#12 Tineke Abma: Redefining research - the power of sitting next to, not in front of people

In this episode, we welcome Tineke Abma, a professor of arts and health at Erasmus University and Leiden Medical Center and executive director of Leiden Academy on Vitality and Aging. Tineke shares her fascinating experiences and insights on participatory research, particularly with older adults and people with disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of experiential knowledge and collaboration in making research relevant and impactful. This implies seeing people as a whole and creating a level playing field by sitting next to them rather than sitting in front of them and asking questions. For example, taking nursing home residents seriously and involving them as co-researchers, sharing uncertainties, and collaboratively seeking solutions are crucial for building trustful relationships. Listen to this inspiring episode to learn more about how creative methods, working with artists, and collaboration with stakeholders can positively change healthcare and research agendas. 

Read the transcript

Chapters

• Introduction to Tineke Abma and her work
• Stepping into the field, engaging patients and other stakeholders in research
• Participatory research with spinal cord injury patients
• Empowerment through collaboration, broadening research agendas    
• Improving a nursing home with the older residents as co-researchers
• Sitting next to people, creative methods to build trustful relationships
• Researching with artists to mirror and honour emotions

More information

• Tineke Abma

• Article on epistemic injustice, by Groot, Haveman & Abma 2020
• Article Social impact of participatory health research, by Abma et al. 2017
• Article Patients as partners in responsive research, by Abma et al. 2009
• Article Dialogue and Deliberation. New Approaches to including patients in setting health and healthcare research agenda, by Abma 2018