Harnessing Old Data to Shape the Future of Healthcare

Recent research highlights the promising potential of reusing existing patient preference studies to make healthcare research more sustainable and efficient. Traditionally, studies exploring what patients value in their treatments are costly and lengthy, often producing results that are underutilized beyond their initial purpose. However, a collaborative effort led by scientists from the University of Twente and international partners has identified ways to leverage previous research findings to inform drug development and regulatory decisions.

A pivotal study published in Value in Health analyzed 777 published patient preference studies across various medical fields. The analysis revealed that in areas like type 2 diabetes, many studies employ similar methodologies and focus on comparable clinical topics. This consistency opens the door for 'benefit transfer'—a process where data from multiple studies are combined statistically to predict patient preferences in new contexts. While this approach is more straightforward in some areas, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic conditions, it also presents opportunities in more fragmented fields like cancer, psoriasis, and sclerosis.

Implementing benefit transfer can significantly enhance research efficiency by reducing redundant studies, saving resources, and maintaining a continuous influx of patient perspectives into treatment decisions and policy-making. As Michael Bui from the Department of Health Technology and Services Research explains, "By reusing existing patient preference data, we can accelerate decision-making and sustain the efforts of past academic endeavors."

Despite the advantages, the review emphasizes the need for better reporting practices and standardized definitions of clinical endpoints to maximize the utility of prior studies. Clearer guidelines could expand the benefits of data reuse across various medical fields. Importantly, the study does not advocate abandoning new preference studies altogether; rather, it promotes smarter use of existing evidence where applicable, supplementing ongoing research where gaps remain.

This innovative approach paves the way for more sustainable and patient-centered healthcare development, ensuring that valuable patient insights continue to inform advancements and policies long after initial studies are completed.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-future-health.html