Clinical trial participation basics with Professor Carsten Flohr

In this episode of Life With a Difference, I’m joined by Professor Carsten Flohr, Professor of Dermatology at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London, and Consultant Dermatologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.Through my work as a patient advocate, I regularly encounter myths and misconceptions about clinical trials, from fears about being a “guinea pig” to concerns about safety, placebo, and being locked in once you start. This conversation is intended to help address those concerns and explain, in plain language, how clinical trials actually work.We also explore why trial participation is so vitally important. Without people choosing to take part, new medicines cannot be developed, tested, or approved. Clinical trials are the foundation of progress in medicine, and they are how safer, more effective treatments reach patients who desperately need them.What we cover00:00 Intro00:31 Who Professor Flohr is and why clinical trials matter02:20 How medicines are developed, from discovery to post-marketing monitoring03:50 Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 explained04:20 MHRA, NICE and NHS commissioning in the UK06:05 QALYs and how NICE assesses value for money08:10 What a clinical trial actually is09:05 Common myths and misconceptions about trial participation10:00 Trial design, washout periods and independent oversight13:10 What a trial visit looks like in real life16:30 Endpoints, placebo and open-label extensions18:20 Your right to withdraw at any time19:05 What happens when a trial ends21:50 Why diversity in trials matters and who is under-represented24:40 Reimbursement, remote trials and patient involvement30:15 How to find clinical trials and trusted resources38:05 Final advice for patients considering researchResources mentionedUK Clinical Trials GatewayClinicalTrials.govUK Dermatology Clinical Trials NetworkBritish Skin FoundationNational Eczema SocietyPsoriasis AssociationNIHRSponsorship and transparencyThis episode was sponsored by Novartis. Novartis had no editorial control over the content. This episode is non-promotional, for educational purposes only, and does not provide medical advice. No medicines are discussed or endorsed. Always speak to your clinician or research team for personal medical guidance.