Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
www.pharmpress.com/fact
Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2007; 12: 242–3
Maurits van Tulder is a full professor of Health Technology Assessment at the Institute of Health Sciences of the VU University (50%) and the EMGO Institute of the VU University Medical Center (50%) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 2002, he spent a sabbatical at the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Toronto, Canada, where he still has a position as adjunct scientist.
Maurits van Tulder has (co)authored 146 scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals on RCTs, systematic reviews, clinical guidelines and economic evaluations, especially in the field of musculo-skeletal disorders. He is also author of several national publications, book chapters and a book on evidence-based practice for low back pain. His main research interest is in effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic interventions (CAM and other interventions) for chronic diseases. He has been a member of various national and international guideline committees. Currently he is co-editor of the Cochrane Back Review Group.
Q What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
MvT: Going to international scientific meetings to meet interesting people, discuss evidence, and enjoy good food and sightseeing.
Q What does your mother-in-law think about you working in CAM?
MvT: As long as I am not the one sticking needles into her, she doesn’t mind. And she is not interested in any evidence.
Q What is the most important virtue for a scientist?
MvT: Curiosity and a critical attitude (sorry, I cannot choose). I cannot imagine a scientist who takes everything for granted and is not interested in whether there is any evidence.
Q If you had not entered your current profession, what would you have liked to do?
MvT: Being a professional soccer player seems a pretty good alternative to me. Unfortunately, there is sound evidence that I lack the skills, the haircut and the tattoos.
Q What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
MvT: There is evidence that you can do anything you want, if you really want it.
Q What makes you happy?
MvT: Spending a sunny Saturday afternoon in downtown Amsterdam; enjoying the scenery, salted herring, shopping, and a beer on a terrace. According to tourist information about the city, there is evidence that Amsterdam is the most beautiful city in the world.
Q What depresses you?
MvT: Rain. Especially when it starts raining while I’m riding my bicycle to work. There is evidence that there is an increased risk of rain when you have forgotten your rain jacket.
Q What is your greatest extravagance?
MvT: Spending a weekend with my girlfriend (I have evidence that I have one) in a five-star hotel with an extravagant dinner and excellent wine.
Q If you had a motto what would it be?
MvT: Walk, don’t run. Actually, this is the motto of a Spanish shoe company (Camper; you will find evidence on their website). I like their shoes, but their motto even better. To me it means just take your time to do things well; don’t rush and don’t do things the quick and dirty way.
Q On what occasion do you lie?
MvT: When I assume that there is evidence that telling the truth will hurt.
Q What is your favourite holiday location?
MvT: The one that I have never been to before (and evidence proves it), but always wanted to go to.
Q What is your favourite food?
MvT: Japanese food; evidence shows that it is fresher and healthier than any other food.
Q If you were a car, what make would you be?
MvT: Any make, but it would definitely be an evidence-based car (EBC?).
Q Which word do you overuse most?
MvT: Evidence. As a true adept of evidence-based medicine, I use the word evidence almost in every sentence.
