Dialogue on Patient-Centered Value Assessment: Overcoming Barriers to Amplify the Patient Voice

08/03/2018

On July 31, the National Health Council (NHC) hosted an invitational dialogue on Patient-Centered Value Assessment. We gathered a group of patient advocates and experts from value assessment organizations to discuss issues related to determining the value of health care treatments, focused on enhancing the patient voice in these activities. The goal was to bring together representatives from US organizations that have produced value frameworks and assessments over the last several years with representatives from patient groups that have interacted with those organizations to: 1. Articulate a shared vision for success in enhanced patient centricity in value assessment. 2. Outline tangible, feasible actions toward achieving that success. The actions may be on the part of patient groups, value framework developers, or both in collaboration. 3. Produce a summary of the discussion and recommendations that emerge.

Importance of Getting Value Right From the Start:

Throughout the meeting, the participants discussed ways to advance the patient voice in value assessment. The participants discussed how patient engagement early in the process is crucial, and we need to ensure we are focusing on patient-centered care in every step of innovation. During a group discussion on defining success, participants agreed that real-world evidence and patient-provided input need to be included in the testing of therapies, so that patients can report on what outcomes matter most to them. That evidence will help inform value assessment in the future, furthering ensuring patient centricity.

The group discussed goals and metrics of success in patient-centered value assessment. This allowed them to ask questions about what success meant to them individually and for their organizations, and how the health care community can create a common understanding on specific steps for all stakeholders to take in the future to improve patient-centricity in value assessment.

Steps Moving Forward:

The roundtable participants focused on “charting a path forward.” They discussed what opportunities exist to enhance patient engagement in value assessment. Important questions were asked like: How can patient-centered data sources be leveraged?

Participants agreed that the future of value assessment involves patients and patient organizations working together with value assessors and other stakeholders to ensure a patient-centered approach. There was agreement that future discussions should be expanded to include more voices, including public and private health insurers as well as employers who select and purchase insurance for their employees.

The ideas generated from this meeting sparked an interesting and engaging conversation among participants. The NHC will publish a summary of recommendations based on dialogue discussions.

View the NHC’s past work on value.