Understanding the patient experience took center stage as Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences students and faculty participated in the OneVoice Symposium: The Patient Perspective at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Durham.
Presented by the Research Triangle Park Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), the in-person event brought participants together to explore the patient perspective in clinical trials.
Campbell’s student participants included three senior Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research students, one student pursuing dual studies in pharmaceutical sciences and clinical research, and three faculty members. They were joined by Susan Misciagno, assistant professor; Kerry Finch, assistant professor; and Vanessa Ayer Miller, associate professor, all in the Department of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences.
The students are enrolled in CLNR 415: Ethics and CLNR 364: Principles of Clinical Research, making the symposium particularly relevant to their coursework. Through panel discussions and individual speaker sessions, students heard about patients’ experiences entering clinical trials and connected those perspectives with concepts they are studying in class.
“Students were highly engaged and excited to see the connection between course content and the clinical research industry as they learned about the patient experience throughout the informed consent, enrollment, and clinical trial participation process,” said Susan Misciagno, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences.
Hearing these perspectives gave students an opportunity to consider how research practices affect individuals. Discussions about the patient experience added context to their study of ethics and clinical research principles, reinforcing the importance of considering participants’ needs throughout the research process.
The symposium also provided opportunities for students and faculty to network with clinical research professionals. Students practiced introducing themselves professionally, learned from people working in the field, and began building relationships as they prepare for their careers.
Attendees also had the opportunity to tour mobile research units from Lightship and 20/20 Onsite and learn how these resources can support patient-centered study design.
Experiences like the OneVoice Symposium extend learning beyond the classroom, connecting students with the professional conversations shaping their field. For Campbell students, the event bridged academic preparation and industry practice while reinforcing the human purpose behind clinical research: advancing knowledge and improving patient care.