News
November 19, 2025
J&J pushes to elevate patient voices in Asia
Up to 77% of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer in Asia-Pacific rely almost entirely on their physicians to decide their treatment, even though 69% of physicians say they encourage shared decision-making. That disconnect remains one of the region’s biggest obstacles to improving outcomes, Anthony Elgamal, vice president of Oncology Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, told BioWorld.
**J&J Aims to Empower Asian Lung Cancer Patients in Treatment Decisions**
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is spearheading efforts to amplify the voices of patients battling non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative comes in response to a significant gap between physician perception and patient experience regarding treatment decisions.
According to Anthony Elgamal, Vice President of Oncology Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, a concerning trend has emerged: a vast majority of patients in the region, a staggering 77%, are largely deferring to their doctors when it comes to choosing their treatment paths. This reliance on physician-led decisions occurs despite a contrasting perspective from healthcare professionals. Elgamal highlighted to BioWorld that 69% of doctors in the Asia-Pacific region claim they actively promote shared decision-making with their patients.
This disconnect presents a major hurdle in enhancing treatment outcomes for NSCLC patients in Asia. Shared decision-making, where patients actively participate in discussions about their care and treatment options, is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of effective cancer management. It fosters a sense of ownership, improves adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately leads to better quality of life for patients.
"The goal is to bridge this gap and empower patients with the knowledge and confidence to actively participate in their treatment journey," explained Elgamal. While specific strategies were not detailed, the J&J initiative likely involves educational programs for patients and healthcare providers, aimed at fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making. Such programs could focus on explaining treatment options in accessible language, addressing patient concerns and anxieties, and encouraging doctors to actively solicit patient input.
By prioritizing patient involvement, J&J hopes to improve patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and ultimately, the overall success of lung cancer treatment across the Asia-Pacific region. This push for patient empowerment signals a shift towards a more collaborative and patient-centric approach to oncology care.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is spearheading efforts to amplify the voices of patients battling non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative comes in response to a significant gap between physician perception and patient experience regarding treatment decisions.
According to Anthony Elgamal, Vice President of Oncology Asia Pacific at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, a concerning trend has emerged: a vast majority of patients in the region, a staggering 77%, are largely deferring to their doctors when it comes to choosing their treatment paths. This reliance on physician-led decisions occurs despite a contrasting perspective from healthcare professionals. Elgamal highlighted to BioWorld that 69% of doctors in the Asia-Pacific region claim they actively promote shared decision-making with their patients.
This disconnect presents a major hurdle in enhancing treatment outcomes for NSCLC patients in Asia. Shared decision-making, where patients actively participate in discussions about their care and treatment options, is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of effective cancer management. It fosters a sense of ownership, improves adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately leads to better quality of life for patients.
"The goal is to bridge this gap and empower patients with the knowledge and confidence to actively participate in their treatment journey," explained Elgamal. While specific strategies were not detailed, the J&J initiative likely involves educational programs for patients and healthcare providers, aimed at fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making. Such programs could focus on explaining treatment options in accessible language, addressing patient concerns and anxieties, and encouraging doctors to actively solicit patient input.
By prioritizing patient involvement, J&J hopes to improve patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and ultimately, the overall success of lung cancer treatment across the Asia-Pacific region. This push for patient empowerment signals a shift towards a more collaborative and patient-centric approach to oncology care.
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