Best Practices in HEOR Organizational Structure for Efficiency and Collaboration in the Digital Age
Why This Matters
The rapid evolution of healthcare demands that Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) functions not only demonstrate the value of therapies to payers and regulators but also adapt to technological advances. According to a report by ISPOR, digital health innovations like AI and real-world evidence (RWE) platforms are becoming integral to HEOR, enabling faster evidence generation and better payer engagement.
Yet, many organizations struggle with disjointed workflows, inefficient resource allocation, and poor cross-functional alignment within their HEOR functions. These challenges can result in delayed market access and suboptimal outcomes. By implementing best practices in HEOR organizational structure, organizations can optimize efficiency, enhance collaboration, and future-proof their processes in this competitive healthcare landscape.
This article explores actionable strategies for restructuring HEOR functions, integrating digital health, and achieving operational excellence.
Interested in learning more?
Setting the Stage
Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) is a critical function in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. It plays a pivotal role in:
- Demonstrating the clinical and economic value of therapies.
- Supporting pricing, reimbursement, and market access strategies.
- Generating real-world evidence to meet payer and regulatory demands.
In traditional models, HEOR functions often face silos between global and regional teams, inefficiencies in workflows, and a lack of alignment with other functions like medical affairs and market access. Furthermore, as real-world evidence (RWE) and digital health tools become central to healthcare innovation, organizations need to redesign their HEOR structures to leverage these advancements effectively.
The Big Question
How can life sciences companies optimize their HEOR organizational structure to maximize efficiency, align cross-functional teams, and leverage digital health innovations for better payer and patient outcomes?
Optimizing HEOR: A Strategic Framework for Success
- Building a Hybrid Organizational Structure
A well-structured HEOR function should balance centralized strategy with regional execution.
- Centralized Strategy: Global HEOR teams should lead in creating value frameworks, global value dossiers (GVDs), and economic models.
- Regional Execution: Regional teams can adapt these resources to meet specific payer and regulatory requirements.
This hybrid model ensures consistency while enabling flexibility to address local market needs.
- Leveraging Digital Health and Automation
Digital health technologies can revolutionize HEOR workflows by automating routine tasks and accelerating insights. Key tools include:
- AI for Evidence Generation: Automating literature reviews, economic model updates, and systematic reviews.
- Real-World Evidence Platforms: Integrating data from claims, EMRs, and patient registries to generate actionable insights.
- Cloud Collaboration Tools: Streamlining communication between global and regional teams, reducing inefficiencies.
- Enhancing Cross-Functional Collaboration
HEOR must work closely with medical affairs, market access, and commercial teams to deliver cohesive value propositions. Best practices include:
- Shared Digital Workspaces: Use platforms that enable real-time updates and data sharing.
- Early Engagement: Involve HEOR early in clinical trial design to ensure endpoints relevant to payers are included.
- Regular Cross-Functional Workshops: Align on objectives, priorities, and deliverables.
- Prioritizing Resource Allocation
Efficient resource allocation ensures HEOR teams focus on high-impact projects.
- Use predictive analytics to identify high-priority areas, such as new product launches or therapies for high-burden diseases.
- Adopt a scalable resource model, balancing internal expertise with external vendor support for specialized tasks.
Real-World Insights: Case Study
Client: A Global Biopharma Company Specializing in Oncology
Challenge: The client struggled with fragmented HEOR workflows, inconsistent value dossiers, and limited use of RWE in payer submissions.
Approach:
- Introduced a hybrid HEOR structure with centralized strategy and regional execution.
- Integrated an AI-powered platform to automate evidence generation and streamline RWE analysis.
- Created a shared digital workspace for cross-functional collaboration between HEOR, medical affairs, and market access teams.
Results:
- Reduced project timelines by 30%.
- Improved payer engagement success rates by 15%.
- Achieved a 25% reduction in resource costs through automation and streamlined workflows.
Hurdles and Opportunities
Hurdles
- Resistance to Change: Teams may be hesitant to adopt new technologies or workflows.
- Data Integration Challenges: Combining real-world data from multiple sources can be complex.
- Resource Constraints: Implementing advanced tools requires upfront investment.
Opportunities
- AI and Predictive Analytics: Continued advancements in AI will further automate and optimize HEOR processes.
- Personalized Evidence Generation: Digital health tools can enable tailored value propositions for specific payer needs.
- Scalability: Cloud-based solutions can support seamless scaling as organizational needs evolve.
Key Takeaways
- Adopt a Hybrid HEOR Structure: Centralized strategy and regional execution ensure consistency and adaptability.
- Leverage Digital Health Innovations: AI, RWE platforms, and automation tools can revolutionize workflows.
- Foster Collaboration: Cross-functional alignment is critical to delivering impactful payer narratives and value propositions.
By embracing these practices, life sciences companies can optimize their HEOR functions for the digital era and stay ahead in a competitive healthcare environment.
Explore More
For further insights on HEOR and digital transformation, check out:
- ISPOR Resources: www.ispor.org
- Health Affairs: www.healthaffairs.org
- PharmaExec Articles: www.pharmexec.com
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on integrating digital health into HEOR organizational structures? Let’s connect on LinkedIn, or feel free to book a consultation with me, Peyman Moh. Together, we can shape the future of HEOR!