RareSim – Reducing diagnostic error

About RareSim

RareSim is the first digital simulation platform for rare diseases. The aim of the platform, set up by SimforHealth, is to implement training and scientific content to be used for information or education in order to raise awareness among non-specialist health professionals to help combat diagnostic error.

1 million
Patients worldwide
1 000
Diseases identified
0 years
Of diagnostic error for more than a quarter of patients

Supported by :

The origins of RareSim

As rare diseases often evolve and cause serious problem, the development of innovative solutions in addition to medication is vitally important for patient care. This is why SimforHealth has responded to the “Improving screening and diagnostic delay’s” call for projects run by “Coalition Next“, proposing the creation of a digital simulation platform for rare diseases.

Purpose of the platform

The purpose of the platform is to raise health professional’s awareness of different rare diseases starting with a first simulator oh the “Culture of Doubt”. These first simulators will contribute to maintaining the culture of doubt necessary to reduce delays in patient care, avoid diagnostic errors and inappropriate and unnecessary treatments, and reduce the need medical appointments.

Project participants

Firms already engaged in therapeutic research and innovation to treat patients with rare diseases, Ipsen France, Novartis France, Pfizer France and Takeda France, as members of “Coalition Next” decided to support SimforHealth’s project to bring significant improvements in this area, where medical needs are currently not being met.

Why support this project collectively ?

  • Supporting health professionals in the early diagnosis of rare diseases is a priority issue for healthcare and research. Ipsen, along with others in the rare diseases ecosystem, is engaged in developing innovative solutions. With the tools developed by SimforHealth, we hope to reduce diagnostic and therapeutic error so that patients have rapid access to expertise, innovation and appropriate care.

    Jérôme Klein
    Business Unit Head, Nerosciences & Rare Diseases, Ipsen
  • Because disease is already a heavy burden to carry for patients and their families, removing all obstacles from the care pathway in France is an urgent priority. Diagnostic error can have serious consequences for people suffering from rare diseases and more widely, for a large number of illnesses. As a healthcare firm, we have a responsibility to act, and that is why we are proud to support Coalition Next and the development of this digital simulation platform specifically for rare diseases. We believe that new technologies are already offering and will continue to offer better access to diagnosis and more broadly to care for patients in France and throughout the world.

    Photo portrait de Gaelle Recourse Richard, directrice innovation data et digital chez Novartis
    Gaëlle Recourse Richard
    Head of Innovation Data & Digital, Novartis
  • Obtaining a diagnosis of a rare disease is a long and difficult path for patients. In France, it takes up to 5 years to obtain a diagnosis for a rare disease and only one in two people is given an accurate diagnosis. Late detection means a loss of opportunity for patients. To reduce diagnostic error in the case of rare diseases, digital innovation is also very important. That is why we immediately offered our support for this technology and expertise to train health professionals using a digital simulator.

    Photo portrait de Valérie Rizzi Puéchal, directrice de l'unité Maladies rares chez Pfizer France
    Valérie Rizzi-Puéchal
    Rare Diseases Lead, Pfizer France
  • Because there are so many different rare diseases, it is vital for health professionals to have the means to diagnose patients as quickly as possible and thus to reduce diagnostic error. We believe that collaboration between industry professionals, digital experts and incubators is key in the treatment of rare diseases; the digital platform proposed by SimforHealth, with support from Coalition Next, is a concrete example that will lead to patients receiving care sooner.

    Photo portrait de Houda Tazi-Lavergne, directrice BU maladies rares chez Takeda France
    Houda Tazi-Lavergne
    Business Unit Head, Rare Diseases, Takeda France
  • Because there are so many different rare diseases, it is vital for health professionals to have the means to diagnose patients as quickly as possible and thus to reduce diagnostic error. We believe that collaboration between industry professionals, digital experts and incubators is key in the treatment of rare diseases; the digital platform proposed by SimforHealth, with support from Coalition Next, is a concrete example that will lead to patients receiving care sooner.

    Photo portrait de Pascal Bécache et de Didier Tranchier, cofondateurs de Digital Pharma Lab
    Pascal Bécache et Didier Tranchier
    Co-funders of Digital Pharma Lab

Digital simulation

According to the French HAS, simulation in healthcare means « the use of equipment virtual reality or a standardised patient to reproduce healthcare sirtuations or environments…».

Digital simulation is the use of tools such as computers, tablets or even virtual reality for a virtual patient consultation. As in real life, you can interact with the patient, view their medical notes, carry out a clinical examination, and much more.

This simulation method can be used to develop good habits and maintain knowledge in order to be better prepared for treating patients by practising virtually. It is by facing a situation that we truly learn how to deal with it.

About

SimforHealth

SimforHealth is a publisher that specialises in training health professionals through digital simulation.

Using its expertise in three different areas, the team develops technologically and scientifically powerful software suitable for the needs of health professionals.

  • Medical expertise
  • Educational expertise
  • Scientific expertise

With more than 150,000 health professionals having been trained on its simulators, SimforHealth is an expert in its field.

About
Coalition Next

An unique French initiative designed to accelerate innovative health projects for healthcare service providers and patient associations.

Run by Digital Pharma Lab, Europe’s leading independent PharmaTech accelerator, whose founder members are from the healthcare industry, AP-HP healthcare facilities, the IMAGINE Institute, Harmonie Mutuelle, and patient associations. Supported by Angels Santé, and innovators like BPI France, France Digitiale and France Biotech, which chairs the Ethics Committee.

Its mission is to call for projects on specific subjects to encourage the adoption of e-health solutions for all patients. These solutions meet needs previously expressed by health professionals and healthcare establishments. In addition to this, “Coalition Next” also works on digital health and its widespread deployment among all those working in the healthcare system.

Would you like to contribute ?

Take part in the RareSim project