Img Alt - Mobile header

Congress

Adherence: Whose Problem Is It?

This panel session explored the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including patients, health economists, medical societies, and healthcare professionals, in enhancing medication adherence through a collaborative and multifaceted approach. The discussion underscored the importance of patient engagement and transparency in their own care while emphasizing the responsibility of healthcare professionals and caregivers to foster…

Patient’s voice: Bridging the relationship to improve medication adherence 

Heidi Floyd shared her personal experiences as both a breast cancer patient and caregiver for her mother, who also faced breast cancer. Through her touching story, Heidi Floyd emphasized the critical importance of building a strong patient-doctor relationship, where patients feel empowered to advocate for their own care. She highlighted the need for healthcare providers…

Technology: AI, And the physician-patient relationship 

This technology session explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and its impact on the physician-patient relationship. Dr. Evan Muse set the scene by providing the historical context of technological advancements, highlighting how AI and digital health tools are reshaping care delivery. He emphasized the evolution of AI from basic rule-based systems…

“Don’t remind me to take my medication”: Exploring behaviors behind medication non-adherence

This session explores the complex issue of medication non-adherence, moving beyond the common assumption that it primarily results from forgetfulness. Drawing on evidence that reminder devices alone do not significantly improve adherence, Prof. John Weinman highlights the complexity of this phenomenon, which has been linked to over 700 distinct factors1. By introducing the COM-B model2,…

Non-adherence without borders: Cross continent perspectives and local realities

The importance of medication adherence in cardiovascular disease management is highlighted in this session with the presentation of a health economic study conducted in three middle-income countries: Mexico, Thailand, and China1.Prof. Arintaya Phrommintikul highlights the clinical consequences of non-adherence and emphasizes recommendations for better risk factor control. Prof. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk delves into the study, demonstrating…

The silent epidemic: Unmasking the global impact of ​non-adherence

As the lead author of the OECD’s 2018 milestone report on adherence1, Rabia Khan discussed in her session how medication non-adherence remains a significant and overlooked global health challenge impacting millions, leading to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Despite efforts to address this issue over the past 20 years, the problem persists, with…

Opening address: Setting the stage for adherence dialogue

Dr. Sheri D. Pruitt, the chair of the event, Prof. John Weinman, the honorary chair, as well as Kathryn McKenzie from Abbott, welcome you to the 3rd edition of the a:care Congress. Kathryn McKenzie set the stage by highlighting that good health is key to thriving communities, and with the a:care initiative, Abbott aims to…

Concluding reflections: Key takeaways and future directions

Dr. Sheri D. Pruitt and Prof. John Weinman concluded the congress by sharing key takeaways and emphasizing that change does not happen on its own; it requires effort, persistence, and action from all stakeholders to address the problem of non-adherence. Speakers Dr. Sheri D. Pruitt Prof. John Weinman

Ms. Kathryn McKenzie

Ms. Kathryn McKenzie United States Kathryn serves as Divisional Vice President, Global Citizenship and Sustainability, leading Abbott’s global citizenship programs and sustainability efforts. She is also Vice President of Abbott Fund, a philanthropic foundation established in 1951 that partners with others to expand access to health care, strengthen communities worldwide, and promote science and health…

Prof. Shoaib Afzal

Prof. Shoaib Afzal Denmark Prof. Shoaib Afzal is an active researcher and medical doctor with a profound dedication to advancing knowledge in the fields of clinical epidemiology and lipidology in cardiovascular disease. Prof. Afzal obtained his medical degree from the University of Copenhagen in January 2005, followed by a Ph.D. in 2011 and a Doctor…

Assoc. Prof. Arintaya Phrommintikul

Assoc. Prof. Arintaya Phrommintikul Thailand Assoc. Prof. Arintaya Phrommintikul is a consultant cardiologist and lecturer at the Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. Dr. Arintaya’s main interests include preventive cardiology, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cardiac imaging, and heart failure. She leads the CORE-Thailand study, a cohort of high-risk patients…

Dr. Rabia Khan

Dr. Rabia Khan Australia Dr. Rabia Khan is an epidemiologist and a public health specialist with over 20 years of experience in the health sector. She has extensive experience in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities through better use of data and evidence. She has a master’s in public health and has been awarded…

Dr. Miguel Angel Diaz-Aguilera

Dr. Miguel Angel Diaz-Aguilera Mexico Dr. Miguel Angel Diaz-Aguilera did his Doctor of Medicine, specialized in integrated medicine with studies in economic evaluation of sanitary technologies. He is mainly interested in prevention and treatment of chronic cardiometabolic diseases and clinical research. He is Speaker at national and international forums, congresses, and seminars addressing topics related…

Prof. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk

Prof. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk United States Dr. Nathorn is a Professor in the College of Pharmacy at The University of Utah. His expertise is in Health Technology Assessment and Health Policy. He has applied health economics, real world data analysis, and evidence synthesis to support national and global policy, especially his contributions to the World Health…

Ms. Heidi Floyd

Ms. Heidi Floyd, Patient advocate United States Ms. Heidi Floyd is a sought-after influencer with over 10 years of experience in healthcare and breast cancer non-profit management. Her diverse skill set includes social media marketing, corporate philanthropy, relationship management, partnership cultivation and program development. Ms. Heidi is a powerful communicator, public speaker and published author.…

Dr. Evan Muse

Dr. Evan Muse United States Dr. Evan Muse is a preventive cardiologist dedicated to reducing the health burdens associated with heart disease. His mission is to identify risk factors in patients to optimize lifestyle and treatment strategies before the symptoms of heart disease manifest. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Associate Program…

Session: Panel discussion – Sharing reflections and best practice

Too many physicians miss non-adherence because they are not aware of how common it is, and too many patients think that a decline in their symptoms means they have overcome their health challenge and can stop their medication. Having a long-term treatment prescribed is a huge change in a person’s life. Healthcare professionals need to…

Session: Panel discussion – Raising adherence as a public health priority

This panel discussion aimed to identify and catalyze ideas to raise awareness of adherence as a public health priority. In this panel discussion, experts share their perspectives on medication non-adherence as a public health priority taking into consideration regional challenges and particularities. The group discussed the importance of building networks through workshops and conferences, raising…