In the latest episode of The Genetics Podcast, host Patrick Short interviews Mark Taylor, Head of Strategic Partnerships at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK. During their conversation, Mark offers insights from his dual perspective as a leader in health research and as someone living with multiple sclerosis (MS). They discuss advancements in healthcare, the barriers to introducing new technologies into the National Health Service (NHS), and how engaging with underrepresented communities will shape the future of medical research.
Understanding the NIHR’s role in health research
Mark begins by providing an overview of the NIHR, an organization that funds and supports world-class health and social care research aimed at improving public health and promoting economic growth. Funded by the UK’s Department of Health, the NIHR collaborates with the NHS, universities, local governments, and international partners to address healthcare challenges in both the UK and low- and middle-income countries. As Head of Strategic Partnerships, Mark identifies system-wide issues that hinder innovation and works to bring diverse stakeholders together to find collaborative solutions.
Driving healthcare advancements forward
Mark discusses the importance of co-designing innovations with both patients and healthcare systems to ensure new solutions are more likely to be adopted and implemented. Using examples from his current projects, he highlights how engaging with NHS professionals and patients early in the innovation process can uncover stakeholders who might influence the adoption of a new solution.
Mark’s advice to innovators: stop selling and start listening. Engaging with the broader patient community, beyond just a few individuals, is crucial to understanding the true needs of the population. Mark suggests using the NHS Innovation Service, which provides resources and support for small businesses looking to engage with the healthcare system.
Building trust with underrepresented groups
Mark shares insights from his work on improving engagement with faith-based groups in research. He believes this approach is crucial to ensuring diversity in future clinical trials, especially since some groups are hesitant to engage with the healthcare system, often due to historical mistrust or communication barriers.
His current research focuses on building long-term, equitable relationships with these communities; he stresses the importance of tailored approaches that respect each group's unique cultural and religious contexts. While there is still a lot of work to be done, the goal should not just be to collect data and disappear, but to build trust and ensure these communities feel heard and respected throughout the research process.
If you'd like to learn more about the importance of diversity in clinical trials, check out our whitepaper, "Inclusive genomics: A path to equitable precision medicine."
The future of patient-centric innovation
Throughout the episode, Mark emphasizes the importance of patient engagement and co-design in healthcare innovation. The more innovators can understand and integrate patient needs into their designs, the more likely their solutions will be successfully adopted by the NHS. He also notes that healthcare innovation requires more than just clinical buy-in—it demands collaboration across various sectors within the NHS, including management, nursing staff, and pharmacists.
Listen now:
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