Expanded access care, early access care, or post-trial access is a medical pathway that makes additional treatments available to patients with severe critical and chronic conditions. This pathway is exclusively available to patients who meet specific strict criteria, such as other medical treatment results, the severity of the health condition, and the patient population.Â
Expanded access care treatment programs focus on trialing treatments that are not yet approved by regulatory entities such as the FDA. Nevertheless, these treatments have changed the lives of countless critical patients.
A few benefits of expanded access care programs include increased quality of life, better symptom management, extended life expectancy, and more.
That said, expanded access care programs are transforming healthcare in the following key ways.Â
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Improved Patient Engagement
These medical pathways enable patients to take control of their health. Patients are able to make active decisions in managing their health when existing approved treatments fail to provide relief from symptoms and the condition itself.
Both telemedicine and online patient portals make it possible for chronically ill patients to schedule consultations, communicate with healthcare practitioners, and access their own medical history. These factors nurture patient engagement.
Regulate Healthcare Inconsistencies
Because expanded access care programs help patients take back control of their healthcare, it’s possible to minimize healthcare inconsistencies that stem from inaccessible services and the high cost of healthcare.
Better Preventative Care
Expanded access makes healthcare more accessible, and treatment plans are a lot more personalized to individual patient needs. With this, patient symptoms are managed better, and preventative care is more effective.Â
Contributing To Healthcare Research
Treatment plans aim to assist severely ill patients who are not responding to existing approved treatments. As a result, each patient’s records add to healthcare research relevant to the specific chronic condition; this means that future patients will have access to effective treatments when regulatory entities approve them.
Affordability
Affordability is a significant benefit of expanded access programs. These investigational treatments involve initial costs, but the potential cost savings for patients is substantial. Early intervention and chronic disease management become more affordable, potentially transforming the medical industry. This approach reduces the costs of treating advanced health conditions that would otherwise break the bank for many patients.
By eliminating in-person consultations and improving communication between patients and healthcare practitioners, patients can save a fortune in healthcare costs. Because the costs of healthcare are often a barrier between patients and the care they need, this factor is a prominent benefit.
Investigational healthcare programs have the potential to revolutionize healthcare in various ways, from reducing healthcare costs and contributing to healthcare research to helping patients manage symptoms better and enhancing healthcare accessibility.
Nevertheless, if you want to apply for expanded access care treatment solutions, it’s essential to work with your healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you meet the criteria. Moreover, your doctor will highlight the pros and cons of these treatment programs, considering your unique health condition and medical history.
