drs. M.J. Oude Wolcherink (Martijn)

During my studies in technical medicine and health sciences, I discovered I would like to commit myself to improving our healthcare system. I believe the saying "prevention is better than cure" is very relevant for healthcare, especially within the field of cardiovascular disease. This is also the main theme of my PhD track, as I am involved in three studies that focus on early detection or screening of cardiovascular disease. Within these studies, I work on the health economic evaluation of the clinical trial and developing a simulation model to extrapolate follow up results to lifetime outcomes. Below each study is shortly summarised.

CONCRETE focusses on availability of CT-based calcium scoring in the first-line care to adequately diagnose coronary artery disease in individuals with aspecific angina pectoris or atypical chest discomfort.

EARLY SYNERGY is the second stage in a 2-stage screeningsprogram. In the first stage screening with a CT-based calcium score in asymptomatic individuals is performed. In EARLY SYNERGY, the impact of detection of ischaemia by subsequent stress MRI as indicator for preventive invasive treatment in individuals with high CT-calcium score is studied.

In RED-CVD, a screening strategy for cardiovascular disease is developed for COPD and diabetes patients. A newly developed questionnaire will indicate which patients require further cardiovascular diagnostics.

Organisations

• Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), Health Technology & Services Research (HTSR)