Patient-Centered Innovation in Focus: 2024 Annual Patient Summit

Meaningful advances in medical device development aren’t achieved in isolation—they happen when the industry listens, collaborates, and puts patient voices at the center of the process. 

At MDIC’s 2024 Annual Patient Summit, patients, industry leaders, patient advocates, and researchers gathered to discuss the role of patient perspectives in shaping medical device development. The summit highlighted that patient preference information (PPI) goes beyond regulatory requirements; it supports the development of devices that better reflect patient needs and values. It created a shared space where participants could explore how patient input informs decisions, from product design to regulatory considerations. 

MDIC facilitates these discussions by providing frameworks and collaborative opportunities that help organizations incorporate patient insights into each stage of product development and total product lifecycle.

Learning from Leaders: Redefining Risk and Benefit 

In the opening session, Leisa Martinez, senior director of regulatory affairs at Medtronic, shared insights from a PPI study that revealed patients often evaluate risks and benefits differently than clinicians expect. For instance, many patients managing chronic cardiovascular conditions prioritized faster recovery times and improved quality of life, even if it meant accepting higher procedural risks. “It’s easy to assume we know what patients will value,” Martinez reflected, “but the data consistently challenges us to rethink those assumptions.” This insight has guided Medtronic’s approach to assessing risk-benefit ratios, particularly for complex devices in cardiovascular care, with the goal of creating products that better reflect patient perspectives. 

Vanessa DeBruin, Director of Clinical Research at Medtronic, echoed the importance of designing patient-centered tools and processes. By collaborating with MDIC and patient advocacy groups, Medtronic has aimed to make its PPI studies more accessible and less burdensome for patients. “It’s about designing research that respects patients’ time and effort,” DeBruin emphasized, reflecting the broader movement toward patient centricity in data gathering. These collaborative efforts support the development of PPI tools that capture a range of patient perspectives, contributing to informed decision-making in product development. 

Beyond Data: Real-World Impact of Patient Preferences 

Speakers discussed how PPI extends beyond data collection, impacting areas like reimbursement and access to treatments. Amy Pavlock, director of global health economics and reimbursement at Edwards Lifesciences shared a practical example involving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). In a study comparing TAVR with traditional surgery, patients indicated a strong preference for TAVR due to its minimally invasive nature and quicker recovery, despite some associated risks. This feedback played a role in expanding TAVR coverage in Canada, demonstrating how patient input can inform policy discussions and improve access to treatments that align with patient preferences. MDIC’s focus on sharing best practices around PPI supports organizations like Edwards in applying patient insights to broader healthcare considerations. 

Mo Zhou, director in patient experience and data science at Novartis, highlighted how PPI findings guide the development of decision-making tools that help clinicians discuss treatment options that align with patient values. By understanding patient concerns—such as managing side effects or preserving independence—clinicians can have more meaningful conversations with patients, ultimately building trust and improving satisfaction. “When patients feel genuinely heard, they become partners in the journey,” Zhou explained, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered communication in clinical settings. MDIC’s collaborative approach helps make these insights accessible across the industry, ensuring that patient voices contribute to improvements in standards of care. 

A Collective Patient Centered Path Forward 

The discussions at MDIC’s Annual Patient Summit reflect a growing shift in the medical device field toward prioritizing patient engagement. By offering a platform for MDIC’s partners and collaborators to exchange insights and share approaches, the summit emphasized the importance of integrating patient perspectives at each stage of development. Each speaker’s perspective contributed to a more inclusive, empathetic approach to medical technology, supporting the goal of aligning industry efforts with the needs and values of patients who rely on these innovations. 

Learn More 

To explore these discussions in more detail and hear from industry leaders, watch the full session recording. Visit MDIC’s Science of Patient Input website for more information on patient-centric approaches in medical device development.