Galway.

Frank Sullivan is an esteemed cancer physician, researcher, educator, and program developer. Currently, he is the adjunct professor in medicine and vice-dean, strategic partnerships, college of medicine, nursing and health sciences at National University of Ireland, Galway.

In an exclusive interview with Pharma Tech Outlook Europe, Professor Sullivan shared his valuable insights on the healthcare industry, clinical trials, and the changes shaping the industry.

Could you elaborate a little bit about your journey and also your current role and responsibilities?

Over the course of four decades, I have dedicated my career to healthcare, primarily focusing on the treatment of patients afflicted with various forms of cancer. To augment my expertise, I pursued comprehensive training in medical oncology and radiation oncology, acquiring invaluable knowledge both in Ireland and at the esteemed National Cancer Institute in Maryland, USA. Throughout my professional journey, which encompasses a collective period of 18 years in the United States, I have had the privilege of serving both private and public institutions, engaging in diverse activities like clinical research and provision of clinical services.

In 2005, I returned to Ireland, assuming the position of Chair of Radiation Oncology at the University of Galway. Before returning to my primary practice, I diligently fulfilled my responsibilities in this role.In recent years, my focus primarily centerson prostate cancer research. Additionally, I have dedicated considerable attention to the measurement and reporting of my research outcomes, aiming to showcase the calibre of our healthcare interventions. Consequently, this has led me to explore avenues for enhancing the measurement of quality, improving patient communication, and cultivating services that epitomize the highest standards. The goal is to optimize patient outcomes resulting from the interventions we offer. In this pursuit, I find harmonious alignment with our counterparts in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, as well as our colleagues engaged in research endeavors.

How have recent developments shaped the healthcare industry and what strategies do you believe industry leaders should employ to effectively respond to these changes?

Shifting our focus within the healthcare landscape to prioritize value is imperative, as emphasized by influential figures like Michael Porter, an American academic known for his theories on economics, business strategy, and social causes. Despite decades of discussion and proposals for a transition to value-based healthcare, tangible changes have been minimal. Prevailing fee-for-service and reimbursement systems have proven inadequate, hindering the implementation of value-based care due to the lack of incentives and entrenched practices. The initial cultural change must originate from payers like governments and insurance companies, who play a pivotal role in healthcare consumption and procurement. Communicating this imperative to colleagues and patients, emphasizing informed decision-making and patient inclusion is crucial.

“Demonstrating courage in sharing our outcomes is crucial to building trust and allowing patients to make well-informed decisions”

In my current endeavors, I strive to raise awareness among patients about the importance of selecting healthcare options that offer optimal value. Patients must access relevant information regarding their treatment options, and providers delivering high value. However, this vital information often remains confined to academic circles, failing to reach patients directly. Increasing patient education and involvement is the first step towards change, moving away from the prevailing paternalistic approach. Drawing from my four decades of clinical experience, I have witnessed that when patients are provided with comprehensive information and tools for informed decision-making, they can make appropriate choices. However, this requires making relevant data accessible to patients outside academic and professional circles.

The desired shift involves increasing patient education, inclusion, and granting them access to their medical data. By fusing a value-based framework with the potential of digital health, immense promise emerges. Efforts are focused on developing a platform that provides free accessible information, enabling patients to make smarter healthcare choices and comprehend the concept of value. Restructuring clinical information within hospital systems, aligning it with a value-based framework, and presenting it directly to patients is a significant aspect of ongoing activities. Equipped with this information, patients can assess treatment options and determine if hospitals can offer them. Educating patients about clinical trials is paramount, as they represent a benchmark for quality improvement and can significantly enhance outcomes.

Beyond day-to-day services, raising awareness among individuals and empowering them to demand higher quality and better value in healthcare decisions is a primary focus. Facilitating access to clinical trials plays a vital role, enabling patients to surpass the limitations of standard care and make informed choices.

Are there any other transformations or disruptions that can happen in the next few months?

There is an increasing interest in prioritizing value in healthcare. Notably, the NHS and the UK Health Services Department recently published a white paper on enhancing patient accrual to clinical trials, while the Irish government also recognizes the need for improvement despite significant investment. This awakening to the issue indicates a shift in focus beyond access and waiting lists towards clinical trials. Considering past incidents and the pressing need to implement digital health effectively, the digital transformation is another critical component.

These global movements towards value-based healthcare and digital transformation align with Michael Porter's assertion that value should be the central focus in healthcare. There has been progress towards value-based care, even though it is not widely adopted. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of real-world evidence in shaping treatment decisions, leading to innovative study designs and patient involvement. Real-world evidence now influences decision-making and has the potential to transform healthcare delivery.

What advice would you share with your peers and upcoming professionals in the healthcare industry?

I urge my colleagues in medicine, nursing, and healthcare professions of all specialties, as well as those in management and administration, to wholeheartedly embrace a shift towards quality-focused change. It is vital to acknowledge that no one enters the healthcare field with the intention of delivering subpar or untimely care, or no care at all. It is crucial that we encourage one another to have the courage to publish our outcomes and data, even if they stem from small series within our own practices. By collaborating with like-minded individuals and merging our outcomes with other groups, we can establish a comprehensive understanding of the best practices for specific conditions.

Traditionally, we have relied on citing research protocols and papers from various sources, including other countries or different eras, to guide our patients in making treatment choices. However, I propose a paradigm shift wherein we communicate the message that we can offer patients specific treatment in a hospital or clinic and these are the true outcomes we have achieved here. Transparency becomes essential in this approach. If patients can obtain better outcomes with a different healthcare provider, we should encourage them to seek those options without hesitation. However, we must strive to ensure that our patients feel confident in the high-quality care we provide.

My advice to colleagues and patients is to embrace transparency. Exceptional work is being conducted in large academic institutions and also in community hospitals and small clinics. We should not hesitate from showcasing the remarkable achievements of our local healthcare facilities. Demonstrating courage in sharing our outcomes is crucial to building trust and allowing patients to make well-informed decisions. By disseminating this information widely, we can dispel misconceptions and fears surrounding healthcare outcomes. Contrary to popular belief, our results are often better than anticipated. We need to present this information in a format that patients can comprehend, enabling them to make informed decisions. This call to arms emphasizes the need for transparency and highlights the significant contributions of healthcare professionals across diverse settings.