An overview of concept mapping in Dutch mental health care.
About 25 years ago, concept mapping was introduced in the Netherlands and applied in different fields. A collection of concept mapping projects conducted in the Netherlands was identified, in part in the archive of the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos Institute). Some of the 90 identified projects are internationally published. The 90 concept mapping projects reflect the changes in mental health care and can be grouped into 5-year periods and into five typologies. The studies range from conceptualizing the problems of the homeless to the specification of quality indicators for treatment programs for patients with cystic fibrosis. The number of concept mapping projects has varied over time. Growth has been considerable in the last 5 years compared to the previous 5 years. Three case studies are described in detail with 12 characteristics and graphical representations. Concept mapping aligns well with the typical Dutch approach of the "Poldermodel." A broad introduction of concept mapping in European countries in cooperation with other countries, such as the United States and Canada, would strengthen the empirical basis for applying this approach in health care policy, quality, and clinical work.
Senior Research Psychologist Arkin, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: udo.nabitz@xs4all.nl.
Udo
U
Nabitz
Research employee of Minds21, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Carlijn
C
van Randeraad-van der Zee
Senior Staff, Parnassia Group, Dijk en Duin, Castricum, The Netherlands.
Ineke
I
Kok
Senior Researcher, Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Tilburg, The Netherlands; Senior Researcher, Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Marja
M
van Bon-Martens
Director of Minds21, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Peter
P
Serverens
D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D036262:Empirical Research; D006126:Group Processes; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009426:Netherlands; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012107:Research Design
Concept mapping; Mental health in the Netherlands; Planning and evaluation; Policy and management; Quality of mental health care; Theory building