Major Trends of HEOR in the Healthcare Industry

Health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) applications help in decision-making to enhance health.

FREMONT, CA: Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) continues to conduct horizon scanning and monitor the global trends influencing healthcare decision-making. It is hardly surprising that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the trends report, given how much the pandemic has impacted practically every part of our life. Since the epidemic pervades, many of the patterns should give specific attention. Considering real-world evidence when making healthcare decisions becomes more manageable.

Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence

AI helps forecast the anticipated outcomes for circumstances frequently seen in the past. AI is fundamentally altering healthcare through analyzing massive volumes of data and using algorithms to pick up skills without explicit programming. Traditional analytical techniques are challenged by the abundance and diversity of real-world evidence (RWE) available through physician reports, patient registries, and other sources. AI in general and machine learning techniques frequently offer more adaptable ways to examine data and get insights into actual healthcare practices and habits.

Patient engagement

Much medical research focuses on unmet needs, mainly pharmaceutical companies. However, researchers must pay attention to the patient perspective to fully comprehend the features of a disease that affect patients the most. 

For policymakers to better grasp all the costs and benefits pertinent to an economic review, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) also needs to take into account the lessons that patients have learned about their clinical journeys. With this knowledge, any regulations or decisions made can more accurately reflect the patient's viewpoint.

Value evaluation

Due to market distortions by health insurance, a lack of price transparency, patents, incomplete information, and other problems, healthcare prices are not as well determined by supply and demand as consumer goods are. Health economic analyses, typically cost-effectiveness analyses, determine the right price for many healthcare products and services. Although cost-effectiveness analysis offers a standardized method for evaluating values, not all situations, including those involving underserved or disabled populations, may be well-suited.

Real-world evidence

The use of real-world data (RWE) is still a prominent trend. RWE has the potential to deliver timely data at an affordable price, high sample sizes that allow research of fewer overall effects and subpopulations, and a depiction of real-world practice and behavior. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) make it challenging to accomplish these goals. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated both instances in which RWE has succeeded and failures.