International Patient Engagement Day 2025 has been launched by the International Society for Patient Engagement Professionals (ISPEP) to celebrate the growing global community of professionals driving meaningful change in patient engagement.
On 15 October, patient engagement professionals around the globe connected with this year’s theme of ‘Carry the Change’ by raising their hands and declaring: “I’m a Change Champion”.
This action highlights the essential role of patient engagement professionals in embedding patient perspectives into health systems, research and policy – and in ensuring that change is sustained and scaled worldwide.
“Patient engagement is no longer a side conversation – it’s a professional discipline with real impact,” said Emma Sutcliffe, Chief Patient Officer at ISPEP. “This year’s theme, Carry the Change, celebrates the people who are not only sparking change, but ensuring it lasts. Patient engagement professionals are the bridge between ideas and action, between commitment and real transformation.”
With more than 2,000 members across 60 countries, ISPEP represents patient organisations, healthcare systems, regulatory bodies, academia and industry. Through regional chapters and working groups, members work together to address shared challenges, exchange best practices and strengthen the global patient engagement ecosystem.
International Patient Engagement Day is marked as a call to action for governments, health systems, organisations and individuals to recognise and invest in patient engagement professionals as essential agents of change.
“Carrying the change means moving beyond good intentions to building structures that last,” added Alexandra Charge, CEO of ISPEP. “It’s about ensuring patient engagement is professionally supported, resourced and embedded at every level.”