A month of insights: Key takeaways from May’s conferences

May is always a whirlwind for our team, packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and share at some of the most impactful clinical trial and patient-focused conferences of the year. It’s a month where big ideas take centre stage; from technological innovation to patient-centric trial design, critical topics that shape the future of healthcare. Below, we’ve captured some highlights from four conferences that left us feeling inspired.

Transforming engagement at the Measuring Patient Engagement Summit, Boston

The Measuring Patient Engagement Summit offered a valuable space to explore how we can reshape engagement in healthcare. A common thread emerged throughout discussions: engagement must be “transformational, not just transactional.”

The summit showcased real-world initiatives driving change, refining trial protocols, and sparking informed conversations between patients and providers. However, true progress involves more than just patients; it calls for improved healthcare professional education, stronger caregiver support, and wider care team collaboration.

Amid the discussions about defining and measuring success, one point stood out: human stories and real-world impact matter just as much as the numbers.

- Scott Palmer, Principal Patient Writer

Championing equity at MAPS 2025 EMEA meeting, London

Patient engagement and health equity were standout themes at MAPS EMEA 2025, signalling a powerful shift in how Medical Affairs drives impact. The event highlighted a shift toward embedding real patient voices early and consistently, moving far beyond tokenism.

A drive for embedding real patient voices early and consistently to shape strategy, foster trust, and improve outcomes underpinned several of the impactful and thought-provoking workshops. As did the challenge to tackle the systemic barriers that create health inequities — it’s time to understand more fully the social determinants at play and design inclusive, community-focused approaches!

The message was clear and loud. We must listen deeply, collaborate widely, and learn continuously. Which, for those of us in patient engagement, is our rallying cry!

- Stacey Davidson, Head of Content and Strategy

Redefining co-creation at Patients as Partners EU, London

This year, Patients as Partners Europe asked not “why” but "how" we can better involve patients.

Conversations went beyond surface-level engagement, urging accountability and deeper co-creation. A key takeaway was this call to action: “Start with a blank sheet of paper and ask, ‘What are we trying to do?’” It’s a challenge to focus on people over processes.

Whether revamping trial designs or embedding patient voices consistently, the underlying theme was clear. Patients are co-owners of this process, not guests. The urgency and honesty shared across the event were compelling calls to transform intent into tangible impact.

- Sonal Patel, Content Director

Innovation and empathy at Global Clinical Trials Connect, London

At the Global Clinical Trials Connect conference, new technologies and an emphasis on participant needs are reshaping trial designs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was a major focus, revolutionising tasks like site selection, eligibility checks, and recruitment. A statistic shared during the event highlighted the potential impact of AI; 85% of patients invited to trials via their GP agree to share records, drastically reducing pre-screening workloads.

Still, technology isn’t the only key to progress. Empathy remains essential, with innovations like accessible ePRO interfaces and real-time participant feedback breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for patients to access life-changing care. These advancements underscore that impactful trials rely on both innovation and humanity.

- Katie Breen, Senior Patient Writer

May’s conferences were more than learning opportunities; they challenged us to rethink and reshape what’s possible. Across every event, one message was clear and inspiring: listen to patients, collaborate meaningfully, and push healthcare forward with empathy and innovation.

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