Johan Bilsen
Biographic Data
| ID | 106290 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Johan Bilsen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Johan |
| FAMILY NAME | Bilsen |
| SIGNATURE | BILSEN J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Vrije Universiteit Brussel |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8371-4612 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 40 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 74 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 40 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Sex workers’ experiences of access to healthcare in Flanders, Belgium
Previous research has established that sex workers have specific health needs and face significant obstacles in meeting them. This study explored the experiences of sex workers in Flanders regarding their access to healthcare and sought to identify key barriers and facilitators. Following Belgium's decriminalisation of sex work in 2022, the study also aimed to explore how this policy change was reflected in sex workers' experiences and perception…
Professional mental health aid for children, adolescents, and young adults during Covid-19 in Flanders, Belgium
Few studies have investigated whether children, adolescents, and young adults (aged 10–25 years) had access to professional mental health aid when they desired it during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An online survey was conducted in Flanders, Belgium, to examine professional mental health aid access (PMHAA). In total, 982 respondents were included, of whom the majority were between 13 and 15 years old (44.8%) and female (81.4…
The psychosocial aid response after the 22/03/2016 attacks in Belgium
Introduction: After the terrorist attacks, early psychosocial care is provided to people considered at risk of developing mental health issues due to the attacks. Despite the clear importance of such early intervention, there is very few data on how this is registered, who is targeted, and whether target-recipients accept such aid. Methods: Using registry data from the Centre General Wellbeingwork (CAW), a collection of centers in the regions Bru…
Trauma Exposure, Social Support and Mental Health in the General Population in Belgium
Introduction: International research has shown that trauma exposure can lead to mental health disorders and affect social support. However, there is little insight into trauma exposure and its related issues in the general population of Belgium. Methods: Secondary cross-sectional data on the general adult population were retrieved from the Belgian Health Interview Survey. Using a representative sample, data were collected on trauma exposure in th…
A day in the life
Emergency responding to terrorist attacks has many different dimensions of events that can cause stress. Our study revealed that preparation is key, not only in terms of material but also in terms of ethics and debriefings
Threat through the Screen? Association between Proximity and/or Watching Media Coverage of a Terrorist Attack and Health
Media-watching is associated with acute health reactions after terrorist attacks. However, the direction of the relationship is unclear, as it might also be that people with health issues seek out more media
Body Image, Medication Use, and Mental Health among Women with Fibromyalgia in Flanders, Belgium
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic illness that does not have clear physical consequences, yet research shows that FM patients often have a low body image. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in Flanders, Belgium, among FM women who are connected to the Flemish League for fibromyalgia patients. An adjusted Body Image Scale (BIS) was used to assess body image, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used for mental health, and the V…
Intimacy in Psychotherapy
Working experiences of airport employees after a terrorist attack in Belgium
Sexual Feelings Toward Clients in the Psychotherapeutic Relationship
Talking about sexual feelings toward clients is still difficult for many mental health professionals. This is unfortunate, because exploring and talking about these feelings with peers (especially senior ones) or supervisors can help professionals to recognize, acknowledge, accept, and handle these feelings well. This focus group study explores the various factors that contribute to psychotherapists’ hesitancy to talk about these feelings. The an…
Victims of the Terrorist Attacks in Belgium and Professional Mental Health Aid Barriers
Introduction: Terrorist attacks can cause short and long-term stress-reactions, anxiety, and depression among those exposed. Sometimes, professional mental health aid, meaning all types of professional psychotherapy, would be appropriate, but victims often delay or never access mental health aid, even up to a decade after the initial event. Little is known about the barriers terrorist-victims encounter when they try to access professional mental …
Care and support for youth living with HIV/Aids in secondary schools
Despite the limited care and support strategies specific for YLWHA currently available in schools, our study points to optimism and high potential given stakeholders' identified avenues for improvement. We posit that promoting HIV/AIDS-care and support in schools is a gradual process requiring each school to develop a strong knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and support needs of YLWHA, develop a coherent and school-wide approach, and collaborate exte…
Association Between Feeling Threatened, Behaviour and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
HIV-Related Stigma Among Youth Living With HIV in Western Uganda
We present an explanatory theory for HIV-related stigma from the perspectives of youth living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) in Western Uganda, on which the fight against this relentless stigma in this age group and locality can be founded. A constant comparative method was used to analyze textual data from in-depth interviews with 35 YLWHA, selected from three health facilities. A stigma process model for YLWHA was developed with the stigmatizing feeling…
Preventing Conflicts Between Nurses and Families of a Multi-ethnic Patient Population During Critical Medical Situations in a Hospital
