Precision medicine promises to provide cost-effective health care solutions to stratified patient populations. A hallmark of the precision medicine approach is mapping patients’ clinical pathways to outcomes. Researchers have used flexible software environments, such as R, and discrete event simulation (DES) to reflect individual patient trajectories. Researchers may adapt these models for different biomarkers, therapies, and prevention strategies for specific diseases. Open-source modeling (OSM), which shares underlying code alongside transparent reporting, can support the iterative development of models and application to other populations. The adoption of OSM for economic evaluation may alleviate the challenge of developing complex decision models in precision medicine while raising new concerns.

The OSM Special Interest Group (SIG) has selected leaders in the field to explore the value of OSM in precision medicine. The session will consider whether precision medicine constitutes the ideal context to further open-source initiatives. Chris Sampson will introduce the topic, outlining the value of OSM practices and some perceived challenges to their adoption. Susan Snyder will provide an overview of the complexities of economic evaluation in precision medicine, describing her work developing a generic pharmacogenomic cost-effectiveness model. Deborah Marshall will use applied examples to discuss the value of open-source practices for data federation to inform analysis and modeling of clinical pathways and treatment trajectories in genomic medicine. Erik Koffijberg will share practical insights from his work using DES, including the importance of transparent reporting of methods, modular approaches to modeling, and how this can contribute to sustainable research practices. The forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the intersection of these two critical developments in decision modeling methods and practice, exploring technical aspects and strategic questions. Each speaker will present one polling question to facilitate audience participation, and at least 20 minutes of the session will be reserved for a moderated discussion.