August 18, 2017: Behavioral Economics: A Versatile Tool for Clinical Research – From Interventions to Participant Engagement

Speaker

Charlene Wong, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Duke Clinical Research Institute
Margolis Center for Health Policy
Duke University

Topic

Behavioral Economics: A Versatile Tool for Clinical Research – From Interventions to Participant Engagement

Keywords

Pragmatic clinical trial; Clinical research; Behavioral economics

Key Points

  • Behavioral economics can be used to motivate behavior change in lifestyle, medicine adherence, and clinical recommendations.
  • Behavioral economics can inform intervention design for motivating behavior change, and inform strategies for increasing enrollment and retention.
  • Types of incentives in behavioral economics include monetary, nonmonetary, privileges, and informational incentives.
  • In behavioral economics, incentive delivery and choice environment are critical.

Discussion Themes

When incentives are taken away at the end of a study, the desired behavior trails off. Social networks and support can help sustain behavior changes.

The design and delivery of an incentive is important, in order to avoid the “undue influence” effect outlined in the Belmont Report.

Further research is needed to determine how to best tailor financial incentives for young people.

For More Information

For more information on behavioral economics, follow @DrCharleneWong #pctGR

Tags

@Collaboratory1, @DrCharleneWong, #BehavioralEconomics, #pctGR