Introduction: Little is known about how to avoid intercultural nurse–family conflicts in critical care settings. In this article, strategies are discussed that may be useful to prevent or mitigate intercultural nurse–family conflicts during critical medical situations in hospital. Method: Strategies are based on an ethnographic study by Van Keer et al., other literature, and expert opinion. Results: Sufficient structural measures are needed. Firs…
Experiences and perceptions of youth living with HIV in Western Uganda on school attendance
Most of the barriers reported arose from HIV-related stigma and financial challenges whose genesis transcends school boundaries. While YLWHA reported measures to cope, and support from other people, these were non-sustainable and on a limited scale due to disclosure apprehension at school and the indiscretion of those who learnt about their status. To promote supportive school environments for YLWHA, integrated curricular and extracurricular inte…
Questions and Emotions of Minors After Terrorist Attacks
Attending school after treatment for a brain tumor
Reintegration into school is a milestone for childhood brain tumor survivors, as well as for their parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. We explored their experiences following the school re-entry by conducting semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in four main themes: "school performance," "psychosocial well-being," "support and approach," and "communication and collaboration." Children were pleased to return to school de…
Youth living with HIV/Aids in secondary schools
As Youth Living With HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) continue to survive and live with HIV chronically due to effective Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), it is paramount to work toward maximising their psychosocial wellbeing. The school where these YLWHA are expected to spend most of their time is an excellent environment to investigate this. In this study, we explore perspectives of Peer Educators (PEs) in secondary schools of one district in Western Uganda on how…
Suicide and Youth
Suicide occurs more often in older than in younger people, but is still one of the leading causes of death in late childhood and adolescence worldwide. This not only results in a direct loss of many young lives, but also has disruptive psychosocial and adverse socio-economic effects. From the perspective of public mental health, suicide among young people is a main issue to address. Therefore we need good insight in the risk factors contributing …
Perceptions of Stigma and Discrimination in Health Care Settings Towards Sub-Saharan African Migrant Women Living With Hiv/Aids in Belgium
Stigma and discrimination within health care settings remain a public health challenge across diverse cultural environments and may have deleterious effects on mental and physical health. This study explores the causes, forms and consequences of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among migrant sub-Saharan African women living with HIV in Belgium. A qualitative study was conducted with 44 HIV-positive sub-Saharan African migrant women between A…
The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners
Linking numbers to perceptions and experiences
Today, more and more problems that scientists need to tackle are complex problems. Many examples of these can be found in the health sciences, medicine and ecology. Typical features of complex problems are that they cannot be studied by one discipline and that they need to take into account subjective data as well as objective data. Two promising responses to deal with complex problems are Transdisciplinary and Mixed Method approaches. However, t…
The use of purposeful sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of qualitative evidence syntheses papers are found in health care literature. Many of these syntheses use a strictly exhaustive search strategy to collect articles, mirroring the standard template developed by major review organizations such as the Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration. The hegemonic idea behind it is that non-comprehensive samples in systematic reviews may introduce selection bias. However, exhaust…
An Auto-Ethnographic Study of the Disembodied Experience of a Novice Researcher Doing Qualitative Cancer Research
Qualitative health researchers who explore individuals' experiences of illness are exposed to an emotionally demanding work environment. After doing 49 interviews with cancer patients living alone, I was confronted with serious emotional distress that kept me from my work for almost 6 months. Because there is a need for discussion within academia about the emotional risks encountered by researchers, I used auto-ethnography to explore what I call …
European public acceptance of euthanasia
An Auto-Ethnographic Study of the Disembodied Experience of a Novice Researcher Doing Qualitative Cancer Research
Qualitative health researchers who explore individuals' experiences of illness are exposed to an emotionally demanding work environment. After doing 49 interviews with cancer patients living alone, I was confronted with serious emotional distress that kept me from my work for almost 6 months. Because there is a need for discussion within academia about the emotional risks encountered by researchers, I used auto-ethnography to explore what I call …
Cultural differences affecting euthanasia practice in Belgium
Questions and Emotions of Minors After Terrorist Attacks
Youth living with HIV/Aids in secondary schools
As Youth Living With HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) continue to survive and live with HIV chronically due to effective Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), it is paramount to work toward maximising their psychosocial wellbeing. The school where these YLWHA are expected to spend most of their time is an excellent environment to investigate this. In this study, we explore perspectives of Peer Educators (PEs) in secondary schools of one district in Western Uganda on how…
Linking numbers to perceptions and experiences
