HBSQuarterly

Dear Reader,

Within this edition of the HBS Quarterly, we have focused on a number of topical areas within Healthcare from both the business and clinical perspectives. As the Healthcare industry continues to evolve, so the distinction between the two is blurring. Progressively, clinicians who may have in the past been relatively unconcerned with the commercial implications of their activities, begin to think more and more in such terms and reflect this in their actions.

One of the reasons we have chosen to include an article on CRM in healthcare is not solely to highlight our new strategic review on this topic but because it is fascinating to consider how a strong CRM strategy can benefit both company and physician in terms of business and clinical success.

The article on imaging, with particular reference to PET/CT adoption in the US and Europe partly examines how some providers and practitioners have become accustomed to using a particular technology or protocol. This affiliation tends to occur when a previously ring fenced technology or modality begins to compete with another modality, the reasons for which are generally twofold; either driven by globalisation, i.e. a practice which has been restricted to one market or continent which gains endorsement or is defined as best practice in another market (traditionally this happens between Europe and North America) or, and these are not mutually exclusive, when technological enhancements mean an existing modality expands into another modality’s sphere of influence (PET/CT in oncology).

The article on neuromodulation seeks to review current trends in product approvals/release in this emerging and lucrative market where some key merger and acquisition activity has been noted as the key players jostle for market leading positions.

We hope you find these, and the other article on pricing in this edition interesting and thought provoking, and any comments and queries you may have are appreciated.

Yours Sincerely,

James Wood, Consulting Director