Esther de Groot

Background

About Esther de Groot

How to support people, during their lifespan, in informal and collaborative learning, informed by scientific knowledge? This question has been the primary source of inspiration for my career. As an introvert initiator, I bring together, systematically and creatively, people, knowledge, and ideas. Curious and engaged, I transform questions about the development of (upcoming) professionals in the biomedical domain into (research) projects. These projects improve the learning of medical professionals and, as a consequence, contribute to the process of continuing professional development. Since my mid-career PhD in 2012, I have enjoyed working as a medical education researcher. Since 2014, I have led the Programme “Research in the Continuum of Primary Care Education” within the Julius Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht. The programme focuses on studies about (support for) learning and working across boundaries: 1. Social- learning across socio-cultural boundaries in networks of professionals of different disciplines. Learning of professionals who span boundaries between separate work contexts. Learning across the human-technology boundary during telephonic triage conversations. My work involves supervising PhD students (seven completed PhD projects, seven ongoing PhD projects, and several other research projects). Besides, I have consulted on innovative methodologies such as social network analysis and conversation analysis. I’ve contributed to the Ethical Review Board of the Dutch Organisation for Medical Education (NVMO) for several years. From August 2025 on, I will chair the CPD Committee for the Association of Medical Education in Europe (AMEE). The aim of this committee suits me well because I am committed to innovation in CPD and CPD scholarship.