Prof.dr. T.P.M. (Thea) Vliet Vlieland

After completing my physiotherapy and medicine training, I worked as a doctor at the Rheumatology Clinic Sole Mio in Noordwijk. There, at the Rheumatology department of the LUMC, I started my PhD research into multidisciplinary care, which I completed in 1996. Since then, I have remained affiliated with the LUMC as a researcher and worked in the departments of Medical Decision Making, Rheumatology and Orthopedics. I have been a professor since 2013, with a focus on Efficiency of Rehabilitation Processes. Together with a team of researchers, we aim to provide insight into the added value of rehabilitation processes for the patient and, where necessary or desirable, to improve their quality and accessibility.
Many different healthcare providers are often involved in rehabilitation processes. That is why, in addition to my appointment at the LUMC, I am affiliated with Basalt Revalidatie, The Hague/Leiden and Leiden University of Applied Sciences, Physiotherapy course.

My research focuses on improving the quality and accessibility of such multidisciplinary care, which is often at different places (hospital, rehabilitation center, primary care). An example of this is the research into long-term exercise therapy for people with inflammatory arthritis and serious limitations in daily functioning (2020-2024). The results of this research find their way to policymakers in the field of financing this form of care.
The research is embedded in the LUMC theme Prevention and Lifestyle.
I am an honorary member of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR). I received the Rheumatology Medal from the Dutch Association for Rheumatology (2018), Distinguished Scholar Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, American College of Rheumatology (2008), the National Rheumatism Prize (Dutch Arthritis Association 2004) and the Prof.dr. J. Goslings Prize (Dutch Society for Rheumatology 1997).