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Articles and Podcasts
We regularly post informative material to help spread the word about the importance of patient engagement.
Use the filter on the right of the page to explore specific categories, or click the blue category buttons on each thumbnail to see more pieces in that category.
Category Descriptions
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PEP Talks podcast episodes – interviews with patient engagement professionals
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Event highlights – summaries of conferences, summits etc.
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Community submissions – articles kindly provided by ISPEPers around the world
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Member exclusives – content available to paid Hub members only
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ISPEP announcements – key news from the society team
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ISPEP Voice – hear our team's perspectives on patient engagement topics
Thank you to all the ISPEPers who have kindly submitted articles or been interviewed for our podcast!
Featured
Change Champions — Carrying the Change Together
As we mark International Patient Engagement Day 2025, I feel both proud and deeply inspired to reflect on the extraordinary journey of our community at the International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP). This year’s theme, “Carry the Change”, perfectly captures the spirit of our global network. Around the world, patient engagement professionals are not only driving transformation within their own organisations and communities, they are carrying that change
Emma Sutcliffe
Oct 153 min read
Closing the Engagement Gap: From Rhetoric to Meaningful Patient Partnership
This article critically examines the engagement gap – the gulf between intentions and implementation – and offers strategies to better align patient engagement rhetoric with real-world practice across healthcare systems, policy, and industry.
Marie Ennis-O'Connor
Aug 146 min read
Meaningful inclusion of LGBT+ patients: what can Pharma do?
In respect of Pride Month 2025, Olivia Kersey, Patient Affairs Consultant and ISPEP Managing Editor outlines how Pharma can better support the LGBTQIA+ community through trial design and more.
Olivia Kersey
Jun 276 min read
Five pillars of patient engagement in low-resource settings: success stories from thyroid advocacy in Kenya
To provide insight into successful patient advocacy in regions where it is relatively new and inspire replication in similar contexts, this article presents an outline of TDAK’s holistic, grassroots-to-global model, which is structured around five core pillars: awareness, education, empowerment, support systems, and community partnerships.
Sarah Katulle
Jun 196 min read
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ISPEP publish PEP Talks Words of Wisdom — free to download now on the ISPEP Hub
In honour of International Patient Engagement Day 2025, we’re proud to release a special resource for our community: the PEP Talks Words of Wisdom e-book, showcasing highlights from our popular podcast.
ISPEP
Oct 141 min read
Calling for Collaboration with Ify Osunkwo
In this episode of PEP Talks, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, host Emma interviews Ify, the Chief Patient Officer for the rare disease franchise at Novo Nordisk. Ify shares her journey from being a haematologist-oncologist to becoming a Chief Patient Officer, highlighting the unique path that led her from academia to the pharmaceutical industry.
ISPEP
Oct 131 min read
Breaking the PEP mould in industry: infusing lived experience into the C-suite in 'Big Pharma'
Lisa's role, co-created with Roche's patient co-creation council, marks a bold step in patient engagement, emphasising collaboration and precision engagement. Lisa's diverse background, including a PhD in medical history, informs her approach to amplifying patient voices.
ISPEP
Oct 21 min read
Pulverising for Patients: Stamping Out Stigma in Brain Health
In this hard-hitting PEP Talk, we hear first-hand what it’s like to endure a decade where healthcare systems fail to take your life threatening symptoms seriously.
ISPEP
Sep 161 min read
Marlene in the making: From health literacy diplomat to outstanding advocate for patient voices in rare diseases with focus on DEI
In this episode, Marlene Vincent emphasises the importance of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration with patient communities, highlighting the role of technology and AI in advancing patient advocacy. She also reflects on the emotional challenges of the job and the importance of self-care.
ISPEP
Aug 61 min read
From newly-diagnosed to FDA advisor: a PBC advocate’s story
Danielle's story is a testament to the power of community, education, and the relentless pursuit of advocacy to drive meaningful change in healthcare.
ISPEP
Jun 161 min read
PEP Talk: Dr Anthony Yanni explains to ISPEP how "DNP will set you free!"
For any ISPEPer who's been described as 'relentless' or faced the existential crisis of their job being culled, or if you simply want to hear from the Master about his favourite example of patient-centric care... then this is the PEP Talk for you. Warning: This PEP Talk will inspire... Sponsored by
ISPEP
Jun 51 min read
PEP Talk: Alex The Alchemist
From Medicinal Chemist to Pharma Change Agent: hear from our very own CEO, Alexandra Charge, about the personal and professional pivots that shaped her vision for trust-first, patient-centric clinical trials. Sponsored by
ISPEP
Jun 51 min read
Measuring the impact of patient engagement: a Novartis perspective
Michaela Dinboeck shares insights on the challenges and successes of building a robust patient engagement function within a large organisation, highlighting the significance of measuring impact and capability building.
ISPEP
May 171 min read
PEP Talks: When compliance says "no", Rina Newton asks "why not?"
