Bridging the Practice Gaps: Insights from Susanne Munksted ahead of the Precision Medicine Practice Gaps Economic, Policy, and Operational Solutions Global Summit

1. What inspired your interest in this topic?

It all began with a passion for improving patient outcomes. Throughout my career, I've witnessed first hand the transformative power of precision medicine in delivering targeted therapies to patients through diagnostics. This personalized approach holds immense promise in revolutionizing healthcare, but it also presents challenges, particularly in optimizing the testing ecosystem to ensure patients can access these breakthrough medications.

My motivation stems from a desire to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, to translate cutting-edge research into tangible benefits for patients. Participating in initiatives like the Impact of Clinical Practice Gaps on the Implementation of Personalized Medicine in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (JCO Precision Oncology, 2022) and being part of this Forum has allowed me to delve deeper into understanding the clinical realities and challenges that impede the seamless adoption of precision medicine.

Moreover, being involved in global launches of Companion Diagnostic products has provided invaluable insights into the intricate interplay between diagnostics and therapeutics, reinforcing the importance of a cohesive testing ecosystem in unlocking the full potential of precision medicine.

2. How does your work within Diaceutics align with the Forum’s goals?

At Diaceutics, we recognize the critical importance of identifying and addressing practice gaps in precision medicine. By leveraging our expertise and innovative solutions, we aim to streamline the diagnostic process, enhance testing accuracy, help our clients better understand and navigate these processes and ultimately improve patient access to targeted therapies.

Our participation in Forums like the Precision Medicine Practice Gaps Economic, Policy and Operational Solutions Forum allows us to showcase our extensive experience and track record in this area. Through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on patient-centric solutions, we continue to advance towards our shared vision of improving patient outcomes and transforming healthcare delivery worldwide.

3. How can the findings from the Practice Gaps paper and the ongoing Economic Forum impact the field?

The findings from the Impact of Clinical Practice Gaps on the Implementation of Personalized Medicine in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (JCO Precision Oncology, 2022) hold significant potential to impact the field of precision medicine in several meaningful ways. By identifying key clinical practice gaps contributing to patient leakage, this research offers valuable insights that can inform targeted interventions to optimize healthcare delivery.

Firstly, understanding these practice gaps allows stakeholders across the healthcare community to address inefficiencies and barriers to the adoption of precision medicine. By implementing targeted strategies to streamline diagnostic testing processes, enhance healthcare provider education, and improve communication channels between stakeholders, we can reduce patient leakage and ensure timely access to appropriate therapies.

Furthermore, the findings from the paper underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing in advancing precision medicine practices. By fostering greater collaboration between diagnostic companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, and regulatory agencies, we can work towards developing standardized guidelines and best practices for implementing precision medicine in clinical settings.

It was the insights from the Practice Gaps paper that acted as the catalyst in establishing the Economic Forum. This forum, addressing economic, operational, and policy dimensions, provides a vital space for stakeholders to collaborate on comprehensive strategies to bridge identified gaps. By leveraging collective expertise, we can pave the way for a more efficient, equitable, and patient-centered healthcare system.

4. What's next for the Forum/outcomes of the event?

As we look ahead to the future, several critical steps lie on the horizon. These outcomes are pivotal for shaping the industry and driving meaningful change. The upcoming Economic Forum will serve as a platform to dissect the outcomes of our research to date comprehensively and look at solutions moving forward. Participants will engage in candid discussions, share insights, and critically evaluate the impact of our deliberations. Our primary objective is to distil the collective wisdom and findings into a comprehensive white paper or publication.

This document will encapsulate key takeaways, actionable recommendations, and a roadmap for industry transformation. Armed with our research and insights, we aim to advocate for change at various levels. Engaging policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders will be crucial to drive adoption of our proposed solutions. We intend to collaborate with organizations, associations, and thought leaders who share our vision. We’ll assess not only industry shifts but also the positive societal impact resulting from our efforts. In summary, our journey continues beyond the event—a journey fuelled by collaboration, purpose, and the unwavering belief that change is both necessary and achievable.

Conclusion

As we look ahead to the future of the Forum, I invite you to explore the wealth of research preceding this Summit. Dive into the Practice Gaps Study and Peter Keeling’s recent publication ‘Delivering the Precision Oncology Paradigm’, absorb the insights, and join us in shaping the transformative landscape of precision medicine. Let’s bridge the gap and redefine healthcare’s future together.

For more information on Diaceutics and our work in optimizing the testing ecosystem for precision medicine, I invite you to visit our website at www.diaceutics.com.