Koen Westen

Koen Westen serves as a Lecturer-Researcher at Avans University of Applied Sciences' End-of-Life Care research group since June 2019, affiliated with the Academy for Healthcare in Breda and 's-Hertogenbosch. He lectures across multiple programs including the Mental Health Nurse Specialist program in Utrecht and Healthcare Quality and Safety Advisor program, while contributing to European mental healthcare quality initiatives through EuComs.

His educational background includes:

• Nursing and Public Health Mental Health at predecessors of Avans University of Applied Sciences
• Master's degree in Social Work and Innovation

Specializing in high-quality care for severe mental illnesses, Westen's research emphasizes care coordination between social services and mental healthcare, community-based outpatient systems, and palliative care integration. His work bridges practical methodology development like the FACT scale and ZAG framework with lived-experience approaches to treatment.

As vice-chair of CCAF (Committee for Quality Development in Mental Healthcare), he drives national quality standards while representing European interests through EuComs membership. His independent consultancy extends this quality development work to international mental healthcare organizations, focusing on systemic implementation of evidence-based practices.