Social and Behavioral Science: The Missing Ingredient to Successful Clinical Trials

ABSTRACT

This talk considers the role of social and behavioral science at every stage of the clinical trial process from design to enrolment, participation, retention and outcomes. Based on a review of the literature and three decades' experience as a social scientist conducting leading HIV and COVID studies, it argues that understanding human behavior and decision-making alongside the context in which these decisions are made are key to effective, efficient and quality clinical trials.