R.M. (Rosanne) Smits, PhD

As a postdoctoral researcher in Medical Psychology, I am driven by a passion to improve psychosocial care for children with chronic and rare diseases. My current work at Radboudumc and Erasmus MC focuses on therapeutic communication, patient empowerment, and reducing psychosocial vulnerability in pediatric care. I collaborate with international networks, develop research agendas, and supervise students with the aim of translating insights into practical improvements in healthcare. 

My expertise lies in health and medical psychology, with a special focus on psychosocial care in pediatric populations, therapeutic communication, and the application of placebo mechanisms in clinical practice. I have experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating scientific insights into healthcare innovations. 

I hold a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology from Erasmus University Rotterdam and completed my PhD in Health, Medical and Neuropsychology at Leiden University and UMC Utrecht. My PhD research focused on optimizing placebo effects in pediatric rheumatology, combining clinical trials, experimental paradigms, and communication strategies. 

Throughout my career, I have worked across academic hospitals and research centers, including Radboudumc, Amalia Children’s Hospital, and Erasmus MC. I have led international initiatives on the psychosocial impact of rare diseases, conducted research on therapeutic communication, and contributed to innovations in child and adolescent mental health care.

Smits, R. M., Aerts, A., Angelov, T., Bentele, M., de Blaauw, I., Dellenmark-Blom, M., Duijts, S. F. A., Fjermestad, K., Grano, C., Hendriks, S., Inhestern, L., Kenny, T., von der Lippe, C., Oomen, L., Rake, J. P., Rietman, A. B., van Rooij, I. A. L. M., Verhaak, C. M., Voet, N. B. M., Walton, H., van Zelst-Stams, W., Kwakkenbos, L. (under review). Addressing psychosocial vulnerability in rare diseases: A call to action from an international expert consensus study. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 

Aarts, L. A. M., van Geffen, G. J., Smedema, E. A. L., Smits, R. M. (2023). Therapeutic communication improves patient comfort during venipuncture in children: A single-blinded intervention study. European Journal of Pediatrics (2023): 1-11. 

Smits, R. M., Vissers, E., Te Pas, R., Roebbers, N., Feitz, W. F., van Rooij, I. A., de Blaauw, I. & Verhaak, C. M. (2022). Common needs in uncommon conditions: a qualitative study to explore the need for care in pediatric patients with rare diseases. Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 17(1), 1-9.  

Smits, R. M., Veldhuijzen, D. S., Van Middendorp, H., Van Der Heijden, M. J., Van Dijk, M., & Evers, A. W. (2021). Integrating Placebo Effects in General Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey to Investigate Perspectives From Health Care Professionals in the Netherlands. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12.  

Smits, R. M., Veldhuijzen, D. S., Olde Hartman, T., Peerdeman, K. J., Van Vliet, L. M., Van Middendorp, H., ... & Evers, A. W. (2021). Explaining placebo effects in an online survey study: Does ‘Pavlov’ring a bell?. PloS one, 16(3), e0247103. 

Smits, R. M. (2021). Optimizing placebo effects in medical contexts: utilizing learning theories and exploring communication strategies (Doctoral dissertation, Leiden University). view (universiteitleiden.nl) 

Smits, R. M., Veldhuijzen, D. S., van Middendorp, H., Hissink Muller, P. C., Armbrust, W., Legger, E., ... & Evers, A. W. (2020). Pharmacological conditioning for juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a potential solution to reduce methotrexate intolerance. Pediatric Rheumatology, 18(1), 1-7.  

Smits, R. M., Veldhuijzen, D. S., Wulffraat, N. M., & Evers, A. W. (2018). The role of placebo effects in immune-related conditions: mechanisms and clinical considerations. Expert review of clinical immunology, 14(9), 761-770 

In addition to my research activities, I was actively involved in teaching and supervising students at both Bachelor’s, Master’s levels, and PhD candidates. My teaching included supervising theses on topics such as placebo effects, rare diseases, and medical communication, as well as tutoring Psychology students in Academic and Professional skills such as scientific writing, conversation techniques, and assessment methods. 

• Board Member – European Reference Network (ERN) eUROGEN 
  Involved in developing workstreams for patient empowerment and psychosocial support in rare urogenital diseases. 
• Organizer and Host – Rare Together Workshop, European Joint Programme of Rare Diseases 
  Lead the organization of a two-day workshop focused on mental health in rare diseases. 

•  2023 – ZonMW DoelmatigheidsOnderzoek Stimuleringssubsidie (€10,000) 
•  2022 – European Joint Programme of Rare Diseases, Research Training Workshop (€25,000) 

• Connect2Grow-up: Exploring how parenthood can be addressed for children of parents with mental illness, using qualitative methods like interviews and network sessions with healthcare providers. 
• Psychosocial Support for Rare Diseases: Coordinating international platforms to reduce psychosocial vulnerability for families with children suffering from rare diseases. 
• Psychosocial Vulnerability in Rare Diseases: Developing research agendas, conducting qualitative studies, and empowering patients through international collaboration. 
• Placebo Effects in Pediatrics: Exploring how placebo effects can be optimized in clinical settings for pediatric diseases like juvenile idiopathic arthritis (e.g by therapeutic communication). 

• eUROGEN: European Reference Network for urogenital diseases. 
• Radboud University Medical Center: Working on projects related to rare diseases and psychosocial support for affected families. 
• EURORDIS Mental Health Partnershop Network