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Jelle BarentszPatient First

Radiologist · Researcher · Teacher

The patient is why I keep going.

As a radiologist, researcher and teacher, I work towards better imaging and better-founded care. Empathy gives me direction. Resilience helps me keep going. And new insights can change my course.

Jelle Barentsz smiling, in a light jacket and tie

For patients

What prostate MRI is, what it can and cannot tell you, and where to go for personal medical care.

Information for patients

For professionals

Research, publications, talks and teaching — for colleagues, students, the press and conference organisers.

Research & innovation
Jelle Barentsz in a dark blue shirt, leaning on a railing (2022)
2022

I know what it is like to be a patient

After serious complications I had to learn to walk again. As a doctor I looked for answers; as a patient I had to learn to live with uncertainty. That experience changed how I look at care.

Read my story

Three E's — with empathy at the centre

Euro

What makes it possible?

Resources make research and innovation possible. The benefit for the patient decides the direction.

Empathy

What does the patient gain from this?

Listening, understanding and acting from the person behind the disease. This is the centre.

Ego

Where does ambition lead?

Ambition can drive progress. Collaboration and self-criticism help aim it well.

More about the three E's

Selected contributions

  1. Initiator of PI-RADS

    In 2012 I took the initiative for PI-RADS. Developed further internationally, it is now a worldwide standard for prostate MRI.

  2. The 4M study

    A large Dutch multicentre study comparing standard biopsy with an MRI-first pathway.

  3. Ferumoxtran / USPIO MRI

    Tiny iron particles that help MRI show lymph nodes — a long road of persistence.

  4. NanoBioVolt

    Investigating whether glucose-powered nanobatteries can be used against prostate cancer cells — preclinical research.

All research

Featured talk: academic resilience

At SABI 2026 I spoke about setbacks, second chances and the tiny iron particles that never left me.

Video library

  • Academic Resilience and a Second Chance for the Tiny Iron Particles and Me

    A personal talk about resilience in academic life and the long road of the tiny iron particles used in lymph-node MRI. The official programme lists it as “Academic Resilience and the Story of Very Tiny Iron Particles”.

    Occasion
    SABI 2026 Annual Meeting — TED-style session
    Year
    2026
    Language
    English
    Watch on YouTube ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Invite me, or get in touch

For research collaboration, teaching, conferences and press.

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