Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities to Improve Care
There are many opportunities for the biopharma industry to improve patients’ therapy journey and overall care. One of the key insights gleaned from the VMS 2023 Annual HCP survey is that only 17% of HCPs surveyed say they are aware of the patient support programs made available by manufacturers. This deficit of awareness presents an opportunity and invitation for the biopharma industry to better engage HCPs and patients.
No less than 96% of the HCPs surveyed said increased communications about patient support programs was “important” or “very important.” This is an area with high need, and HCPs expect more in terms of biopharma contact and programming. It is not just important that HCPs are aware of the programs, familiarity with these helps frame conversations between patients and healthcare providers.
HCP Awareness of Patient Support Programs
HCP-Reported Importance of Increased Communications
Enhancing Therapy Success: The Role of Patient Support Programs
Patient support programs are an important tool for patients as they adjust to new medications; successfully incorporating new therapies into a patient’s lifestyle is crucial. If the HCP is able to recommend and speak knowledgably about programs to support these adjustments, there is a better chance for a successful start to the therapy.
Based on other findings in the survey, the most effective way to close this knowledge gap is likely person-to-person communication. Forty percent of HCPs rated digital self-serve training tools as only “marginally effective.” In addition, 39% of respondents reported low confidence in conversations about new therapies.
40% of HCPs rate digital, self-serve training tools as marginally effective.
39% of HCPs report low confidence when talking to patients about their therapy.
Importance of Clinical Experience in Educating HCPs on New Therapies
HCP respondents said overwhelmingly the people educating and training others in new therapies should have clinical experience. For example, professionals such as Clinical Nurse Educators can speak very knowledgably to other HCPs. The addition of in-person education might increase HCP confidence and impact of digital resources, especially with utilizing a single-point-of-contact (SPOC) model which leverages the expertise of CNEs to provide health coaching and communication with other HCPs, closing both knowledge and communication gaps.
95% of HCPs say new therapy training and education should come from someone with clinical experience.
94% of HCPs rate the importance of biopharma companies providing education and training to HCPs today as important or very important.
Supporting Patient Adherence: The Role of Education and Clinical Nurse Educators
Patients are ultimately responsible for adherence, but there are many ways to support their transition into specialized therapies. Fully 87% of HCPs believe patient education, coaching, and ongoing support is very important in navigating access to the variety of resources available. More than half of the HCPs surveyed say wellness and integrating therapy into daily life is the largest barrier to adherence.
There is great confidence in Clinical Nurse Educators, with 90% stating CNEs can provide effective and comprehensive support for patients starting on and adhering to specialty therapies. These situations demonstrate the versatility of CNEs as a resource, as support programs endeavor to deliver holistic care, providing support for access, cost, clinical, and emotional needs.
