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Q&A

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge in your field?

Science, technology, and patient empowerment are not moving at the same rate. I am a big believer in all three of these things, but trying to get them working together to drive towards a scientifically credible outcome that is precise, reliable, timely, complete, non-burdensome, and meaningful for patients, regulators, and payers is very, very difficult indeed. We are starting to make some progress, but we are still a long way from making the most of the empowered and technologically rich environment of routine practice.

What do you like most and least about your job?

I love that we have an opportunity to listen and learn every day to patients, and that we have the skills to turn what we hear into outcomes and endpoints against which we can measure the benefit of interventions. I feel great about this. I am absolutely convinced, however, that the field of outcomes research—and particularly clinical outcome assessment—needs to adapt to the current environment and make the most of the connected environment in which many people live. Unfortunately, there are few decision makers who are looking at this with sufficient rapidity to blaze a trail that straddles good science and meaningful data. This frustrates me.

What is the first book you remember reading?

I only read one book as a child. It was called Stig of the Dump and was about a caveman trying to live in the (relatively) modern era. I often find the book analogous to the healthcare systems in which I now work!

Who would you have over for a dinner party, and what would you talk to them about?

I know what kind of answer you should give to this question…but I have less interest in academic or clinical discussions in my spare time. Instead I would invite Tommy Cooper – and it would not be for a discussion. I would just ask him to talk so that I could listen and laugh, and laugh, and laugh.

What would you like to see DIA do for you in the future?

DIA has a really exciting set of Communities touching on broad and interesting topics. I would like to see greater collaborative research conducted among these Communities, with DIA sponsoring or rewarding those who help to drive the field of drug development forward through collaboration.

BIOGRAPHY

Matthew Reaney, MS, is a Chartered and Practitioner Health Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist, a Fellow of both the Royal Societies of Medicine and Public Health, and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He has recently joined IQVIA as a Scientific Lead in the Patient Centered Endpoints group, focusing on understanding and measuring patient-relevant outcomes and experiences in a scientifically sound way. This includes both outcome evaluation for clinical drug development and the support of patients in routine clinical practice. Reaney is particularly interested in understanding and embracing patient heterogeneity in defining outcome measures, such as benefit-risk and patient perception and preference, and improving healthcare through the careful measurement and feedback of relevant concepts. In addition, he is an active member of the Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes and Behavioural Research in Diabetes study groups, a co-chair of the Drug Information Association Study Endpoints Community, and a lecturer on the psychology program at Royal Holloway University of London. Prior to this, Reaney held HEOR and PCE roles in consulting and pharmaceutical companies. He is married with three very active children aged between 7 and 12. While he used to enjoy playing a variety of sports, he now spends most of his spare time annoying his children by forcing himself uninvited into their activities as a vocal supporter, coach, and taxi driver.