NDHI Update

The National Dialoge for Healthcare Innovation (NDHI) continues to build positive momentum toward achieving the objectives set forth following the Summit, specifically related to developing a consensus statement on key principles to guide physician-industry collaboration and a public education plan aimed at key stakeholder groups.

In December, several members of NDHI’s Principles and Outreach & Education workings groups convened in-person to review our accomplishments. The groups discussed next steps in securing additional endorsements of the Principles statement and recruiting key opinion leaders for participation in outreach and education activities. Below are some highlights from the meeting.

Endorsement of NDHI Principles Statement
• The Principles Working Group has developed and endorsed a consensus statement on principles that address conflict-of-interest and accountability issues that were raised during the Summit. The Principles statement reflects the work of a cross-sector stakeholder group and has already been endorsed by several working group member organizations such as AdvaMed, American Osteopathic Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, Cleveland Clinic, Council of Medical Specialty Societies, Eli Lilly & Company, Friends of Cancer Research, Healthcare Leadership Council, Lahey Clinic, Medtronic, and PhRMA, among others. We also hope to secure additional endorsements from Outreach & Education working group member organizations.

• You can access the Principles statement here along with a list of endorsing organizations for your reference. If you, or your organization, are interested in endorsing the Principles statement, please complete the attached endorsement form or contact Debbie Witchey at dwitchey@hlc.org regarding any questions. We hope we can add your name/organization logo to the list of those who have already signed on. By doing so, you give NDHI permission to list your name/organization as a supporter in NDHI materials related to the Principles document. 

• NDHI plans to formally announce these Principles in the next few months with a list of signatories and supporting organizations, and will increase outreach activities to raise awareness and generate additional dialogue from others who have been focused on this issue. As a more immediate step in the next few weeks, NDHI – in conjunction with various working group members – is working to convene a meeting and engage in a robust discussion with representatives from patient advocacy groups to gain their support and endorsement of the Principles statement and invite their participation in our outreach and education activities.

Outreach and Education Activities
• The Outreach & Education Working Group has prepared a detailed plan for communicating with stakeholder groups on the importance of physician-industry collaboration. A critical component of this plan is enlisting key opinion leaders to participate in outreach and education activities and help deliver our message to various stakeholder audiences. We had a productive discussion regarding the role of key opinion leaders in NDHI outreach and education efforts, and members suggested specific leaders who would be critical to garnering support prior to initiating any activities and ensuring a balance in stakeholder perspectives. We will also encourage the key opinion leaders to incorporate our messages on this topic in their own event/speaking engagements. Outreach to these opinion leaders will begin in the next couple of weeks.
• Our goal is to initiate overall Outreach & Education events by March 2012, including stakeholder briefings with specific Congressional members, societies, and trade associations. We are also planning a media event to coincide with these activities and publicly release the endorsed Principles statement. As a result of this outreach, we hope to generate additional support for the Principles document and share critical information to underscore the value of physician-industry collaboration.
• As part of all of these efforts, comprehensive materials have been developed about the role and value of collaboration, including a number of innovation case studies outlining in detail where collaboration has resulted in historic medical breakthroughs that have transformed patient care. These case studies will be helpful in the outreach activities. The NDHI website has been updated with the Principles statement and the complete list of innovation case studies. Please visit www.ndhi.org.

We will continue to update you on our progress, and look forward to receiving your feedback. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Debbie Witchey (dwitchey@hlc.org) if you have any questions or would like to get involved in any of the activities mentioned above.