This book explores in depth the phenomenon of user innovation in healthcare. In particular, the book sheds light on patient innovation, whereby patients and/or caregivers proactively develop and diffuse new products and services that provide health and quality of life benefits by addressing gaps in existing market offerings. The aim is to clarify the key characteristics of these innovative processes and to offer practitioners and policymakers tangible bottom-up evidence, solutions, and ideas that will assist in improving health systems, organizations, and practices. A number of important and interesting research questions are addressed, casting light on the types of products and services that tend to be developed by patient innovators, the typical profile of these innovators, the role played by firms, institutions, and health professionals, and the ways in which digital technologies support the dissemination of innovations among patient communities and within the industry. Beyond academic scholars and policymakers, the book will be of high value for students on master's programs in both medical sciences and business and economics.

Francesco Schiavone is an Associate Professor in Management at Parthenope University of Naples, Italy. He is also an Affiliated Professor in Innovation Management at Paris School of Business and Visiting Professor at University of Nice (France). He received a PhD in network economics and knowledge management from the Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy) in 2006. In April 2017, he completed his habilitation to become recognized as a Full Professor in Management by the Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MIUR). Currently, his main research areas are technology management, strategic innovation, communities of practice, and healthcare management and innovation.