Pharmaceutical Market Europe • April 2025 • 25
THOUGHT LEADER
By Alicia Hughes
Engagement in healthcare is a key factor in determining health outcomes. People who actively participate in their healthcare tend to experience better health and live longer, while those who are passive recipients of healthcare often face poorer outcomes. Our work at Sprout Health Solutions aims to bridge this gap.
One of the most important methods our scientists use is shared decision-making, a collaborative process that ensures healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients or caregivers can actively participate in treatment decisions. HCPs bring expertise in illness and treatment, while patients are the experts in their experience of illness, values and preferences. When successful, this process positively impacts patients’ satisfaction with treatment, adherence and quality of life.
Despite these potential benefits, a recent industry-sponsored study conducted by Sprout found that many patients do not feel involved in decisions about their treatment, do not know what questions to ask and leave appointments feeling that they lack information.
Our research showed that participation in healthcare is often linked to privilege – those with higher socioeconomic status, better education and access to resources are more likely to engage in shared decision-making. This means that people who are already disadvantaged may be further marginalised in healthcare, exacerbating disparities.
Exclusion from healthcare decisions can result from various barriers, including language, health literacy, cultural factors and systemic biases. To create a more equitable healthcare system, it is essential to actively involve all patients, regardless of background, in the decision-making process.
We also learned that a common barrier to shared decision-making among HCPs was a lack of time. In our experience, this process can be integrated into everyday healthcare interactions in a way that empowers all patients.
In patient support programmes developed by Sprout researchers, patients who received tailored information and advice to address their doubts and concerns were more adherent and had fewer medicine-related problems. Beliefs about treatment differ between patients depending on their perception of their illness, beliefs about medicines in general and the views of their family and/or wider community and culture. Therefore, these conversations should be tailored to the individual.
Shared decision-making relies on mutual respect and trust between patients and HCPs. The patients’ relationship with their healthcare team and the quality of communication between patients and HCPs are also key determinants of adherence.
Sprout’s shared decision-making programmes demonstrate that patients who are provided with a treatment rationale that makes sense to them feel they can decide on the best course of action for themselves or their loved one.
When patients feel heard, understood and supported, they are more likely to take an active role in their healthcare.
By prioritising engagement and inclusivity, shared decision-making can contribute to a more equitable healthcare system, where everyone can participate in decisions that impact their well-being. Bridging the gap in participation is not just beneficial for individual patients – it is a necessary step toward reducing healthcare disparities and ensuring better health outcomes for all.
Alicia Hughes is a Senior Consultant with Sprout Health Solutions