Photo of Cecilia Heijkants

Cecilia Heijkants

Postdoc

My research aims to contribute to better (long-term) care for all involved, by employing diverse methodologies and by actively engaging those involved to ensure comprehensive and inclusive outcomes.

Dedicated to Advancing Healthcare

The common thread in my research has been the healthcare sector.

In this sector a lot of valuable work is been done by healthcare professionals, but there is still a lot to gain. This can be done by improving the experience for the receiver of care (patient perspective), or a close relative or family member (informal care giving perspective), or when providing care (the formal care giving perspective), or the organisation of the system (organizational/work perspective).

Value In Various Research Methods

With my interdisciplinary background in Social Sciences, I have been trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Both of these methodologies are represented in my work and I believe in the value of each approach and recognize their respective strengths and limitations. In my latest work, I have conducted one-on-one interviews, performed a systematic literature search, designed and implemented a team-level participatory workplace approach and carried out a randomized controlled trial with both effect- and process evaluations.

CV

Academic and Work Experience

2019 - 2024: PhD in Social Sciences, Radboud University

2016 - 2019: Researcher at Program on Aging, Trimbos-Institute for Mental Health

2015 - 2016: Master of Science, Contemporary Social Problems, Utrecht University

2012 - 2015: Bachelor of Science, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Utrecht University

Publications

2026

Annika Taghizadeh Larsson, Anna Olaison, Lars-Christer Hydén, Mattias Antar, Ceciel Heijkants, Jimmy Lindberg, Sofia Nordmark, Veronika Wallroth, Susanne Kelfve (2026) Aging in Place - A mixed methods study protocol of how care providers in Sweden organise and adapt granted home care services to the preferences and needs of people living with dementia PLOS ONE, Vol. 21, Article e0349278 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349278

Research

Organisation