معرفی
Dr. Jos Runhaar is an Assistant Professor at the Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is a leading researcher in the field of musculoskeletal diseases, with a primary focus on the prevention and early diagnosis of osteoarthritis. He leads a dynamic research group involving 12 PhD students, research assistants, and clinician-researchers, and maintains a strong national and international scientific network.
His research interests center on improving the management of musculoskeletal disorders in primary care settings, particularly among general practitioners and physiotherapists. He aims to shift treatment paradigms toward earlier intervention and primary prevention of osteoarthritis. His work integrates epidemiological methods, clinical diagnostics, and patient-centered outcomes to enhance early detection and effective conservative management.
The recent publications highlight a strong trend in clinical and epidemiological research on osteoarthritis, with specific emphasis on knee and hip osteoarthritis, causal relationships (e.g., obesity and OA), exercise interventions, patient preferences, and imaging-based risk prediction. His research employs advanced methodologies such as Mendelian randomization, causal mediation analysis, discrete choice experiments, and large-scale meta-analyses.
Dr. Runhaar has been recognized with several prestigious scientific awards, including:
- Rising Star Award for Clinical Research (OARSI, 2023)
- FOREUM Clinical Research Award (2022)
- European League Against Rheumatology Training Bursary (2018)
- Honorary Research Fellow (2018)
- ISMRM Trainee Stipend (2017)
- IWOAI Young Investigator Award (2017)
He has secured over €1.5 million in research funding as principal applicant from major organizations such as ZonMw, EULAR, ISAKOS, OARSI, and the Dutch Arthritis Society. He actively supervises multiple PhD students and contributes to academic governance through roles on scientific committees including OARSI’s Research & Training Committee (Chair), Ethics & Governance Committee, and the Scientific Advisory Board for the Dutch Arthritis Society. He also participates in international thesis assessment committees.
Dr. Runhaar’s research is conducted within a collaborative framework involving multiple institutions, as evidenced by his involvement in the World COACH consortium and other international networks. His group focuses on translating research findings into clinical practice in primary care and rehabilitation settings.
