[More science in psychiatry]

Abstract

In 1999 the Advisory Council on Health Research reported that research in mental health care in the Netherlands was poorly developed in comparison to other medical disciplines. In response, The Netherlands organization for health research and development (ZonMw) initiated a euro 24 million stimulation programme over a 10-year period, which started in 2003. Long-term follow-up studies were initiated for anxiety and depressive disorders (NESDA), psychotic disorders (GROUP) and child psychiatric disorders (TRAILS, Generation R). In addition, 41 practice-oriented projects and 35 PhD projects were funded. The programme has resulted in four unique databases, a multitude of additional grants and a large number of international publications and PhD theses. Perhaps more importantly, many clinical practitioners had the opportunity to participate in research projects and to develop a more critical and evidence-based attitude. The programme demonstrates that financial stimulation can effectively improve the practitioner's evidence-based attitude.