Thought leaders gather to find a path to more inclusive, effective clinical trials

The Texas A&M Health conference, “Finding Solutions to Barriers in Clinical Trials,” held on July 19, 2024, at TMC3 in Houston, Texas, served as a platform for addressing ongoing challenges in human clinical research studies. This day-long event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including public health professionals, clinical professionals and leaders in digital health innovation to engage in thought-provoking discussions that explored the challenges hindering clinical trials and the path toward a more inclusive and effective clinical research framework.

The opening session focused on the social and community-based barriers that prevent individuals from participating in clinical trials. Moderated by Dr. George Udeani, the panel featured insights from Dr. Deborah Vollmer Dahlke, Dr. Jason B. Moats, Dr. Amanda J. Onwuka, Dr. Veronica Sandoval and Dr. Salim R. Surani. These thought leaders emphasized the importance of community engagement, robust emergency management plans, and strategies for improving mental health support and local outreach programs. The discussion underscored the need to bridge the gap between research and the communities it strives to serve.

The afternoon session shifted focus to the clinical considerations that can hinder trial design and execution. Moderated by Dr. Kenneth S. Ramos, the panel included Dr. Joy Alonzo, Dr. Jaime E. Fergie, Dr. Joseph B. McCormick and Erin Richmond. The discussion covered challenges related to the inclusion of underserved rural and minority populations in clinical trials and highlighted the need for systemic changes to improve access to health care. The panelists shared their experiences establishing clinical research units in underserved areas and addressed financial considerations to support decentralized clinical trials.

The final session focused on the technical aspects of clinical trials and how advancements in digital health can streamline the process. Moderated by Jim Colson, the panel featured Wout Brusselaers, Michael Glassman, Dr. Hongfang Liu and Matthew Quinn. The session explored the role of artificial intelligence, telehealth technologies and user-centered design in streamlining trial processes and improving data collection. It emphasized the importance of selecting appropriate clinical sites and the need for alignment ensuring geographically diverse participation.

The “Finding Solutions to Barriers in Clinical Trials” conference served as a testament to the power of collaboration. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders from multiple institutions across Texas, the conference fostered open dialogue and a shared commitment to overcoming the challenges hindering clinical research and the conduct of clinical trials. The various perspectives offered by the speakers—from community engagement to technical innovation—painted a comprehensive picture of the current landscape and charted a path toward a future where clinical trials are more inclusive, efficient and, ultimately, beneficial to a wider segment of the population.