In this interview, we explore clinical trial technology’s impact on diversity and inclusion. Ali Holland from Medable shares insights on how digital trials enhance diverse participation. This discussion explores Medable’s strategies for engaging underrepresented populations, the role of digital solutions in patient engagement, and the future of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs) in addressing healthcare disparities.
Moe: Despite the FDA diversity plan’s disappearance, how does Medable keep underrepresented groups engaged in trials?
In my view, diversity and inclusion are essential to clinical trial integrity. At Medable, we focus on improving accessibility and awareness among underrepresented populations. Traditional informed consent forms can be lengthy and complex, creating barriers to participation. We make information more digestible and engaging by transforming these forms into digital experiences with infographics and diagrams. This approach has been validated through our collaboration with Duke University, where enhanced consenting processes improved patient satisfaction and increased retention rates. Retaining participants is crucial for ensuring data completeness, which is vital for the success of any clinical trial.
Moe: Which DCT components improve diversity, and how can we better engage Black or African American communities?
Engaging diverse communities requires a multifaceted approach. Trust and transparency are key, especially in communities historically underserved in clinical research. We leverage familiar technologies, like smartphones, to make participation more accessible. For those without access, we provide devices to eliminate barriers. An interesting finding from our data is that allowing participants to engage with trials through local, familiar settings, like their neighborhood pharmacy, significantly increases participation. For instance, we observed a 38% increase in participation among Black or African American communities when trials included local elements. This suggests that while digital solutions are essential, integrating community-based options can enhance trust and comfort, leading to greater diversity in trial participation.
Moe: Have you seen patterns in which conditions benefit most from DCTs in improving diversity?
The benefits of DCTs can vary significantly depending on the condition being studied. A lightweight, community-based approach is most effective for high-volume vaccine trials, which involve healthy participants and require a quick turnaround. These trials benefit from being easily accessible and minimally invasive. In contrast, oncology trials involving patients with complex needs require a more intensive and supportive approach. We provide comprehensive resources, such as patient resource centers and frequent updates, to ensure participants feel supported throughout the trial. This tailored approach, which includes input from our patient council, ensures that each trial is designed with its participants’ specific needs and preferences, ultimately improving diversity and patient satisfaction.
Moe: How does Medable balance cost efficiency with meaningful patient engagement for underserved communities?
Balancing cost efficiency with patient engagement is a core principle at Medable. We aim to connect patients and sites, transforming industry standards to reduce trial times and bring more drugs to market faster. By focusing on patient engagement, we improve adherence and completion rates, reducing the number of participants needed and lowering costs. For example, our well-designed study workflows, which include reminders and engagement points, have resulted in adherence rates of over 85%, compared to the industry standard of 65%. This enhances efficiency and ensures that trials are meaningful and accessible to all participants, particularly those from underserved communities.
Moe: What new dimensions should be explored to refine DCTs’ role in addressing healthcare disparities?
As I see it, we need to refine how we measure success in clinical trials. Traditional outcome measures often focus solely on scientific metrics, but we must consider what truly matters to patients. This is especially important in fields like mental health, where traditional measures have been inconsistent. We can develop new ways to assess patient experiences and outcomes by leveraging AI and observational data. This will allow us to better understand treatments’ impact on patients’ lives and address healthcare disparities more effectively. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that clinical trials are scientifically rigorous but also patient-centered and inclusive.
Moe Alsumidaie is Chief Editor of The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Moe holds decades of experience in the clinical trials industry. Moe also serves as Head of Research at CliniBiz and Chief Data Scientist at Annex Clinical Corporation.
