Healthcare Centre Radesingel Groningen

Healthcare Centre Radesingel Groningen 

Many international residents and students in the Netherlands experience confusion when they try to access healthcare. The Dutch healthcare system — with its focus on self-care, the role of general practitioners (GPs) as “gatekeepers,” and distinctions between the first, second, and third lines of care — often differs greatly from what people are used to abroad. 

At Healthcare centre Radesingel, staff regularly encounter international patients who are unsure why they can’t directly see a specialist, why antibiotics aren’t prescribed easily, or why appointments are sometimes declined. These misunderstandings lead to frustration for both patients and healthcare staff. 

The centre would like to improve its communication towards this international audience and to support its staff (especially assistants and front-desk employees) in handling such situations more effectively. 

Your assignment is to develop a communication concept that helps international patients better understand how the Dutch healthcare system works and reduces friction in communication between patients and staff. 

 Your plan should be based on research into the target group (international residents/students aged 18–25) and the current communication practices of the healthcare centre. Possible activities: 

• Investigate what international students or young professionals already know — and misunderstand — about the Dutch healthcare system. 

• Analyse existing communication materials (website, leaflets, signage, etc.) and identify key pain points in communication. 

• Translate your findings into insights that will guide your communication strategy. 

In the end we would like student to develop a communication concept and relevant products, like a short explainer video or social media series, a redesigned information page or leaflet, a short training module for assistants on intercultural communication or a a combination of tools.  

Extra information 

We ask students to work at least one day a week at the Healthcare centre in order to better understand the organisation and the (communication) problem they face.  

This assignment can be done individually or in a group of 2-3 students.