🎙️ Just launched the Merakoi Patient Voice Podcast, and while I’m definitely still learning the ropes of podcasting (note to self: invest in better lighting!), our first guest Ella Balasa absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Here’s the thing about patient engagement - running annual advisory boards with professional advocates just isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s like trying to build Ikea furniture by only checking the blueprint at the end (yes, I’m guilty of this).

Ella shared some powerful insights about why continuous patient involvement matters. As she pointed out, when a clinical research team invites patients to be active co-designers from the start, they’re not just checking boxes - they’re building trust and creating meaningful partnerships that can impact an entire R&D program for many years.

Key takeaways from our conversation:
• The critical gap between how we design trials and what patients actually need
• Why feeling like “just another number” damages trial retention
• How patient co-design can lead to faster enrollment and better outcomes

If you listen to just one rookie podcaster this week, skip my awkward intros and focus on Ella’s wisdom about transforming patient engagement. Trust me, it’s worth your time.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gse3rPk5

#PatientEngagement #ClinicalTrials #HealthcareInnovation #PatientVoice #PodcastNewbie