The PREFER Recommendations
The PREFER project has developed recommendations for how and when it is best to perform and include patient preferences in decision making during the medical product life cycle. Supporting the development of guidelines for structured patient input into decision-making for the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory authorities, health technology assessment bodies and reimbursement agencies!
(Image removed) The PREFER project is coming to an end. Last week, we launched the recommendations in an online event where we discussed the PREFER framework and how to use it, how to involve key stakeholders, how to pick a method for your research questions, explore how participants’ psychological characteristics could offer insight into preference heterogeneity, and how educational materials can support patients’ understanding. We would like to thank everyone who participated for your interest, and for all of your questions!
Last year, we submitted our framework and points to consider to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and HTA bodies (through EUnetHTA) for evaluation. A draft opinion was shared in a public consultation in the autumn and we are still waiting for the final opinon from EMA. We promise to notify you of the results and any changes to our recommendations!
For those of you who don't have time to read the full first edition of the PREFER Recommendations on why, when and how to assess and use patient preferences in medical product decision-making, we recommend taking a look at our summary of the take home messages of the PREFER Recommendations in brief.
The PREFER consortium. (2022). PREFER Recommendations - Why, when and how to assess and use patient preferences in medical product decision-making. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6491042
By Josepine Fernow