Today, more and more problems that scientists need to tackle are complex problems. Many examples of these can be found in the health sciences, medicine and ecology. Typical features of complex problems are that they cannot be studied by one discipline and that they need to take into account subjective data as well as objective data. Two promising responses to deal with complex problems are Transdisciplinary and Mixed Method approaches. However, t…
Living Alone During Cancer Treatment
The social environment is an important determinant in the overall experience of having cancer. The purpose of this article is to identify how patients experience living alone during their cancer treatment. Using qualitative methods based on grounded theory techniques, we interviewed a sample of 32 cancer patients. Living alone was an ambiguous experience during cancer treatment: patients experienced both a lack of support as well a gain in privac…
Place of death in metropolitan regions
Changes in medical end-of-life practices during the legalization process of euthanasia in Belgium
HIV-Related Stigma Among Youth Living With HIV in Western Uganda
We present an explanatory theory for HIV-related stigma from the perspectives of youth living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) in Western Uganda, on which the fight against this relentless stigma in this age group and locality can be founded. A constant comparative method was used to analyze textual data from in-depth interviews with 35 YLWHA, selected from three health facilities. A stigma process model for YLWHA was developed with the stigmatizing feeling…
Influence of the metropolitan environment on end-of-life decisions
Using Drugs to End Life without an Explicit Request of the Patient
A small proportion of deaths result from the use of drugs with the intention to hasten death without an explicit request of the patient. Additional insight into its characteristics is needed for evaluating this practice. In the Netherlands in 2001, questionnaires were mailed to physicians that addressed the decision making that preceded their patient's death. Cases of ending life without an explicit request of the patient were compared with simil…
End-of-life decision-making in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland
OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in end-of-life decision-making in patients dying at home, in a hospital or in a care home. DESIGN: A death certificate study: certifying physicians from representative samples of death certificates, taken between June 2001 and February 2002, were sent questionnaires on the end-of-life decision-making preceding the patient's death. SETTING: Four European countries: Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerl…
European public acceptance of euthanasia
Using death certificate data to study place of death in 9 European countries
Death certificate data provide information on place of death and on possibly associated factors and confounders in all studied countries. Hence, death certificate data provide a unique opportunity for cross-national studying and monitoring of place of death. However, modifications of certain aspects of death certificate registration and rules of data-protection are perhaps required to make international monitoring of place of death more feasible …
Using Drugs to End Life without an Explicit Request of the Patient
A small proportion of deaths result from the use of drugs with the intention to hasten death without an explicit request of the patient. Additional insight into its characteristics is needed for evaluating this practice. In the Netherlands in 2001, questionnaires were mailed to physicians that addressed the decision making that preceded their patient's death. Cases of ending life without an explicit request of the patient were compared with simil…
End-of-life decision-making in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland
OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in end-of-life decision-making in patients dying at home, in a hospital or in a care home. DESIGN: A death certificate study: certifying physicians from representative samples of death certificates, taken between June 2001 and February 2002, were sent questionnaires on the end-of-life decision-making preceding the patient's death. SETTING: Four European countries: Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerl…
Changes in medical end-of-life practices during the legalization process of euthanasia in Belgium
A post-mortem survey on end-of-life decisions using a representative sample of death certificates in Flanders, Belgium
The protocol of the 2007 ELD Study in Flanders, Belgium, is appropriate for achieving the objectives of the study; as past studies in Belgium, the Netherlands, and other European countries have shown, strictly anonymous and thorough surveys among physicians using a large, stratified, and representative death certificate sample are most suitable in nationwide studies of incidence and characteristics of end-of-life decisions. There are however also…
Euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions
Even though legal and general healthcare systems are the same for the whole country, there are considerable variations between the communities in type and prevalence of certain end-of-life decisions, even after controlling for population differences
Place of death in metropolitan regions
Physician reports of medication use with explicit intention of hastening the end of life in the absence of explicit patient request in general practice in Belgium
The practice of using life-ending drugs without explicit patient request in general practice in Belgium mainly involves non-competent patients experiencing persistent and unbearable suffering whose end-of-life wishes can no longer be ascertained. GPs do not act as isolated decision-makers and they believe they act in the best interests of the patient. Advance care planning could help to inform GPs about patients' wishes prior to their loss of com…
Influence of the metropolitan environment on end-of-life decisions
Legal Euthanasia in Belgium
OBJECTIVES: To study the reported medical practice of euthanasia in Belgium since implementation of the euthanasia law. RESEARCH DESIGN: Analysis of the anonymous database of all euthanasia cases reported to the Federal Control and Evaluation Committee Euthanasia. SUBJECTS: All euthanasia cases reported by physicians for review between implementation of the euthanasia law on September 22nd, 2002 and December 31, 2007 (n = 1917). MEASURES: Frequen…
