Meet Marlou Kluiving - PhD candidate on The Life Goes On study
5 December 2024I grew up in Drenthe and moved to Oregon, America in 2013 to combine my studies with tennis. I completed a Bachelor's degree in Human Physiology and General Science. After that, I came back to the Netherlands to start the Selective Utrecht Medical Master in 2018. I was trained as a physician-researcher and started training as a geriatric specialist in Amsterdam this year. At the same time, I am doing PhD research on the quality of life of people with acquired brain injury at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen.
Why does this position appeal to you?
In the past year, I was the doctor of four residential groups for people with acquired brain injury (ABI). During this work experience, I developed a strong affinity for residents with ABI. The way they deal with life's challenges has touched me and motivated me to dedicate myself to the best possible care for this target group.
Marlou Kluiving - Doctor in training to become a researcher, Het Leven Gaat Verder-study
What are you looking forward to (the most)?
During my research, I will speak to several people with ABI, living in a care institution. I look forward to hearing their stories the most. In this way, I hope to be able to investigate what their quality of life is, but also which factors contribute to a good quality of life. This can help us to better shape the care for people with ABI in the future.
Life Goes On Study
This study looks at the quality of life of people with acquired brain injury who live in a care institution. It will look at how neuropsychiatric symptoms affect quality of life. In addition, attention will be paid to affection and intimacy, a theme that receives little attention in long-term care, but plays a major role in quality of life.
By gaining better insight into the aspects that affect the quality of life, we want to organize care more appropriately in the future.