The Importance of Disruptive Innovation in the Allergy Immunology Clinic

The field of allergy-immunology has been at the forefront of medical innovation, particularly innovations that are disruptive. A disruptive innovation (DI) represents a market change that meets some aspect of a consumer demand more successfully than a prior mainstream alternative but may be more limited in application. It is important for allergists-immunologists to recognize innovation, and DI in particular, both to better appreciate the contributions of our dynamic specialty and to critically evaluate the ever-changing landscape of health care delivery. This article highlights DIs-past, present, and future-within allergy-immunology and across sectors of the economy while discussing strategies for successful practice in an evolving world.