Age-based disparities in end-of-life decisions in Belgium
Age is not a determining factor in the rate of end-of-life decisions, but is in decision making as patient inclusion rates decrease with old age. Our results suggest there is a need to focus advance care planning initiatives on elderly patients. The slippery slope hypothesis cannot be confirmed either in general or among older people, as since the euthanasia law fewer LAWER cases were found
Cultural differences affecting euthanasia practice in Belgium
Living Alone During Cancer Treatment
The social environment is an important determinant in the overall experience of having cancer. The purpose of this article is to identify how patients experience living alone during their cancer treatment. Using qualitative methods based on grounded theory techniques, we interviewed a sample of 32 cancer patients. Living alone was an ambiguous experience during cancer treatment: patients experienced both a lack of support as well a gain in privac…
Acting Independently While Living Alone
Cancer patients who live alone place specific importance on acting independently during treatment. We want to describe what it means to act independently and which strategies patients use to continue to act independently. We used a qualitative design, based on grounded theory. We interviewed 32 patients, 17 of them a second time. Patients who live alone defined acting independently in two different ways: It meant not only doing things alone but a…
The use of purposeful sampling in a qualitative evidence synthesis
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of qualitative evidence syntheses papers are found in health care literature. Many of these syntheses use a strictly exhaustive search strategy to collect articles, mirroring the standard template developed by major review organizations such as the Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration. The hegemonic idea behind it is that non-comprehensive samples in systematic reviews may introduce selection bias. However, exhaust…
An Auto-Ethnographic Study of the Disembodied Experience of a Novice Researcher Doing Qualitative Cancer Research
Qualitative health researchers who explore individuals' experiences of illness are exposed to an emotionally demanding work environment. After doing 49 interviews with cancer patients living alone, I was confronted with serious emotional distress that kept me from my work for almost 6 months. Because there is a need for discussion within academia about the emotional risks encountered by researchers, I used auto-ethnography to explore what I call …
Perceptions of Stigma and Discrimination in Health Care Settings Towards Sub-Saharan African Migrant Women Living With Hiv/Aids in Belgium
Stigma and discrimination within health care settings remain a public health challenge across diverse cultural environments and may have deleterious effects on mental and physical health. This study explores the causes, forms and consequences of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among migrant sub-Saharan African women living with HIV in Belgium. A qualitative study was conducted with 44 HIV-positive sub-Saharan African migrant women between A…
The Sexual Adjustment Process of Cancer Patients and Their Partners
Linking numbers to perceptions and experiences
Today, more and more problems that scientists need to tackle are complex problems. Many examples of these can be found in the health sciences, medicine and ecology. Typical features of complex problems are that they cannot be studied by one discipline and that they need to take into account subjective data as well as objective data. Two promising responses to deal with complex problems are Transdisciplinary and Mixed Method approaches. However, t…
Suicide and Youth
Suicide occurs more often in older than in younger people, but is still one of the leading causes of death in late childhood and adolescence worldwide. This not only results in a direct loss of many young lives, but also has disruptive psychosocial and adverse socio-economic effects. From the perspective of public mental health, suicide among young people is a main issue to address. Therefore we need good insight in the risk factors contributing …
Questions and Emotions of Minors After Terrorist Attacks
Attending school after treatment for a brain tumor
Reintegration into school is a milestone for childhood brain tumor survivors, as well as for their parents, teachers, and healthcare providers. We explored their experiences following the school re-entry by conducting semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in four main themes: "school performance," "psychosocial well-being," "support and approach," and "communication and collaboration." Children were pleased to return to school de…
Youth living with HIV/Aids in secondary schools
As Youth Living With HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) continue to survive and live with HIV chronically due to effective Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), it is paramount to work toward maximising their psychosocial wellbeing. The school where these YLWHA are expected to spend most of their time is an excellent environment to investigate this. In this study, we explore perspectives of Peer Educators (PEs) in secondary schools of one district in Western Uganda on how…
Preventing Conflicts Between Nurses and Families of a Multi-ethnic Patient Population During Critical Medical Situations in a Hospital
Introduction: Little is known about how to avoid intercultural nurse–family conflicts in critical care settings. In this article, strategies are discussed that may be useful to prevent or mitigate intercultural nurse–family conflicts during critical medical situations in hospital. Method: Strategies are based on an ethnographic study by Van Keer et al., other literature, and expert opinion. Results: Sufficient structural measures are needed. Firs…
Medicine (34 works) · Psychology (28 works) · Sociology (21 works) · Nursing (16 works) · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues (16 works) · Psychiatry (16 works) · Qualitative research (16 works) · Social Psychology (16 works) · Family medicine (14 works) · Political science (12 works)