CNS Summit Panel Recap: Building Patient Trust in Psychiatry Trials

Last week at the CNS Summit, I had the privilege of moderating a panel on patient trust in psychiatry trials with:

• Dan Karlin, Chief Medical Officer at MindMed
• Kevin Craig , SVP Clinical Development at atai Life Sciences , and
• Michael Gold , Chief R&D Officer at Compass Pathways

Psychiatry research faces unique challenges in building trust, from the sensitive nature of mental health conditions to the hype surrounding new therapies like psychedelics. Here are the most important takeaways from our discussion:

1. Trust Begins with Understanding

Trust is rooted in understanding—patients need to fully understand what it means to participate in a clinical trial. This starts with clearly outlining the expectations of their role, what the study involves, and what they can anticipate throughout the process. Providing this level of understanding helps patients feel informed, respected, and confident in their decision to participate.

• Offer clear, accessible materials that explain the purpose of the trial, what participation entails, and how their involvement contributes to research.
• Take time during recruitment to walk patients through every step of the process, from data collection to follow-ups, ensuring nothing is left unclear.
• Use thoughtful language that reflects their role as partners in advancing science—some sites refer to participants as “volunteers,” emphasizing their contribution and agency.

2. Honesty over Hype

Transparency is critical, especially in psychiatry and psychedelic research, where expectations can often outpace evidence. Patients need clear, realistic explanations of what the trial involves and what outcomes are possible.

• Be upfront about risks, benefits, and the investigational nature of therapies.
• Share trial results—good or bad—so participants see the impact of their involvement.
• Manage expectations, especially in areas like psychedelics where public perception can skew reality.

3. The Site Experience is a Trust Driver

For many patients, the first visit to a site sets the tone for their entire experience. Every interaction, from the waiting room to the principal investigator, influences how they perceive the trial.

• Ensure sites are welcoming, organized, and patient-centered.
• Empower patients to meet with the principal investigator, which builds trust and strengthens the relationship.
• Create a consistent and transparent communication process at the site.

4. Patient Recruitment Sets the Tone

Recruitment is one of the first touch points for building trust. Most people have never participated in a clinical trial, so this is an opportunity for patients to learn about clinical research and whether participation may be a good fit for them.

• Provide clear and accessible information about the trial, including its purpose, eligibility criteria, and what participation involves, ensuring patients feel informed from the start.
• Guide patients through every step of the recruitment process, from pre-screening to enrollment, so they never feel lost or overwhelmed.
• Maintain consistent communication throughout the process, regularly checking in with patients to answer questions, address concerns, and provide updates, so they feel supported at every step.

Celebrate the Contribution of Participants

Trial participants are making sacrifices to advance science, and they deserve recognition. As one panelist put it, "Clinical trial participants should be national heroes.” Recognizing and valuing participants’ contributions fosters trust and reinforces their importance in the research process.

• With consent, share anonymized stories or testimonials from participants to demonstrate their role in driving innovation and inspire others to contribute.
• Consider inviting past participants to events or panels to share their experiences and provide feedback to researchers and sponsors.
• Acknowledge their impact and how their involvement contributes to breakthroughs in treatment.

Building Trust at Power

For us, trust is about empowering patients to connect with leading medical research. From simplifying the recruitment process to providing clear, accessible information, we’re committed to making every step as clear and easy as possible. By building trust with patients, we see over 70% of patients trust us with their medical records so that we can connect them with trials that are a match.

What’s one step your team is taking to strengthen trust in your trials? Would love to hear from you and share ideas - brandon@withpower.com

‍