Ruben van Merweland

Ruben van Merweland is a researcher at Erasmus MC in the Department of Psychiatry, actively contributing to research on kidney transplantation, healthcare access, and stakeholder engagement. His work bridges clinical medicine, public health, and health policy, with a strong emphasis on qualitative methodologies.

His research interests center on identifying and overcoming systemic and social barriers to timely kidney transplantation. Key areas include stakeholder perspectives, language barriers, social support, and policy development. He employs qualitative research designs to understand complex healthcare ecosystems and improve patient access to life-saving treatments.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on kidney transplantation access, using qualitative and systems-based approaches. Themes include stakeholder collaboration, policy implementation, induced demand in renal therapy, and innovative models like the business ecosystem approach to solve access issues.

• Strategies to address perceived barriers to timely kidney transplantation in the Netherlands: A qualitative study from a stakeholders' perspective (2023)
• Paving the way for solutions improving access to kidney transplantation: a qualitative study from a multistakeholder perspective (2023)
• Factors influencing access to kidney transplantation (FIAT): a business ecosystem approach as a solution (2023)
• Induced demand in kidney replacement therapy (2022)

Ruben van Merweland has collaborated with researchers such as J. Busschbach, J. van de Wetering, and S. Ismail. His work has been cited in policy sources and has influenced discussions on clinical guidelines and patient referral practices. Though no formal grants are listed, his research has received academic recognition through peer-reviewed publications and open-access dissemination. He completed his doctoral thesis in 2023, marking a significant milestone in his academic career.

While no specific lab or research team is named in the text, his work appears to be part of a broader interdisciplinary effort within Erasmus MC focused on improving outcomes in nephrology and transplantation through qualitative and policy-relevant research.