Patient Week 2024 demonstrates importance of #PatientPoweredProgress

Last year saw the debut of Patient Week in the US. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of patient perspectives, engagement, and advocacy in the development and delivery of healthcare solutions. The success of a week of programming and activities devoted to recognizing and inspiring how Boehringer Ingelheim is putting patients at the center of everything led to a global adoption and expansion into a longer Patient Month campaign in 2024. Within this broader effort, US colleagues worked across functions and teams to create another focused week, held 23-27 of September, championing patient centricity, and highlighting critical patient and care partner insights that drive innovation.

During Patient Week various activities and programs are organized to empower employees and encourage collaboration across departments, ultimately enhancing the patient experience. This year’s activities focused on the theme of Patient-Powered Progress and included interactive experiences, panel discussions, and stories showcasing the unique journeys patients and their families must go on to find care. From one patient speaker we heard that when fighting for one’s health stigma and bias also plays a critical role in determining care, “It’s exhausting living in a larger body but not because of our larger bodies but because of the weight society puts on us.” Insights like this demonstrate how multi-dimensional care and access issues can be and how we need to work in partnership with patients and patient organizations as well as health care providers to create a better care ecosystem for all. 

Employees were also given opportunities to learn about social determinants of health, gain insights into patient needs across multiple disease areas, and understand the impact of their work on patients' lives. Patient Week serves as a platform to bring together and foster employee engagement and collaboration across different roles and departments. By working together and exchanging ideas, employees gain a deeper understanding of patients’ needs, leading to the development of more effective and patient-centered solutions.

Patient Week at Boehringer Ingelheim goes beyond a one-week event; it aims to create a lasting impact on the company's culture and practices. The activities and discussions during this week spark ongoing conversations about patient centricity and embed a patient-focused mindset within the organization. By prioritizing patient perspectives and involving them in decision-making processes, Boehringer strives to develop innovative solutions that truly meet the needs of patients, improving their quality of life and overall healthcare experience.