The role of collaborative, multistakeholder partnerships in reshaping
the health management of patients with noncommunicable diseases during
and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Background Policies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted the
screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of noncommunicable (NCD)
patients while affecting NCD prevention and risk factor control. Aims To
discuss how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health
management of NCD patients, identify which aspects should be carried
forward into future NCD management, and propose collaborative efforts
among public-private institutions to effectively shape NCD care models.
Methods The NCD Partnership, a collaboration between Upjohn and the
European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, held a
virtual Advisory Board in July 2020 with multiple stakeholders;
healthcare professionals (HCPs), policymakers, researchers, patient and
informal carer advocacy groups, patient empowerment organizations, and
industry experts. Results The Advisory Board identified barriers to NCD
care during the COVID-19 pandemic in four areas: lack of NCD management
guidelines; disruption to integrated care and shift from hospital-based
NCD care to more community and primary level care; infodemics and a lack
of reliable health information for patients and HCPs on how to manage
NCDs; lack of availability, training, standardization, and regulation of
digital health tools. Conclusions Multistakeholder partnerships can
promote swift changes to NCD prevention and patient care. Intra- and
inter-communication between all stakeholders should be facilitated
involving all players in the development of clinical guidelines and
digital health tools, health and social care restructuring, and patient
support in the short-, medium- and long-term future. A comprehensive
response to NCDs should be delivered to improve patient outcomes by
providing strategic, scientific, and economic support