DUBLIN, Ohio, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To improve the
quality and reduce the costs of treatment provided to patients with
complex diseases, a new series of studies being unveiled this week
suggests we should start by talking to patients themselves.
A series of new clinical studies published by Cardinal Health
Specialty Solutions demonstrate the essential role that
patient-reported outcomes (PRO) research can play in advancing
patient-centered care. The studies also illustrate the feasibility
of leveraging user-friendly technology solutions to collect PRO
data in real-time, at the point of care. The research will be
featured at the International Society of Pharmacoeconomic and
Outcomes Research (ISPOR) annual meeting in Philadelphia, May
16-20, 2015.
"As our healthcare system moves toward a value-based care model,
the role of the patient is becoming increasingly important. We need
to reframe the way we think about care to include not only the cost
and clinical effectiveness of the treatment, but also the burden of
disease and therapy on the patient's perceived sense of
well-being," said Dr. Bruce
Feinberg, vice president and chief medical officer of
Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions. "Patient-reported outcomes
(PRO) are key to this equation, particularly for patients being
treated for high-cost, complex diseases such as cancer or
rheumatoid arthritis (RA)."
Here's an overview of some of the key findings of Cardinal
Health Specialty Solutions research being presented at this year's
ISPOR annual meeting:
- One study (abstract #56252 presented in poster session PHS87)
used PRO to demonstrate that rheumatologists significantly
underestimated the negative impact of RA disease burden and
treatment on their patients' sense of well-being. Understanding
this disparity in perceptions can help physicians make effective
treatment decisions that lessen the burden on patients – and can
sometimes also reduce the costs of their care.
- Another study (abstract #56274 presented in poster session
PHS88) showed that PRO can be critical to identifying and managing
medication access and adherence challenges for high-cost specialty
drugs.
Of a total of 239 oncology and rheumatology patients who were
contacted at the time of their initial prescription to provide
patient reported outcomes, 28% were identified as having problems
that either restricted access or adherence to the drug. Armed with
this information, interventions and support services were provided
to address those challenges. With the support of these
interventions, a medication possession ration exceeding 95% was
achieved – enabling nearly all patients to initiate or continue
treatment.
- A third study (abstract #56177 presented in poster session
PHS88) proved the feasibility of collecting PRO at the point of
care. In the clinical study involving 3,185 RA patients, PRO data
was captured during 90% of physician visits through use of the
PathWare™ decision support tool. The participating physicians were
then able to utilize the data to inform real-time treatment
decisions at the point of care.
"This research demonstrates that technology can be leveraged to
efficiently collect patient reported outcomes at the point of care
and to help physicians better understand the impact treatment has
on their patients," said Feinberg. "Equally as important, this
research reinforces that when we take the time to listen to the
patient, we increase our chances of being able to remove the
barriers that often get in the way of even the best-laid treatment
plans. In doing so, we can move even closer to value-based care by
improving patient outcomes and reducing unnecessary costs."
Attendees of the ISPOR annual meeting can learn more by
attending one of the poster presentations, or by visiting Cardinal
Health Specialty Solutions' booth #310 at the 2015 ISPOR Annual
Meeting. Click here for full abstracts of the company's
research being featured at ISPOR.
About Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions
Cardinal
Health Specialty Solutions provides clinical, reimbursement,
technology and distribution services that help health care
professionals, payers and pharmaceutical and biotech companies
improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of caring for patients
who are managing complex diseases. Cardinal Health Specialty
Solutions helps customers alleviate day-to-day administrative
burdens, optimize business functions and partner to implement new
innovations that move their businesses forward. To learn
more, visit www.cardinalhealth.com/specialtysolutions.
About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in
Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health,
Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $91
billion health care services company that improves the
cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind
health care, Cardinal Health helps
pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers,
clinical laboratories and physician offices focus on
patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and
improving quality. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the
health care supply chain,
providing pharmaceuticals and medical
products and services to more than 100,000 locations each day
and is also the industry-leading direct-to-home medical supplies
distributor. The company is a leading manufacturer of medical and
surgical products, including gloves, surgical
apparel and fluid management products. In addition,
the company operates the nation's largest network of
radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early
diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #22 on the Fortune 500,
Cardinal Health employs 34,000 people worldwide. More
information about the company may be found
at www.cardinalhealth.com and @CardinalHealth on
Twitter.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-clinical-studies-affirm-that-patient-reported-outcomes-can-improve-quality-reduce-costs-of-care-for-high-cost-complex-diseases-300083235.html
SOURCE Cardinal Health