The Rob Giel Research center (RGOc) was founded by the mental health organizations of the provinces of Groningen (Lentis), Friesland and Drenthe, and the University of Groningen. Since December 2000 the center is operating as part of the Department of Psychiatry of University Medical Center Groningen, where it is also situated.

The research center was named after Rob Giel, the emeritus professor. Giel stimulated the psychiatric-epidemiological research in the Netherlands from 1969 till 1995. His involvement and interest are the source of inspiration for the researchers of the Rob Giel Research center.

The Rob Giel Research center aims at high quality research of importance to the mental health practice in the Netherlands as well as abroad. The aim of the center is to stimulate and combine scientific research in the northern mental health organizations to improve treatment of psychiatric patients. The emphasis lies on longitudinal, controlled studies, which focus on (cost) effectiveness and consequences of health interventions.

Staff:
The Rob Giel Research center is led by professor Durk Wiersma. A multi-disciplinary group of 75 staff members, from the Department of Psychiatry as well as from the mental health organizations and consisting of senior and junior researchers, research assistants, physician-researchers and general support personnel including data specialists, are working on the research projects. Medical technology assessment specialists from the University Hospital participate in healthcare efficacy and (cost) effectiveness research and implementation programmes.

Prof. dr. D. (Durk) Wiersma - director [curriculum vitae]
Dr. R.H.S. (Rob) van den Brink - senior researcher
Dr. S. (Sjoerd) Sytema - project leader RoQua
Mrs. Dr. J.T. (Jooske) van Busschbach - senior researcher
Drs. E. (Erwin) Veermans - database manager
Mrs. M. (Martha) Messchendorp - research assistant/PR

For an overview of all researchers related to the Rob Giel Research center please click ‘contact’ in the left column.

Address: Hanzeplein 1 (Triade Building, entrance 24), Groningen, the Netherlands
Postal address: University Medical Center Groningen, Rob Giel Research center, University Center for Psychiatry (CC72), P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
Telephone + 31 50 361 20 79
Fax + 31 50 361 97 22
E-mail rgoc@med.umcg.nl