Patient value: Perspectives from the advocacy community

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Economics
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Healthcare systems face financial pressures, leading to the development of value frameworks for treatment access.
• Current value frameworks often prioritize clinician values over patient-reported outcomes.
• Patient values are diverse, influenced by social, cultural, and personal factors, making a single definition challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted definitions of patient value in healthcare decision-making.
• To advocate for the inclusion of a broader range of patient-relevant outcomes in value frameworks.
• To provide recommendations for strengthening the patient voice in the development of value frameworks.

Main Methods:

• A review and discussion of existing value frameworks and their limitations.
• Exploration of diverse patient values through the perspective of patient advocates.
• Development of recommendations for collaborative efforts between stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Existing value frameworks inadequately represent patient values and outcomes.
• Patient advocates offer crucial insights into the impact of therapies on patient populations.
• Involving patient advocates is essential for developing comprehensive and relevant value frameworks.

Conclusions:

• Value frameworks must evolve to incorporate a wider spectrum of patient-centered outcomes.
• Collaborative efforts involving patient advocates are vital for enhancing current and future value frameworks.
• Integrating patient value is justified by both compassionate (improved health) and economic (resource efficiency) grounds.