New research carried out on behalf of MSD Ireland has revealed insights into patients' attitudes towards the healthcare system.

Among the key findings were that 80 per cent of people would be willing to consult their local pharmacist rather than a GP if appropriate; 84 per cent agree that health records should be accessible electronically by healthcare professionals throughout the system; and 85 per cent consider respect as very important when interacting with healthcare services.

Entitled My Healthcare, My Future, the research was carried out by Ipsos MRBI which asked 1,000 members of the public about their views on healthcare provision in Ireland, looking at sentiment towards healthcare as well as seeking solutions to some of the key challenges facing the health service.

The research was backed up by a series of focus groups and interviews with healthcare professionals and industry experts.

"This is the first comprehensive study of patients' perspectives on the future of the Irish healthcare system," says Ger Brennan, managing director for human health with MSD Ireland. "It is the first report of its kind to dig as deep as this into the actual perspectives of the public across the country and ask them what they want in the future. It provides a fresh perspective to allow the public to voice their hopes and expectations in an open, honest manner.

“At MSD we have always believed that the most important stakeholder in the healthcare system is the patient. A key part of our business is focused on patient advocacy and developing solutions that support patient needs. The voice of the patient is often lost in the wider debate on future healthcare and that is why we commissioned Ipsos MRBI to conduct this research that captures the patient’s perspective.”

Positive experience

According to Brennan the objective of the research is to create a platform for industry, the Government, the health sector and all interested parties to “have an open debate, focusing on the opportunities available to provide a healthcare system that works better for all”.

Interestingly, despite all the negative coverage in relation to the health services, almost as many people were optimistic about its future as pessimistic: 39 per cent declared themselves optimistic with 40 per cent saying they were pessimistic.

Many respondents spoke highly of their interaction with healthcare professionals, whom they acknowledged went out of their way to deliver quality care in often challenging environments.

Some expressed a belief that simple improvements such as clear information on emergency department (ED) waiting times or the ability to check outpatient and ED wait times online could go a long way towards delivering a more positive patient experience.

Unsurprisingly, access was highlighted by patients as a key priority. Almost nine in ten (89 per cent) believe being able to access healthcare services in a timely manner in future is very important. A number of respondents said this not only meant being seen without undue delay but also having the service in reasonable proximity to their home.

Open communication

The need for clear and open communication between patients and healthcare professionals was also highlighted, with 86 per cent saying it was very important that their illness or condition was clearly explained to them in language that they could understand. Patients also expect empathy along with this clarity.

There was broad agreement on the need for increased use of information and communications technology (ICT) to improve the system with 80 per cent agreeing it was important that technology be used wherever possible to make healthcare better. Interestingly, respondents aged 55 and over placed greater importance on this than their younger counterparts.

Innovation was also important to respondents, with 64 per cent saying it was very important that Irish patients can get access to new treatments early through clinical trials.

“I’ve seen significant advances in the development of MSD’s clinical trials programme in Ireland,” says Brennan. “These trials provide free access to medicines for patients. When I took on my first international assignment in 2013 there were only two MSD clinical trials ongoing in Ireland; this year I’m happy to say that we have 21 trials across oncology, immunology, cardio, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and HIV.”

Another unsurprising result was the desire by patients to have access to medicines at a fair price, with 78 per cent saying it was very important for the Government and the HSE to invest in making new medicines available to patients in Ireland.

Innovative medicines

Brennan believes innovation has a role to play in this area as well. “At MSD, we have a commitment to investing and addressing areas of the greatest unmet medical need,” he says. “Not only is innovation important in the development of medicines, we also need to be more innovative in how we fund these new medicines.

“The footprint of the life sciences industry in this country gives us a fantastic opportunity to develop an Irish solution to the global problem of funding innovative medicines and medical technologies.”

According to Brennan, new thinking is needed in how medicines are funded in Ireland.

“We need to get away from thinking about the price and instead look at outcomes and value,” he said. “For example, we could look at alternatives where there would be a rebate from the industry for medicines which didn’t deliver the desired outcomes.

“We also need to look at accelerated funding pathways for new potentially life-changing medicines to ensure that Irish patients get access to them as soon as possible. The opportunity is there for Ireland to develop a solution which will better meet the needs of patients and all the stakeholders involved in the system.”