How can you team up with other advocates and support groups?

Speaking with patients (& caregivers) is a must when designing, delivering & evaluating healthcare services & products. That said, it seems that not all life sciences companies - nor payors/ providers - are conducting enough of this - yet! Added value can come from speaking to patients, whom in addition to sharing their valuable lived experience, and those from others in their networks, also bring a 'super-power'. What professional skills and experience can they also bring to bear? Personally, I'm not 'just' a patient with diabetes but also bring expertise as a (now non-practicing pharmacist) in medicines-taking, digital health, scaling-up business & in broader patient engagement techniques. In essence, look beyond the 'patient'...

It is important not to overwhelm yourself with too many opportunities. You can increase your involvement as you learn more about the opportunities, the group or organisation. Taking on too much can have a detrimental impact on your health, especially when often juggling many other personal and professional priorities.

A useful lens for understanding the healthcare industry is a 3A framework: Access, Availability and Affordability. Patient advocacy can be viewed similarly. Patient advocates work with 3 groups. - Individual patients - Communities - Patient cohorts that have one complaint, such as cancer or rare diseases Research can accordingly be used to identify or discover the following: 1) Health services access for individual patients or specific conditions 2) Availability of health infrastructure and services in easy proximity 3) How low-income patients can afford expensive therapies for cancer, for example Advocates will have to network with different groups: - Healthcare providers, hospitals - NGOs - Public agencies and pharma companies

When we walk alone, we can go faster. But we definitely go further when we have the right allies. Finding those people who have the resources, skills and, most importantly, the will to support your journey is essential! ✨

Your story is powerful! Never underestimate the impact that good storytelling can have on inspiring others - and transforming their realities. My tip is: remember where you come from and your journey so far. Try to remember your values and identify how they were essential in the midst of the difficulties of your journey. Your story is powerful and your values are important tools for your mission!

Empower the collective voice When advocates unite, the collective voice becomes a symphony of change. The shared experiences, expertise, and diverse perspectives that come from teaming up can bring innovative solutions to the forefront. Encourage your collaborative efforts to aim not just for change but for transformative change. By pooling your resources, talents, and energy, you can tackle broader issues, influence more significant policy changes, and reach a wider audience. Moreover, this unity sends a powerful message that patient advocacy is not a solitary endeavor but a movement fueled by unity and compassion.