Does Regional Culture Matter in Patient Engagement?
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.
Link Global Solution Inc.
ore and more attention is being paid to patient engagement initiatives in the development of new therapies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) now has one of the longest histories in patient engagement activities and deliverables through its diligent work with patients. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has spent significant time and resources on workshops with patients, and deliverables are available to the public as part of the Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) initiative. Analogous activities are becoming more and more noticeable in many countries and regions as efforts to understand real medical needs from patients’ points of view, and there is increasing desire to meet those needs.
Medical Practice and Cultural Impact
These are just different approaches and, at an absolute level, neither is better. However, the resulting familiarity, or lack of familiarity, with open discussion and debate must be taken into account in medical practice to more fully understand patients’ behavior and their real needs and challenges.
Socio-economic status and medical literacy are other factors, and these may impact patient views as well as their treatment option selections. Needless to say, these matter even within the same region. Previously noted government initiatives by the EMA and FDA place significant focus on patient education to systematically and collectively understand their needs. Furthermore, in real medical practice, those elements impact not only treatment selection but also the attendant needs and satisfaction.