What's Happening?
At the ESMO 2025 Summit in Berlin, VML Health, a global network of health communications agencies, hosted the inaugural Patient Advocacy Summit. The event brought together patient advocacy leaders, clinicians,
and industry partners to explore how connection can create impact in healthcare. Nichole Davies, global chief strategy officer at VML Health, emphasized the importance of health literacy as a shared responsibility among stakeholders. The summit highlighted the increasing complexity of healthcare systems and the need for patients to connect more closely to their health to advocate effectively. The origins of patient advocacy date back to the 1920s in the United States, evolving over decades to improve patient outcomes. The summit aimed to unite disparate patient advocacy practices and foster collaboration among groups to enhance patient engagement and advocacy.
Why It's Important?
The summit underscores the critical role of patient advocacy in improving healthcare outcomes, particularly in complex areas like oncology and rare diseases. By fostering connections between patients, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups, the summit aims to address the fragmentation in healthcare systems. Enhanced patient advocacy can empower individuals to navigate their healthcare journeys more effectively, especially in marginalized populations. The event also highlighted the potential of AI tools in improving health literacy and patient engagement, offering a solution to overburdened healthcare systems. As patient advocacy becomes increasingly personalized, it can better address the unique needs of diverse patient populations, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
What's Next?
VML Health plans to continue working with patient association groups and pharmaceutical companies to explore opportunities and challenges in healthcare delivery through AI. The summit served as a catalyst for these discussions, aiming to personalize patient advocacy services to better meet individual needs. Future efforts will focus on enhancing health literacy and shared decision-making, leveraging AI and social platforms to empower patients. The ongoing collaboration between stakeholders is expected to drive innovation in patient advocacy, improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Beyond the Headlines
The summit highlighted the ethical and cultural dimensions of patient advocacy, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches. As healthcare systems become more complex, the role of patient advocates in representing diverse patient voices becomes increasingly important. The integration of AI in healthcare presents both opportunities and challenges, with the potential to improve health literacy while addressing misinformation risks. The summit's focus on connection and collaboration reflects a broader shift towards patient-centered care, aiming to empower individuals to take an active role in their health decisions.
