Pharmaceutical companies have an opportunity to use their expertise to play a greater role in healthcare reform, while also revamping their business model. We believe that the key is digital health technology, which can allow pharma companies to leverage their deep disease expertise and marketing capabilities. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) defines patient engagement as "actions people take for their health and to benefit from care." The activation of a patient, as defined by Judith Hibbard of the Health Policy Research Group, involves “understanding one's own role in the care process and having the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take on that role." A growing body of research finds that patient activation benefits not only the patient but also all other health stakeholders.

The pharmaceutical industry can play a critical role in helping to activate and engage patients, in part through digital health solutions. Broadly speaking, digital health is the convergence of advances in genomics and digital technology. Digital health solutions, which are as diverse as Web portals, body sensors, and apps, can help the patient self-monitor and get needed support between physician visits. These tools - particularly mobile health solutions - are increasingly popular among patients and physicians.

Download: Digital health: A way for pharma companies to be more relevant in healthcare (.pdf, 571 KB).

Download from World Pharma News: Digital health: A way for pharma companies to be more relevant in healthcare (.pdf, 571 KB).