The new research introduces a new framework for assessing the value of diagnostic techniques in healthcare.
“Our work redefines the value proposition of diagnostic technology beyond cost-effectiveness.” Dr. Tayana Soukup Researcher of human factors, Surgery Cancer Bureau
Traditionally, the concept of “value proposition” (commonly used in business) has not had a clear definition within the health sector, particularly with regard to diagnostic tools. The purpose of this study is to fill that gap by providing a comprehensive understanding of the unique benefits these technologies offer.
Leading by a team science approach, this innovative study led by members of the NIHR Healthech Research Center for surgical cancer department and in vitro diagnosis, was published in Frontiers in Medicine.
This study identified several challenges in assessing the value of diagnostic techniques.
Ambiguous definitions: Existing interpretations often overlook important aspects such as patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Measurement Difficulty: Capturing both tangible benefits (e.g. cost-effectiveness) and intangible benefits (e.g., enhanced clinical decision-making) presents an important hurdle. Diverse stakeholder perspectives: Integrating opinions from clinicians, industry experts, patients and policy makers is essential and complicated.
Team Science Approach
Researchers have adopted an interdisciplinary approach to redefine the value proposition of diagnostic tools, attracting experts from various fields. They discover that true value extends beyond mere cost considerations, covering improved patient care, improved decision-making, and streamlined workflows. This comprehensive perspective led to the development of flexible, evidence-based definitions that could be adapted to the evolving needs of healthcare.
Speaking about the team-based approach to research, Dr. Tayana Soukup, researcher at Human Factors in the Department of Surgery Cancer and the Joint First Approval Division, said: We embrace a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that improves patient outcomes, enhances operational efficiency, and integrates collective insights from diverse stakeholders. In our view, creating a compelling value proposition is itself a team science effort.
“The collective intelligence of researchers, clinicians, engineers, engineers, patients, policymakers and industries is necessary to conceptualize and communicate how diagnostic innovation improves care, outcomes, and resource management. By integrating these perspectives early and frequently, teams can incubate and accelerate diagnosis, and accelerate towards meaningful impacts at both the local and system-wide levels.”
It creates clarity
Establishing a clearer value proposition allows healthcare providers and innovators to more effectively communicate the benefits of new diagnostic techniques. This clarity could lead to increased patient care, more efficient resource use, and increased investment in innovations that address real health care challenges. Ultimately, this approach could change how diagnosis is adopted and utilized throughout the healthcare system.
Professor George Hanna, Head of Surgery and Cancer and Senior Authors, highlighted the importance of this research, saying, “As a surgeon, I see every day how important a robust diagnostic tool is to provide effective patient care. Efficiency for economic viability in developing this integrated perspective. And not only advance our field, but innovation promotes better care and sets more efficient resource use across the health care system.”
Professor Peter Buckle, a leading researcher in the Department of Surgery Cancer and Co-author Human Factors, said, “Diagnostic innovation helps patients, clinicians and others make better decisions about care and treatment interventions. We can understand how such innovations change the real world of our health systems and how they do.
Dr. Maria Bernada Zamora Taraya, a researcher in Health Economics at the Department of Surgery Cancer and the Joint First Authorization Bureau, said, “While we are widely aware of the value of diagnosis, the measurement of this value and compensation is still limited. A subsidiary of treatment as a measure of cost and short-term clinical outcomes, or a companion diagnosis.”
This study represents an important step towards a more subtle and comprehensive assessment of diagnostic techniques, paving the way for innovation that can meet the complex needs of modern healthcare.
Defining value propositions in diagnostic techniques: Challenges and opportunities for their understanding and development – Review with multi-objective reflective analysis. Tayana Soukup, Bernarda Zamora-Talaya, Shayan Bahadori, Rosario Luckardo, Patrick Kierkegaard, Omar Butt, Hannah Kettley-Linsell, Katerina-Vanessa Savva, Massimo Micocci, Shanshan Zhou, Simon Walne Newne, Christ Peter Buckle, George B. Hannah, NIHR HRC IVD PPIE Team. Frontier of Medicine, 2025.
