Bringing the Consumer Experience to Clinical Research

In this episode of Power to the Patients, Srinivas Pai sits down with Katie Baca-Motes, Co-Founder at Scripps Research Digital Trial Center, to discuss how clinical research can learn from consumer industries to create better patient experiences. They explore advancements in digital clinical trials, behavioral science, patient-centric design, and the importance of diversity and equity in research. Katie also shares her unique insights from her time at Disney and her vision for transforming clinical research into a more inclusive and engaging space.   Key Takeaways: Patient-Centric Design: Clinical research often prioritizes researcher convenience over patient experience. Katie advocates designing trials with patients as true partners, incorporating motivations beyond financial incentives, such as learning, community, and altruism. Diversity and Equity: Building diversity into clinical trials from the planning stage is essential. Katie highlights the importance of including representative voices early on and addressing barriers like geographical and digital divides. Digital as a Bridge: Digital tools are not just for convenience; they can bridge gaps in access to clinical trials for underserved populations, especially in rural areas. Learning from Consumer Industries: Drawing from her experience at Disney, Katie stresses the importance of creating a seamless and engaging experience for participants. From onboarding to returning results, every touchpoint should enhance patient trust and retention. Reducing Barriers Through Behavioural Science: Katie highlights how applying behavioral science principles, like A/B testing and understanding participant motivations, can address key drop-off points in clinical trials. This approach ensures that trials are not just functional but also participant-friendly.