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Patients with unmet needs will continue to increase as no viable nor adequate treatment exists. Meanwhile, healthcare systems are struggling to cope with the rise of patients with chronic diseases, the aging population, and the increasing cost of drugs. What if there is a faster and less expensive way to provide better care for patients? This process can significantly speed up using the right digital solutions and transform the growing volumes of health data to insights. The increase of digital health has grown exponentially in the last few years. Why is there a slow uptake of these new digital solutions in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries? One of the key reasons lies on the fact that patients are often left out of the innovation process. Their data is used without their knowledge, solutions designed for them are developed without their input, and healthcare professionals refuse their expertise. This book explores what means to empower patients in a digital world and how this empowerment will bridge the gap between science (healthcare and pharmaceutical companies), technology (life science technology companies), and patients. All these components need to co-exist to bring value not only to the patients themselves but improving the healthcare ecosystem. Patients have decided to take matters into their own hands and change the status quo. Some are equipped with the latest wearables and applications, engaged on improving their health using data, empowered to make informed decisions and ultimately, experts in their disease(s). They are the e-patients. The other side of the spectrum are patients not technologically savvy but are equally willing to donate their data for the purpose of research. Finding the right balance when using digital health becomes critical and the need to develop a disease specific solution. For the first time, the authors take a look at healthcare and technologies through the lens of the patients and physicians via surveys and interviews. To understand their perspective on digital health, analyze the benefits for them, how they can actively engage in the innovation process, and the threats and opportunities the large volumes of data creates by the digitization of healthcare. Are patients truly ready to know everything about their health? What is the value of their data? How can other stakeholders join the patient empowerment movement? This unique perspective will help us re-design the future of healthcare. An industry that is desperate need for a change, especially after the difficult pandemic that the world has faced.