Special guest: Rina Newton Fear of breaching compliance codes often leads to inertia in pharmaceutical companies. In this episode of PEP Talks, Emma interviews renowned pharma compliance expert Rina Newton, discussing how we can pilot innovative methods to break down barriers to effective patient engagement practices. Sponsored by
ISPEP
May 61 min read
PEP Talks: The CMO's Leadership in Patient-Centric Innovation
Special guest: Dr. David Gillen, Chief Medical Officer, Norgine In this episode of PEP Talks, Emma interviews Dr. David Gillen, discussing the evolution and importance of patient engagement in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Gillen emphasises the critical role of patient engagement professionals in drug development and acknowledges the challenges and benefits of integrating patient voices into clinical trials, regulatory frameworks, and medical affairs. The conversation also
ISPEP
Apr 11 min read
PEP Talks: Revolutionising treatment using real world data
Special guest: Mark Bradley, Founder and CEO, PeopleWith Mark shares his journey from working as a student nurse in Northern Ireland to founding the PeopleWith platform, inspired by his mission to use real-world data to inform clinical trials and patient care. Sponsored by
ISPEP
Mar 141 min read
For this PEP, it's personal: bringing patient voices into paediatric trial design
Hear from Begoña, whose expertise includes developing high-fidelity clinical simulations to enhance paediatric clinical trial designs, ensuring that patient and family experiences are central to the research process.
ISPEP
Mar 111 min read
PEP Talks: Persuasive Petersen making a lasting impact for patients at every stage of product development
Special guest: Dr. Gudula Petersen, Global Patient Engagement Lead at Grünenthal Group In this insightful conversation, Dr. Petersen talks about the strategies and challenges of amplifying the patient voice within large organisations. She shares her expertise in uniting diverse stakeholders, navigating compliance landscapes, and ensuring that patient perspectives are at the forefront of product development. Her approach not only enhances patient outcomes but also enriches the
ISPEP
Mar 91 min read
PEP Talks: Overcoming Inertia with Paul Simms
Special guest: Paul Simms, Impatient Health This PEP Talks episode features an engaging conversation between Emma and Paul Simms, founder and chief executive of Impatient Health. Sponsored by Norgine, the discussion delves into the challenges and frustrations of patient engagement in the pharmaceutical industry. Paul shares his journey and the motivation behind founding Impatient, emphasising the need for a culture of continuous experimentation and adaptation in pharma. Spons
ISPEP
Mar 91 min read
PEP Talks: How an “accidental advocate” is re-writing the communications rules for patients
Special guest: Monica Kleijn Evason, Communications Coach and Advocate In this episode, Monica shares her advocacy journey, prompted by her son's brain tumour diagnosis and their struggles with the medical system. She stresses the importance of communication and empathy in healthcare, especially for young survivors post-treatment. Sponsored by
ISPEP
Feb 171 min read
Driven by empathy, fuelled by business: How ISPEP supports all patient professionals
Special guest: Emma Sutcliffe, Chief Patient Officer, ISPEP In a twist, Emma is interviewed by Alexandra Charge, CEO of ISPEP, about her new role as Chief Patient Officer. Emma shares her journey from a medical biochemist to a patient engagement professional, emphasising the importance of empathy and strategic business practices in the pharmaceutical industry. Sponsored by
ISPEP
Feb 171 min read
PEP Talks: How being an 'outsider' brings emotional resonance to the science of patient engagement
Special guest: Rasmus Hjorth, Head of Communication at James Lind Care In this episode, Emma interviews Rasmus Hjorth, Head of Communication at James Lind Care, a clinical trial research organisation. Rasmus discusses the challenges of patient recruitment for clinical trials, emphasising the need for increased awareness, education, and simplified communication. Sponsored by
ISPEP
Feb 171 min read
PEP Talks Episode 7: Core skill sets for honest and empathic patient engagement
Special guest: Steve Clark, Strive for Five In this episode of PEP Talks, Emma interviews Steve Clark, a cancer survivor and patient advocate. Steve shares his journey from diagnosis to founding Strive for Five, a non-profit focused on providing hope to others with cancer. He discusses the importance of effective communication between patients and doctors, the nocebo effect, and the bio-psychosocial model of care. Steve emphasizes the power of positivity and the importance of
ISPEP
Nov 18, 20241 min read
PEP Talks Episode 6: Fighting for patients in every way
Special guest: Stacy Hurt, Chief Patient Officer, Parexel Stacy Hurt, Chief Patient Officer at Parexel, shares her journey and role in a PEP Talks podcast sponsored by Medscape. As a stage four colorectal cancer survivor and caregiver to her son with profound disabilities, Stacy brings authenticity and a unique perspective to her position. She emphasizes the importance of patient engagement in clinical trials, advocating for the inclusion of patient voices to improve trial de
ISPEP
Nov 18, 20241 min read
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