations to enhance their impact and resilience. Cooperation increases the well-being of healthcare providers and, as a result, the quality of care.
Output
Interventions centred around workable tasks were developed, piloted and partially validated through scientific methods. Specifically, our research centre, Care in Connection, will aid in achieving these objectives through the continued development of Simuleer-Kracht, an intervention aimed at new healthcare professionals. In practical terms, we will refine, evaluate, and validate the insights gained from previous Simuleer-Kracht projects. We will also develop a comprehensive package that consolidates various interventions, including those focused on Team Work and Management.
Researchers

Want to know more, collaborate or have a press enquiry?
You can collaborate with our research centre Care in Connection on topics such as:
- Knowledge and expertise in various fields, from birth to care for the elderly.
- Innovative methods to improve healthcare practices for patients and providers.
Contact us without obligation
- Call +32 3 613 19 29
- E-mail joni.gilissen@kdg.be