RESEARCH

We participate in research programs aimed to improve quality of life of patients

Understanding unmet needs, patient preferences, patient experiences and referral journeys.

Understanding drivers to optimize health management.

Understanding patient perception of clinical trial burden and relevance of proposed outcome measures.

Driven by understanding unmet needs of patients

Patient Centric Research

We participate in research projects to understand how patient engagement might impact quality of life of patients. Over the last years we have worked with several universities and research organisations to increase our  knowledge aiming to identify and understand the drivers of patient empowerment for specific patient populations.

Driven Patient Relevant Outcomes

Understanding drivers which fuel patient empowerment might help the research community to come up with novel initiatives to assist patients in their patient pathway. These drivers will depend on context, patient profile and therapeutic area, including healthcare system.  Together with our research partners, we aim to understand these drivers better to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Some of our research projects

READi - Making Clinical Trials Accessible

The aim of READI is to foster a more holistic, integrated system around clinical studies that will support the inclusion of patients usually underserved and underrepresented, and ultimately transform the way clinical studies are carried out in Europe. 

The project brings together experts from various fields, such as clinical studies, public health, multistakeholder collaboration, and patient engagement as well patient representatives themselves.

EVOSST - Improving access to care in remote areas

EVOSST (Evaluation and Valorization of Social Services for a Sustainable Transition) is a groundbreaking Horizon project that empowers public and private stakeholders to advance social services through cutting-edge research, innovative digital tools (AI and VR), and evidence-based policy frameworks.

By integrating dynamic impact modeling, comprehensive well-being measures, and an enhanced Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology, EVOSST aims to elevate societal well-being, ensure environmental sustainability, and foster inclusive economic growth across Europe.

Pancreas PERT Study

This project is a research project to understand drivers of perceived disease management control for patients on Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT). During a 18 month period, 60 patients with a pancreas resection will be followed while onboarding on PERT. 

The Esperity Health application will be used to understand individual patterns of dose adjustments while starting a PERT treatment. This project is in collaboration with Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Viatris.

COPD PROMPT - predicting exacerbations

This project is an Innoviris funded project in collaboration with the University of Brussels VUB, UZBrussel and Erasme Hospital to develop novel methods to educate patients with COPD on disease management and to predict exacerbations using the Esperity Health app.

Scientific Publications

  • Adoption of Digital Therapeutics in Europe
    Fassbender A, Donde S, Silva M, Friganovic A, Stievano A, Costa E, Winders T, van Vugt J.
    Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2024 Dec 27;20:939‑954. doi: 10.2147/TCRM.S489873. PMID: 39741688. Free PMC article (Review).

  • Interactive or Tailored Digital Interventions to Increase Uptake in Cervical, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer Screening to Reduce Health Inequity: A Systematic Review
    Richardson‑Parry A, Silva M, Valderas JM, Donde S, Woodruff S, van Vugt J.
    Eur J Cancer Prev. 2023 Jul 1;32(4):396‑409. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000796. PMID: 37144585. Free PMC article.

  • Video Interventions for Reducing Health Inequity in Cancer Screening Programmes: A Systematic Review
    Richardson‑Parry A, Silva M, Valderas JM, Donde S, Woodruff S, van Vugt J.
    J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Oct;11(5):2898‑2924. doi: 10.1007/s40615‑023‑01749‑5. PMID: 37603223. Free PMC article (Review).

  • Generational Differences in Healthcare: The Role of Technology in the Path Forward
    Cecconi C, Adams R, Cardone A, Declaye J, Silva M, Vanlerberghe T, Guldemond N, Devisch I, van Vugt J.
    Front Public Health. 2025 Feb 26;13:1546317. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1546317. PMID: 40078753. Free PMC article.

  • Interventions to Reduce Cancer Screening Inequities: The Perspective and Role of Patients, Advocacy Groups, and Empowerment Organizations
    Richardson‑Parry A, Baas C, Donde S, Ferraiolo B, Karmo M, Maravic Z, Münter L, Ricci‑Cabello I, Silva M, Tinianov S, Valderas JM, Woodruff S, van Vugt J.
    Int J Equity Health. 2023 Jan 27;22(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s12939‑023‑01841‑6. PMID: 36707816. Free PMC article.

  • Oral Corticosteroid Use for the Treatment of Chronic Eosinophilic Disease: A Patient’s and His Physician’s Experience
    Silva M, Roufosse F.
    Adv Ther. 2019 Oct;36(10):2558‑2566. doi: 10.1007/s12325‑019‑01070‑w. PMID: 31473972. Free PMC article.

  • Digital Health Tools for Managing Noncommunicable Diseases During and After the COVID‑19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Patients and Caregivers
    Monaco A, Palmer K, Holm Ravn Faber N, Kohler I, Silva M, Vatland A, van Griensven J, Votta M, Walsh D, Clay V, Yazicioglu MC, Ducinskiene D, Donde S.
    J Med Internet Res. 2021 Jan 29;23(1):e25652. doi: 10.2196/25652. PMID: 33464206. Free PMC article.

  • The Role of Collaborative, Multistakeholder Partnerships in Reshaping the Health Management of Patients with Noncommunicable Diseases During and After the COVID‑19 Pandemic
    Monaco A, Casteig Blanco A, Cobain M, Costa E, Guldemond N, Hancock C, Onder G, Pecorelli S, Silva M, Tournoy J, Trevisan C, Votta M, Yfantopoulos J, Yghemonos S, Clay V, Mondello Malvestiti F, De Schaetzen K, Sykara G, Donde S.
    Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021 Oct;33(10):2899‑2907. doi: 10.1007/s40520‑021‑01922‑y. PMID: 34319512. Free PMC article.