Improving Access to Clinical Trials: A Conversation with Lightship Co-founder Sam Eells
Clinical trials play a pivotal role in advancing medicine and public health. However, traditional clinical trials often fail to provide adequate access and representation for diverse populations. In the latest episode of the HealthBiz Podcast, Samantha Eells — co-founder of Lightship — discussed her journey to revolutionizing clinical trials and improving the patient experience. Lightship aims to make clinical trials more accessible and patient-centric, with a focus on addressing health disparities.
Improving Access to Clinical Trials
Sam's passion for science and healthcare started early in her life, leading her to pursue a degree in biology and a minor in psychology at UC San Diego. Later, she went on to earn a degree in epidemiology from Emory University, focusing on study methodology and infectious diseases. After realizing that lab work felt isolating, Eells decided to pursue clinical research to make a direct impact on people's lives.
Her work at Harbor UCLA and the Department of Medicine at UCLA inspired her to create better patient experiences and address health disparities in clinical trials. This led to the founding of Lightship, a company that aims to improve patient experience, provide greater access, and offer more choices for clinical trial participants.
Clinical Trials and Public Health
Eells discussed the founding story behind Lightship, emphasizing the need for an organization that provides service-oriented clinical trials focused on improving patient experiences and increasing access and choice for participants. The relationship between clinical research and public health is crucial, as the pandemic has shifted the industry's focus from innovation to collaboration.
Eells says Lightship's customer-centric approach is a game-changer in the clinical trial industry. By considering social determinants of health and using technology to improve access, Lightship aims to create more inclusive clinical trials that better reflect the diversity of the population.
Clinical Trials and Sustainability
The podcast episode also touched on the importance of considering social determinants of health in clinical trials and the role environmental sustainability can play in shaping the future of research. The pandemic has significantly impacted the way clinical trials are conducted, with many shifting to remote or telemedicine-based approaches. Companies like Lightship are at the forefront of this change, working to create more efficient and ethical clinical trials that prioritize patient needs.
Conclusion
The conversation with Sam Ells sheds light on the critical role Lightship plays in revolutionizing clinical trials and improving public health. By prioritizing patient experiences and addressing health disparities,
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