New member: Bärbel van den Berg – Medisch Spectrum Twente

My name is Bärbel van den Berg. Since 2014, I have been working as a clinical physicist at Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST), in Enschede. Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) is one of the largest top clinical teaching hospitals with a regional trauma function. In MST, 3500 employees are committed to promoting health in the Twente region in close collaboration with its regional healthcare partners. MST is part of Santeon, the hospital group of seven top clinical hospitals that aims to improve medical care through continuous innovation. Through the Santeon Value Based Health Care (VBHC) program, we compare outcomes and processes of more than fifteen care pathways. In this way, we learn from each other and improve the care for our patients. Some medical specialists in MST work closely with the University of Twente on education, training and research and jointly develop technological innovations. A number of specialists are affiliated with the UT as professors, which offers unique opportunities in the field of (technological) medical research for MST. MST also has a number of centers of expertise, including: Treatment of chronic and acute intestinal ischemia (MDL), Cardiac arrhythmias (Cardiology) and Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Epilepsy (Neurology). In short, MST offers plenty of challenges, especially in the field of medical technology.

Stationed at the Medical Technology department, I work as a clinical physicist in almost all departments in the hospital. My areas of interest are in the field of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. In my role as a clinical physicist and as a radiation protection expert, I am closely involved in the nuclear medicine department, where I deal with both the quality and safety of equipment, radioactive substances and the safety and optimization of patient care. In addition, I am responsible for the electromagnetic fields (EMF) portfolio. This includes, for example, the safety aspects of medical equipment in relation to electromagnetic interference and compatibility. But also the safety of employees who may come into contact with EMF. In 2019, MST became a partner (including with the University of Twente) in a European project on risk management of electromagnetic fields. In this project, academia and practice come together in the field of medical technology.