Opinion
Video
EoE Care Challenges: A Caregiver's Shared Journey
Elizabeth Spencer, MD, shares experiences as a caregiver to an adult with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), discussing challenges with therapy and insurance, and shedding light on how these experiences also might impact pediatric caregivers.
This is a video synopsis/summary of an Insights involving Elizabeth Spencer, MD.
Spencer relates her experience as a caregiver to her husband, who has eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Despite current therapy options, frustration comes from trying multiple unsuccessful treatments before finding one that works, while still potentially needing dilations. This process requires coaching patients on resilience and maintaining hope. Her husband finally responded well to the new monoclonal antibody therapy after several failed trials. This helps Spencer empathize with patients facing similar struggles.
She expresses that prior authorizations significantly obstruct patient care, requiring weeks for approval or dose adjustments. More physician advocacy is needed given the negative impact on outcomes. However, some drug manufacturers have patient assistance programs providing free medication if insurance denies coverage. Ideally, the only FDA-approved drug for EoE wouldn’t involve such difficulties. Sometimes flexibility in choosing between similar agents makes approval easier. Overall, the authorization obstacles remain very frustrating and disheartening for those wanting to use novel therapies.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.
