Evaluating the “return on patient engagement initiatives” in medicines research and development: A literature review

Background Showing how engagement adds value for all stakeholders can be an effective motivator for broader implementation of patient engagement. However, it is unclear what methods can best be used to evaluate patient engagement. This paper is focused on ways to evaluate patient engagement at three decision‐making points in the medicines research and development process: research priority setting, clinical trial design and early dialogues with regulators and health technology assessment bodies. Objective Our aim was to review the literature on monitoring and evaluation of patient engagement, with a focus on indicators and methods. Search strategy and inclusion criteria We undertook a scoping literature review using a systematic search, including academic and grey literature with a focus on evaluation approaches or outcomes associated with patient engagement. No date limits were applied other than a cut‐off of publications after July 2018. Data extraction and synthesis Data were extracted from 91 publications, coded and thematically analysed. Main results A total of 18 benefits and 5 costs of patient engagement were identified, mapped with 28 possible indicators for their evaluation. Several quantitative and qualitative methods were found for the evaluation of benefits and costs of patient engagement. Discussion and conclusions Currently available indicators and methods are of some use in measuring impact but are not sufficient to understand the pathway to impact, nor whether interaction between researchers and patients leads to change. We suggest that the impacts of patient engagement can best be determined not by applying single indicators, but a coherent set of measures.</p

Evaluation of patient engagement in medicine development: a multi‐stakeholder framework with metrics

Background Patient engagement is becoming more customary in medicine development. However, embedding it in organizational decision‐making remains challenging, partly due to lack of agreement on its value and the means to evaluate it. The objective of this project was to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework, with metrics, to demonstrate impact and enhance learning. Methods A consortium of five patient groups, 15 biopharmaceutical companies and two academic groups iteratively created a framework in a multi‐phase participatory process, including analysis of its application in 24 cases. Results The framework includes six components, with 87 metrics and 15 context factors distributed among (sub)components: (a) Input: expectations, preparations, resources, representativeness of stakeholders; (b) Activities/process: structure, management, interactions, satisfaction; (c) Learnings and changes; (d) Impacts: research relevance, study ethics and inclusiveness, study quality and efficiency, quality of evidence and uptake of products, empowerment, reputation and trust, embedding of patient engagement; (e) Context: policy, institutional, community, decision‐making contextual factors. Case study findings show a wide variation in use of metrics. There is no ‘one size fits all’ set of metrics appropriate for every initiative or organization. Presented sample sets of metrics can be tailored to individual situations. Conclusion Introducing change into any process is best done when the value of that change is clear. This framework allows participants to select what metrics they value and assess to what extent patient engagement has contributed. Patient contribution Five patient groups were involved in all phases of the study (design, conduct, interpretation of data) and in writing the manuscript

Wittig-type olefination of alcohols promoted by nickel nanoparticles: synthesis of polymethoxylated and polyhydroxylated stilbenes

Nickel nanoparticles were found to promote the Wittig-type olefination of primary alcohols with phosphorus ylides. The latter can be prepared from the corresponding phosphonium salts with nBuLi or in situ generated with lithium metal. The methodology is especially efficient for the synthesis of stilbenes and is applied in the absence of any additive as ahydrogen acceptor. A new approach to the synthesis of polymethoxylated and polyhydroxylated stilbenes, including resveratrol, DMU-212 and analogues, is presented.Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC); Grant Number: CTQ2007-65218, CSD2007-00006

Actions de diffusion et de sensibilisation a l'information scientifique et technique sur les technologies developpees dans la region Nord-Pas de Calais

SIGLEAvailable at INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : AR 14494 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

CENP-A confers a reduction in height on octameric nucleosomes

Nucleosomes in which histone H3 is replaced by CENP-A direct kinetochore assembly. CENP-A nucleosomes extracted from human and Drosophila cells have been reported to have reduced heights relative to canonical octameric H3 nucleosomes, suggesting a unique tetrameric, hemisomal composition. We demonstrate that even octameric CENP-A nucleosomes assembled in vitro exhibit a reduced height, indicating that they are physically distinct from H3 nucleosomes, and negating the need to invoke the presence of hemisomes

Targeted neurotechnology restores walking in humans with spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury leads to severe locomotor deficits or even complete leg paralysis. Here we introduce targeted spinal cord stimulation neurotechnologies that enabled voluntary control of walking in individuals who had sustained a spinal cord injury more than four years ago and presented with permanent motor deficits or complete paralysis despite extensive rehabilitation. Using an implanted pulse generator with real-time triggering capabilities, we delivered trains of spatially selective stimulation to the lumbosacral spinal cord with timing that coincided with the intended movement. Within one week, this spatiotemporal stimulation had re-established adaptive control of paralysed muscles during overground walking. Locomotor performance improved during rehabilitation. After a few months, participants regained voluntary control over previously paralysed muscles without stimulation and could walk or cycle in ecological settings during spatiotemporal stimulation. These results establish a technological framework for improving neurological recovery and supporting the activities of daily living after spinal cord injury