"Mind the Patient": IBSA Italy’s New Patient Advocacy Project

“Mind the Patient – From Listening to Patient Care: Together for Progress”, IBSA Italy's new patient advocacy project, was launched today in collaboration with Anmar – National Rheumatic Disease Patients Association. This initiative stems from the growing awareness of the need for a deeper understanding of patient needs, with the goal of raising public awareness, improving early diagnosis, and promoting a more personalized therapeutic approach.

IBSA Italy, historically committed to placing patients and their needs at the center, is further strengthening this commitment by fostering open and constructive dialogue with all organizations that provide daily support to patients, families, and caregivers. Patient associations are vital reference points for those dealing with chronic and degenerative diseases, and their involvement in therapeutic decisions is essential for improving healthcare. 

The "Mind the Patient" project consists of two days of discussions focused on the Musculoskeletal and Human Reproduction areas, aimed at fostering a shared reflection among all healthcare system stakeholders, with the patient always at the center of the debate. The initiative seeks to highlight lesser-known needs, such as the difficulty in accessing appropriate treatments, and promote awareness projects that can help improve patients' quality of life. A key aspect of patient advocacy is precisely this: creating a support network that goes beyond medical care by recognizing the importance of empathetic listening and inclusive health policies. 

At the same time, the project aims to foster an internal culture of advocacy, raising awareness within corporate teams about the importance of being closer to patients' needs, not only from a therapeutic perspective but also from a human and social standpoint. To amplify and make the message more effective, a communication format has been developed that integrates various strategies, including video storytelling with interviews with patients, experts, and association representatives, dynamic talk shows to stimulate dialogue, and graphic recording to visually represent the key points that emerged during the events. 

The first event, held on April 8th, focused on the musculoskeletal area, addressing osteoarthritis, one of the most common joint diseases, characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited movement. The disease, which significantly impacts patients' quality of life, is often underestimated, with symptoms like morning stiffness, pain during specific activities, and joint cracking not being recognized in a timely manner. This delay in diagnosis can severely compromise the treatment journey. Therefore, events like "Mind the Patient" are crucial for raising public awareness and encouraging a collective reflection on the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and pain management. 

During the event, sector experts and representatives of patient associations discussed these topics. Among the participants were Silvia Tonolo, President of ANMAR ODV (National Rheumatic Disease Patients Association), Maria Grazia Pisu, President of Alomar (Regional Rheumatic Disease Patients Association), Mario Vetrano, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Rome Sapienza, and Andrea Reggiani, Co-founder of ANFI (National Association of Interventional Physiatry). 

With the "Mind the Patient" project, IBSA Italy reaffirms its commitment to attentive and responsible listening to patients, promoting continuous and constructive dialogue that leads to concrete and increasingly personalized solutions. This approach represents a fundamental step toward more human-centered medicine, prioritizing the needs of those living with a chronic disease and improving access to appropriate and innovative treatments.

Watch the live stream at this link.