Why Patients Don’t Trust Clinical Trials — And How We Fix It

Welcome to Season 3 of Heart to Heart Talk — where we speak from the heart, for the heart.This season, we’re digging into clinical trials, trust, access, and the real human stories behind the science. And we’re kicking things off with a powerful conversation about why so many patients feel unsure about research — and what it actually takes to rebuild trust.Mary is joined by Dr. Marlyn Panchoo-Brookins, founder of Insightful Intellect. She works to make clinical trials more fair, inclusive, and easy to understand for real people in real communities. She breaks down barriers, teaches cultural competence, and brings patient voices into rooms where they’ve been missing for way too long.Together, they talk about:• Why mistrust is rooted in history and everyday life• How race, gender, and geography shape who gets included• Barriers like awareness, access, and education• Why cultural competence has to be real — not performative• What true listening looks like in patient care• How researchers and patients can meet in the middle• Simple ways to rebuild trust one step at a timeIf you’ve ever felt dismissed, unheard, or unsure where you fit in healthcare… this episode will meet you right where you are. These conversations can be tough, but they’re full of hope too. Every small step toward trust and respect matters.🧠 About Our Guest: Dr. Marlyn Panchoo-Brookins is the founder of Insightful Intellect and a leader in community engagement, cultural competence, and inclusive research practices. With over 15 years in life sciences and research, she helps teams understand the real barriers people face and teaches how to make research more equitable, ethical, and people-centered.Her work focuses on:✔ Breaking down mistrust through real, honest listening✔ Bringing research closer to the community✔ Improving awareness and education✔ Teaching cultural competence the right way✔ Centering patient voices in care and research🔗 LinkedIn: Dr. Brookins. 🔗 Insightful Intellect: About UsAbout HeartBridge CollectiveHeartBridge Collective is a patient-led community changing the way heart valve patients and caregivers connect, learn, and feel supported. We bridge real stories, lived experience, and expert insight so patients never have to walk this road alone. Through peer support, honest conversations, and advocacy that pushes the system forward, we’re building a space where every voice matters — and every heart has a place to land.⁠https://www.maryburrell.com/heartbridgecollective⁠Bridging hearts, minds, and innovation — one lived experience at a time.#Heart2HeartTalk #ClinicalTrials #HealthEquity #HeartBridgeCollective #PatientVoice #LivedExperience #MedicalInnovation #TricuspidValveMiracle #HospiceSurvivor #PatientEmpowerment