 |
| A successful model |
Patient adherence is a hot issue for all players (ie,
payers, healthcare providers, life science companies, and patients) in the
healthcare industry. Unfortunately all chronic conditions have low rates of
patient compliance to therapy with the average being between 50% and 65%.
Patient noncompliance is a significant problem, and for the life science
industry it is particularly problematic as patients that start a therapy are
not likely to continue it for the needed duration. This has a significant
financial impact for life science companies as it costs six times more to
attract new patients than it does to retain existing ones.
We have seen adherence rates increase by
10% to 15% after a patient and caregiver support program is implemented and
maintained for one year. Increasing patient adherence is a win:win:win
situation. Patients gain better health and enhanced quality of life, payers
decrease expenses treating future healthcare issues that arise from
non-compliance, and life science companies retain patients on therapy.
In our patient and caregiver support programs we have seen
significant demand from patients for personalized experiences and information. The
days of developing and disseminating materials for the masses are ending.
Rather, patients want information specific to them, their condition, and needs.
Opportunities for providing patients with personalized
information abound, and I have recently published a white paper on how to
develop successful patient and caregiver support programs, as well as emerging
trends being used to deliver customized and personalized experiences for
patients. Patient and caregiver support programs can help life science companies
retain patients on treatment and create real value for patients, healthcare
providers, and payers.
